For months they went to the North -American elections last fall, the perspective of a second Trump presidency deepened the uncertainty between the Ukrainians on how North -American Support would be demonstrated in a war that threatened their national survival.
After President Volodymyr Zelensky’s Disastrous meeting With President Trump at the White House on Friday, many Ukrainians went to a conclusion that seemed perfectly clear: Mr. Trump has chosen one side and is not Ukraine.
At a meeting of jaw fall, the unthinkable fear that Ukraine would be forced to participate in a long war against a stronger rival without American support seemed to approach the reality exponentially.
« For Ukraine, it is enlightening, though not fantastic, » said Phillips O’Brien, a professor of International Relations at St. Andrews in Scotland, in an interview. « Ukraine now can only count on European states for support you need to fight. »
An immediate result was that the Ukrainians, including the opposition politicians, were generally supporters of Mr. Zelensky Saturday not to bend Mr. Trump despite tremendous pressure.
Maryna Schomak, a civilian cancer diagnosis, has been complicated by the destruction of the largest Ukraine Child Cancer Hospital by a Russian missile strike, said that Mr. Zelensky had directed with dignity.
« They met with one goal: to pressure us and undermine our authority on the global political scenario, » he said about Mr. Trump and his team.
Mr. Zelensky said on Saturday that he had not completely resigned from the hope of repairing his relationship with Mr. Trump. Publication on social networksHe left his way to thank Mr. Trump’s complaint on Friday.
« I am grateful to President Trump, the Congress for his bipartisan support and the north -American people » Wrote. « Ukrainians have always appreciated this support, especially during these three years of large -scale invasion. »
At the same time, Mr. Zelensky began to lay the foundations to move forward with the European countries that have been with Kyiv. Ukraine announced the plans on Saturday for a joint company with weapons with France that would be funded by interest obtained by frozen Russian assets.
Later of the day, Mr. Zelensky met with Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Britain, who has been a supporter of Ukrainian President in the face of the harsh rejection of Mr. Trump. On Sunday, Mr. Zelensky will attend a summit of European leaders organized by Mr. Starmer.
Although much of the focus focused on the impactful tone and the theaters of the dress that the US President handed to a batch ally, Professor O’Brien, the Sant Andreu scholar, said that Mr. Trump’s comments suggested that the root of the public break was deeper.
« He was trying to press Zelensky to accept a cessation of fire along the Putin line, and Zelensky refused, » said Professor O’Brien, referring to President Vladimir V. Putin in Russia. « Trump goes out and says that in the end explicitly. »
Trump had called the Ukrainian leader: « You are buried there » and said, « Your people die. You are down soldiers. »
When Mr. Zelensky tried to defend -Mr. Trump spoke about him.
« No, listen, » he continued. « And then you tell us, » I don’t want a cessation of fire. I don’t want a cessation of fire. « »
The exchange, said Professor O’Brien, reflects Mr. Trump’s belief that « Ukraine should be silent and take the terms of Trump and Putin. »
The true affront that promoted the show believes many Ukrainians and analysts, is that Mr. Zelensky retreated to some of Mr. Trump’s terms.
Throughout the front line, some soldiers said that the finding sank because Mr. Trump would probably not help Ukraine. « Trump chose his side in this war, » PVT said. Serhiy Hnezdilov in a telephone interview from the front on Saturday.
The private Hnezdilov said he supported Mr. Zelensky’s position, adding that he thought the attempt to humiliate the Ukrainian leader was probably the goal of the invitation to the White House.
« The scandal we witnessed was essentially the sole purpose of this meeting, » the private said. « It seemed absolutely absurd, considering that we, Ukrainians, have always considered America an example of democracy and, most importantly, values. »
Ukrainians could have been naive, he added.
However, many Ukrainians were shaken by the public falling to Washington, and Mr. Zelensky tried to reassure his worn -war nation on Saturday.
« The people of Ukraine need to know that they are not alone, that their interests are represented in all countries and in every corner of the world, » he said in a statement.
Leaders from all over Europe went on social media to Ukraine voice supportAnd Mr. Zelensky offered his personal thank you for each statement while posting them.
But Mr. Zelensky acknowledged that losing U.S. military support would be a devastating blow.
« It will be difficult for us, » Fox News told the White House meeting. « That’s why I’m here. »
Mr. Zelensky’s domestic position seemed to be constant in the immediate consequences of the meeting, despite a statement by Senator Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican, asking Mr. Zelensky to resign or to be dismissed. « I don’t know if we can never do business, » said Mr. Graham, only a few days after praising the Ukrainian leader as an ideal ally.
Mr. Zelensky received a public signal of support from the President of the Ukrainian Parliament, Ruslan Stefanchuk, who would assume the presidency if Mr. Zelensky resigned. « Complete support to the President of Ukraine! » Mr Stefanchuk wrote to A post on social media.
The opposition figures also supported Mr. Zelensky.
« Although I do not fully agree with the policies of President Zelensky, I must say that I am really grateful for having suffered this pressure, » said Natalia Pipa, a member of the Parliament of the Holos Party, in an interview.
« Trump behaved disgusting and condescending, » he added.
The path that advanced to Ukraine, according to politicians and analysts, was to try to repair relations with the United States, where defense contractors are a constituency with an interest in continuing North -American support, while trying to reduce European support. Zelensky will also try to play a role in negotiations for a peace agreement, although Mr. Trump seems to intend to treat Mr Putin directly.
But The anger directed to Mr. Zelensky At the oval office he arrived in a tense background in which Mr. Trump has more and more lined up with the kremlin Both in words and in actions.
Ever since Mr. Trump picked up the phone on February 12 for a 90 -minute chat with Mr. PutinHe has called Mr. Zelensky « a dictator »; He falsely accused the Ukraine of beginning the war; and pressed the Ukrainian leader to Access the demands of your administrationPublishing that « it will move better or will not have a country. »
Last week, the State Department ended an initiative that has invested hundreds of millions of dollars to help restore the Ukraine Energy Network after attacks by the Russian military.
As he pressed Kiev, Mr. Trump said he would « love to » see Russia again in the group of 7, a meeting of the world’s richest largest democracies, and « it was a mistake to throw them. »
Offered Mr. Putin concessions
The White House has also reduced the funding of pro-democracy programs as part of its efforts to dismantle Usaid, a movement held by Kremlin.
Trump administration has also offered Public support for far -right parties In Europe known for its support in Moscow, including AFD in Germany.
United States Attorney General Pam Bondi also has dissolved a FBI working group Focused on investigating foreign influence operations and Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, has ordered Russia to be Eliminated as the purpose of US Cybersecurity Planning.
Washington also ranked with Moscow on a vote in the United Nations that would have condemned Russian aggression Bellaro.
After having supported years of loss and suffering, Ukrainians would like nothing but see the end of the war, but not if the price is his freedom, Mr. Zelensky has insisted.
Natalka Sosnytska, coordinator of the Behind Blue Eyes Project program, a Ukrainian organization that helps children with war trauma, echoed this feeling. « Of course, we want peace, but only after our victory, » he said. « When standing, Zelensky retained our dignity as a nation. »
Liubov Soludko and Yurii syvala Contributed reports.
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