Summary
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hit back at Donald Trump’s accusation that Ukraine started its war with Russia, saying that Trump is trapped in a “disinformation bubble” and adding that his country was not for sale.
He rejected Trump’s claim that Kyiv could have avoided the war and defended U.S. aid.
Referring to U.S. support—$67 billion in weapons and $31.5 billion in budgetary aid—Zelenskyy dismissed demands for $500 billion in minerals as “not a serious conversation.”
Moscow welcomed Trump’s remarks, further fueling concerns about his foreign policy approach.
Zelensky has been very careful not to burn the Trump bridge prematurely, but Trump’s Russia misinformation comments seem to have turned the tide.
Trump was just baiting and waiting, and this response unfortunately likely took the bait (though who can blame him, it’s all true). So I think this is the turning point and will give Trump an excuse to lash out by revoking aid, and jointly propose a “peace” treaty with Russia that gives Russia substantial parts of Ukraine.
I think this only makes a few weeks difference to the withdrawal of US military support. The deal Trump and Russia are putting together should not be thought of as an attempt to end the war, but the creation of a pretense for the withdrawal of support. The terms that will be offered to Ukraine will be completely, and intentionally, unacceptable to Ukraine and Europe. Ukraine will refuse and the US will name it as the justification for walking away.
Don’t rule out the possibility of Trump deploying US troops to attack Ukraine and point their weapons at our European allies. He is that much of a Russian puppet.
The EU just came up with $730 billion in war funding. Sidelining them (including Ukraine) was a huge fucking mistake by the fascists and I’m here for it.
Shouldn’t Congress have some say in this? Has anyone queried Trump’s taint to ask them?