American viewers were baffled, and confused, and some were disappointed by the meeting between Ukraine’s President Zelensky and US President Donald Trump. After watching that mess of a meeting, where does the US stand with the rest of the world, and who is truly gambling with World War III?
In my personal opinion, the meeting between Zelensky and Trump was heartbreaking. Zelensky has been in the world’s toughest spot ever since Russia invaded his country, and when he meets with the most powerful nation in the world to ask for help, he is made fun of and taken ill seriously.
Though Zelensky tried to stand up for himself and his nation multiple times, he stood no chance against the much louder representatives of America. Trump and JD Vance had a clear goal with this meeting, to assert their dominance. To assert their dominance over a nation that needs help. To assert their dominance over a man who came to them for assistance. To assert their dominance over Ukraine’s citizens who have endured far too much violence over the past 11 years.
Trump and JD Vance made it clear to Zelensky that they were not going to help Ukraine or condemn Russia or Vladamir Putin. Trump stated, “You see, the hatred [Zelensky] got for Putin, it’s very tough for me to make a deal with that kind of hate.” I believe that Kamala Harris said it best when she stated that Trump is only in alignment with Putin because he could “eat him [Trump] for lunch.”
The list of disrespectful and outright disgusting remarks thrown at Zelensky is far too long to dissect, but you can visit the transcript of the meeting here. I believe that American citizens have every right to be upset with the way that our President and Vice President handled this meeting, especially after seeing how other nations embraced Zelensky.
Zelensky’s first meeting with a European leader after the harsh squabble with Trump was the British Prime Minister, Kier Starmer. He told the Ukrainian President that he has the “full backing across the United Kingdom.”
Completely opposing President Trump’s view of the war, French President Emmanuel Macron claims that Russia is the problem. He believes that Russia has earned the name “aggressor” and that Ukraine is the “victim”. The welcoming that Zelensky was greeted with by other European leaders caused the United States to look irrationally aggressive.
This is also supported by the address that the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau gave an address to Canada while also speaking directly to the American people. Trudeau stated, “We don’t want this. We want to work with you as a friend and ally — and we don’t want to see you hurt either. But your government has chosen to do this to you.”
The rest of the speech addressed the United State’s plan for the border policy and the large amount of tariffs that have been placed on Canada’s products. To be direct, the trade war has no purpose. Trump is concerned over the flow of fentanyl across the border. While, yes, this is a problem that needs to be solved, this is not the way to go about it. This could have been solved by working together with Canada on strengthening our borders to make both nations stronger, but instead, Trump is making an enemy out of our closest ally. Yes, Canada and the United States have had conflicts before, but none that warrants such an aggressive economic attack.
Canadians are known for their kindness, but not when the Canadian people’s lives are at stake. This is supported by Tudeau as he stated, “Canadians are reasonable and we are polite but we will not back down from a fight — not when our country and the well-being of everyone in it is at stake,” in his address.
Not only did the Prime Minister address the unstable relationship with the US, but he brought up the relationship between Trump and Putin. Trudeau pointed out, “At the same time, they’re [the United States] talking about working positively with Russia. Appeasing Vladimir Putin, a lying, murderous dictator.” The rest of the world’s eyes are on us. They can see the illogic and corruption that is plaguing our government.
So, not only are we crumbling from the division within our government, but we are also burning bridges between nations. Trump told President Zelensky that he was “gambling with World War III”, but it seems that Trump’s glass house is becoming more and more visible each day. Trump has done nothing more than score on his own net and harm the people he swore to protect. The people that Trump is hurting are the hardworking Canadian and American people, and the entire world can see that. So no, Zelensky is not gambling with World War III, Trump is.