“I just don’t understand how Zelensky walked into the trap,” said the diplomat, noting Zelensky’s long-winded remarks that triggered the argument. “Your life literally depends on this man. If he starts throwing custard pies at you, you let him.” https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/02/28/trump-ukraine-russia-zelensky/
Comments
Maybe he could have have tamped down the argument, that's easier said than done, but could he afford to take custard pies? Absolutely not.
And we can dispense with believing that trump would support Europe if it itself is under pressure.
The revenge tour continues. Childish. Pathetic. Unnecessary. So Trump-like.
He cannot do this because he is Donald Trump, a weakling and wannabe gangster, not because it's not possible.
Zelensky is a wartime president, he cannot afford, neither for himself nor his country, to appear like a weak, cowed schoolboy who can be bullied by douchebags like the draft dodging Trump or USMC public relations guy Vance.
Not convinced being splatted would change Trump’s behaviour
Clarifies the Trump position (as if it needed it)
Informed American public - who Trump might listen to… assuming they care enough to shout about it (as well as the price of eggs)
"This man set you up in a trap"
Make these people make any sense whatsoever
1. The US and Russia cannot reach a meaningful deal over Ukraine (and Europe's) head if they cannot implement it.
2. If Zelensky's life does depend on Trump, he's already dead.
3. But it doesn't. America isn't *that* important.
Trump does not want to help Ukraine, never mind Zelensky personally. Indeed, he wants the opposite.
Losing them won't kill Ukraine, but will hurt them hard
I just don't like the idea that losing the US comes for free
But that cost is still lower than than that of being under Trump's thumb.
Everyone has tried to play things out with Trump--Z has to. But he can't sign onto shitty deals, so now he knows and can act accordingly.
It was a forgone conclusion. Sooner or later they’d find or manufacture a reason to kowtow to the Kremlin
Also, anything in the Washington Post doesn't count for anything worthwhile...unless you're short on toilet paper and need to wipe your ass.
https://bsky.app/profile/catheriner.bsky.social/post/3ljcj3wraws2u
Zelenskyy at least had the dignity not to grovel for nothing.
He CANNOT say that his soldiers are "fleeing the battlefield".
He cannot simply become a propagandist for Putin.
This trap was always going to happen. The U.S. is aligned with russia (no lies can hide this fact now)
Instead, he’s united the rest of the west against Trump.
He took a stand. The free world can see what a real leader does.
This allowed the entire world to see that America has nothing, absolutely nothing, to offer.
The new multipolar world order will adapt to this and oust the axis of autocrats.
Utterly contemptible
But Trump was gunning for him in the same tone (& lying) a week before the meeting
https://bsky.app/profile/brendanmay.bsky.social/post/3ljchiisyp22i
Just as well this happened in front of us rather than in a back room.
Also shows what kind of gun boat / mafia diplomacy is playing out now
Russia has no plans to hand back anything or negotiate - it would be Putins death warrant
Trump gave away its leverage with Russia by binning any plans for aid already
Trump only plan is Ukraines surrender
Ukraine stould firm for 3 years, and will not allow US to negotiate Ukraine away.