Well, folks, we just witnessed what might go down as one of the most spectacular diplomatic faceplants in modern history. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sat down with Donald Trump in the Oval Office, and let’s just say, if he thought he was going to charm Trump into sending more blank checks, he severely miscalculated.
Instead of a slick negotiation, Zelensky delivered a masterclass in how to alienate the guy holding the purse strings—all while broadcasting his blunder to the entire world. Bravo, Volodymyr. Bravo.
When Diplomacy Meets a Brick Wall
Zelensky apparently thought it would be a good idea to march into the Oval Office, look Trump in the eye, and lecture him about how he “can’t trust Putin.” Oh, really? Because Trump has been the one arming Ukraine with billions in military aid, right? Oh, wait—no, that was sleepy Joe Biden.
Trump, in classic Trump fashion, cut through the noise and got straight to the point—acknowledging the bravery and resilience of the Ukrainian people but making it clear that there’s no realistic path to “winning” this war. No amount of foreign aid or wishful thinking can change the harsh reality on the ground, and continuing on this trajectory is like expecting Kamala Harris to deliver a speech without an awkward, baffling word salad—it’s just not happening.
Trump’s Reality Check: “You’re Not Winning”
At one point, Trump straight-up told Zelensky:
“Your country is in big trouble. You’re not winning.”
Oof. That’s gotta sting. But hey, facts don’t care about feelings.
Trump went on to remind Zelensky that the U.S. has sent Ukraine a cool $350 billion and that without American weapons, this war would have been over in two weeks—and not in Ukraine’s favor.
It was a rare moment of brutal honesty in politics. No sugarcoating, no false optimism—just a hard reality check. But instead of adjusting his approach, Zelensky kept pushing the same tired narrative and practically begged for more aid.
Zelensky’s Disastrous Media Optics
Here’s where things went from bad to worse. Instead of using this meeting to strengthen U.S.-Ukraine relations, Zelensky picked a public fight with Trump right there in the Oval Office.
Bad move. Very bad move.
If there’s one thing we know about Trump, it’s that he doesn’t play nice when he’s being disrespected. And yet, Zelensky thought he could get away with:
✔️ Interrupting Trump
✔️ Trying to dictate U.S. policy
✔️ Arguing in front of cameras instead of behind closed doors
Someone might want to hand Zelensky a copy of The Art of the Deal because clearly, he has no idea how to negotiate.
The Media’s Predictable Meltdown
Of course, the left-wing media went into full meltdown mode, accusing Trump of being “Putin’s puppet” and claiming that his refusal to write another blank check for Ukraine means he’s “helping Moscow.”
Right, because questioning the hundreds of billions of dollars being sent overseas means you love Putin. Makes sense.
CNN, MSNBC, and every blue-check liberal on Twitter started throwing tantrums, saying things like:
🚨 “Trump is doing Putin’s bidding!”
🚨 “Zelensky was ambushed!”
🚨 “Trump is undermining Ukraine’s war effort!”
Meanwhile, back in reality, most Americans are wondering why we’re still sending money to a war that has no clear endgame.
Democrats Want Endless War—Trump Wants Peace
The real takeaway from this mess? The Democrats have no strategy for ending this war.
For years, they’ve treated Ukraine as their personal money laundering operation, funneling billions into it while making zero progress toward an actual peace deal. They’re not interested in stopping the war—they’re interested in keeping the gravy train rolling.
Trump, on the other hand, wants an actual solution. He’s made it clear that he’s not playing Biden’s game of infinite aid with no conditions. And if Zelensky wants to keep U.S. support, he’s going to have to play by Trump’s rules, not Biden’s.
But based on what we just saw, Zelensky isn’t ready for that reality yet. And that might just be his biggest mistake yet.
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JIMMY
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I don’t think what we’ve spent on Ukraine is anywhere near $350B. I’ve seen credible reports at ~$108B.
It’s not clear to me that Russia couldn’t be put on the ropes in 90 days with better sanctions support and more long range precision strikes. Certainly two retired Generals seem to think that’s possible (Hodges and Keane).
I can’t believe DJT says he thinks we can trust Putin. Putin has broken ever cease fire and deal he’s ever signed.
Locking out the Europeans but telling them if anyone’s going to send in a security force it’s gonna be them – well, that’s not a good look. I can see where people (who have admittedly been free riding on the USA for decades) might take offense.
If the Russians come back in 5 years and they’ve spent that time rebuilding their military, we may come to regret this.
Last, Xi Jinpeng is watching and if he gets the impression that we want peace more than the Ukrainians do, he may decide we’re a pushover about Taiwan. That REALLY IS an existential threat IMHO, including the use of USD as the world’s reserve currency.
This many be the right course of action but color me skeptical.
Zelenskyy screwed the pooch yesterday. He way underestimated how tuff that President Trump can become when trying to be helpful in situations and the other party wants to try to set the rules. Trump is an absolute master at negotiations and making deals. Zelenskyy didn’t realize that he was severely outmatched and realize it was time to listen and understand rather than talking and making the situation worse. I hope he comes to his senses, and comes back with hat in hand and ends up putting a deal together and we can see an end to the “killing fields”! Two world leaders you do NOT want to cross are Trump and Netanyahu!! Both are very strong willed and dismantle those who cross them! I feel badly for the people of Ukraine!
NO!!!!!! JESSICA, YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IS ACTUALLY GOING ON BEHIND THE SCENES!!!!!!
Zelenskyy had a rude awakening yesterday. There’s a new sheriff in town. His condescending, belligerent attitude towards the White House, the Oval Office, the President and the USA citizens did him no good. His body language, his attire, his egregious behavior proved he thinks he is entitled. NO MORE!!! IMO, the left is saying that President Trump and VP Vance planned an ambush. No. They ent into this meeting fully expecting everything to flow smoothly to include the signing. No, I think Zelenskyy planned the ambush by all his demands at the least minute. It was obvious he came with that in mind – look at his attire.
The entire mess can be summed up in the picture of the Ukraine ambassador to the USA holding her head in her hands as Zelenskyy dug himself in deeper.
I watched his interaction with Biden. It was one of pride, arrogance, and for lack of better words a bully. I understand his nation is under attack and Putin has the napoleon syndrome. Each leader needs a dose of humility.
LOL he has met his match when he came against Trump. Very different from Biden. I dont trust Putin. Are people totally blind of history. Putin thinks he is Peter the Great.
I certainly don’t want to see Ukraine ‘thrown under the bus” but don’t want to see this war drag on and on either. Cooler heads have to prevail. And we can’t trust Putin to do what’s right.
The guy, with his hand out, should never make demands. The deal had been negotiated and was ready for signatures. No, we can’t trust Russia. However, four years of overt hostility toward Russia has brought us to a bloody mess, that threatens to drag US an EU into war.
If Ukraine does not survive, Ukraine will never recover Donbas.
The idiot wants a pound of flesh, as long as it’s not his.
We need the damn Ores NOT politics aside US funding war since war began alone
& look how were “repaid” by his rantings
Defund War PAY for ORES only
Zelinsky’s english certainly could not handle Trump’s verbal exchange. Whilst one can pity the situation of him and his people, he cannot get a free ride on American taxpayer money.