- Trump Zelensky diplomatic talks ended in heated exchange
- Trump demanding respect, Zelensky wants security
- European leaders set out four-point plan to help Ukraine end war
- Talks the US could quit Nato and the UN
- Europe replacing US leadership?
Trump Zelensky Oval Office Talks Ended in a Bust-Up, European Leaders Realise They’re On Their Own. Trump Wants Zelensky Out. Starmer Steps Up. Can Europe Survive Without The US?
What The Hell Happened This Weekend?
A public bust-up for the ages
It’s rare to see an American president – and his vice president – arguing with another leader in front of the cameras at the Oval Office. But this is Trump’s MO, he’s never shied away from verbalising his opinion – even if it ends in a heated bust-up. It’s one of the reasons he’s been voted back into power. He’s unpolished, and for many Americans, he feels more authentic – more honest.
That extraordinary argument at the Oval Office on Friday saw the US president and vice president berate Zelenskyy and then boot him out the door. The leader of the free world bullying the leader of a democratic nation under an invasion from Russia – the aggressor – is a truly remarkable turnaround in the history of modern US foreign policy.
The bullying of the leader of a democratic nation under a Russian tyrant’s illegal onslaught that has killed thousands of civilians sent shock waves through Washington and around the world.
CNN
Trump’s critics saw this bust-up as Trump moving the US closer to Russia and risking the reputation of the United States of America. They say Trump’s move to support the aggressor goes against American values.
But for Trump supporters, it’s about time Zelenskyy got a dressing-down. They see him as ungrateful and rude and that he is squeezing money and resources out of America for a war that, quite frankly, is not their problem.
It doesn’t help that Zelenskyy was hardly charming and polished in the meeting – understandable for a man who’s been at war since 2022. But he was unable to hide his frustration; he was argumentative and combative, which seemingly irritated the US president. Reports in the media suggest Keir Starmer wants Zelensky to start ‘playing the game’ – appeasing and praising Trump to feed his – and America’s – ego.
Zelensky needs to start playing the game to feed Trump – and America’s – ego
There’s no doubt Russia is enjoying the splintering of the West. Since the weekend of madness has unfolded, Trump’s ‘first buddy’ Elon Musk, has repeated calls for America to quit Nato and the United Nations in yet another attempt to scare Europe.
It’s not quite working, though. Elon Musk isn’t taken as seriously in Europe as he is in America – unless the calls come into motion, it’s largely been ignored by the rest of the world.
Though Zelenskyy came out worst from the Oval Office show down, it’s not all rosy for Trump either. If he had been able to get his peace deal over the line, he – and America – would have been able to exploit Ukraine’s rare-earth minerals, something that would have been a massive political and economic win for Donald Trump.
Europe finally steps up
The mess from Friday’s bust-up finally kicked European leaders into action after decades of sitting back and allowing the US to control their every move.
UK’s PM Keir Starmer and France’s Macron held a summit that was dubbed the ‘coalition of the willing, ’ where they set out a four-point plan to help end the war and keep peace in the region. It’s a tough situation, but Macron and Starmer working together, especially in the post-Brexit era, is a positive sign that Britain won’t abandon Ukraine and will stick to its European principles.
Europe replacing US leadership?
If we’re being realistic, it will be incredibly difficult for Europe to fill the void that the United States will leave if they walk away from Ukraine. In part, because Europe, including the UK, have spent far too long relying on America to provide us with a backstop – ‘Russia won’t bomb the UK because they know America will become involved’. But that doesn’t really hold true anymore.
Europe has spent years cutting military spending, slimming down its military production base and relying on US security guarantees to Nato. Keeping the US sweet, for now, seems like the most logical approach. But Europe will need to eventually stand firmer on its own feet and start to wean itself off American reliance.
It would be difficult but not impossible. European leaders are expected to announce major increases in defence spending in the coming days. Several ideas are being considered ahead of the European Council meeting on Thursday, including easing the EU’s fiscal rules to allow greater public spending and pooling common debt to buy arms.
The real question is, if the US walks away from Ukraine, what’s its role in the world going forward? Who will take on the responsibility of leading the world?
US wants Zelenskyy out
Since the bust-up, US officials have kept calling for Zelenskyy to resign (something he has been reluctant to do over fears a pro-Russian candidate will be installed). It’s nothing more than a power play on Trump’s part. He sees Zelenskyy as someone who has distrespected him and wants to issue the ultimate punishment.
House Speaker Mike Johnson reinforced warnings about the Ukrainian leader. “Either he needs to come to his senses and come back to the table in gratitude, or someone else needs to lead the country to do that,” the Louisiana Republican said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”
Britain breaks away from the US?
The stark contrast between the meeting with Trump and Vance compared to the warm greeting Zelenskyy received outside No 10, with the prime minister telling him he is always welcome here, shows a growing divide in the West.
PM Starmer has remained firm in his support for Ukraine, showing a divide in the UK-US interest in the war. It’s not entirely surprising the Americans aren’t interested in the war; its thousands of miles away from them, with an ocean separating them from the violence and along with having the world’s biggest economy, it doesn’t impact the US in any way – it only impacts the way people look at you, and why would you care if you’re still the most powerful nation on the planet.
It’s only if your empire crumbles that you need to worry.