A.G. Gancarski
Friday’s heated confrontation between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy saw two Florida-bred presidential appointees charged with removing the foreign team from the White House.
National Security Advisor Mike Waltz appeared on Saturday’s “Fox and Friends Weekend,” where he described Zelenskyy’s removal by him and Secretary of State Marco Rubio after the meeting was over.
“We had a meeting after that exchange after the press was asked to leave, and we pretty much unanimously advised the President that after that insult in the Oval Office, we just do not see how that could move forward, that any further engagement would only go backwards from this moment on, and that’s what we walked over and told President Zelenskyy and his team,” Waltz said.
Ahead of the negotiation’s collapse, Zelenskyy engaged in cross talk with Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
“The problem is I’ve empowered you to be a tough guy,” Trump said. “And I don’t think you’d be a tough guy without the United States.”
Trump and Vance said Zelenskyy wasn’t sufficiently grateful for American help.
Based on Friday’s actions, Waltz said he wasn’t sure if Zelenskyy “truly wants to stop the fighting,” which has led Trump “frustrated and angry.”
The drama continued off camera.
As he was being walked out, Waltz said Zelenskyy was still “argumentative,” which led the National Security Adviser to tell him that “time was not on his side.”
The former Congressman from North Florida wasn’t the only man with Sunshine State ties who was unhappy with the Ukrainian leader.
During a CNN appearance Friday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Zelenskyy needed to apologize to President Trump “for turning this thing into the fiasco for him that it became.”
“There was no need for him to go in there and become antagonistic,” the former Senator turned chief diplomat told primetime host Kaitlan Collins.
Rubio also questioned if Zelenskyy wants the fighting to end during Friday’s interview.
“You start to suspect, does he really want an end to this war? Does he just think that we have to do whatever he says and give him anything he wants without any end game?”
Rubio, who sat impassively during the meeting, had worked to engage Ukraine in an exchange of rare earth mineral rights for American security guarantees.
In football terms, it fell short of the goal line Friday. Ahead of the derailed public negotiation, the Secretary of State said it was just a “tush push” away, days after he accused Zelenskyy of lying about the deal for domestic consumption in Ukraine.
On X Saturday, Zelenskyy said Ukraine’s position was a mineral deal was a “first step toward security guarantees.”
“But it’s not enough, and we need more than just that. A ceasefire without security guarantees is dangerous for Ukraine. We’ve been fighting for 3 years, and Ukrainian people need to know that America is on our side,” Zelenskyy claimed.
55 comments
Chuck Anziulewicz
March 1, 2025 at 9:08 am
This was a planned political mugging, calculated to either get Zelensky to do Donald Trump’s bidding, or being able to blame Zelensky for precipitating a diplomatic crisis. Ultimately all Trump did was embarrass the United States on the world stage.
If ANY other U.S. President had behaved in such a childish manner, everyone would be outraged. But, you know, it’s Trump, and MAGA considers him infallible and incapable of error. Nothing says “cult” better than that.
Peachy
March 1, 2025 at 9:47 am
Okay you wanna say the US was embarrassed? Fine. Let the Europeans supply Ukraine with weapons. Without the US there is no Ukraine. Just like NATO.
PeterH
March 1, 2025 at 11:15 am
Exactly and well said. It’s quite obvious now, Biden was a much better leader for America…..
Oscar
March 1, 2025 at 1:45 pm
Nothing says ‘ignorant partisan hack’ like your post. Zelenskyy clearly thought he could pull the same crap with Trump that he pulled with Biden and Eurotrash leaders. Trump rightly sent Zelenskyy packing. When the entire world depends upon you – and it surely does – best to be humble. As for the hyperventilating Eurotrash leaders, let’s see how your economies fare with no access to US consumers. German’s economy is already a basket case due to its idiotic, self-destructive policies. Stop Mercedes, BMW, Volkswagen and Porsche from selling a single car in the US…. Boom….
Ocean Joe
March 1, 2025 at 2:53 pm
“Russia, if you’re listening”…the entire Trump administration wants to give you whatever you want.
Andrew St. Wilson
March 1, 2025 at 4:11 pm
nothing says STUPID DUMB ASS THAN YOUR STATEMENT
Ocean Joe
March 1, 2025 at 5:45 pm
Pay attention, Saint. If you were trying to negotiate a serious end to the Ukraine war, you’d be telling Putin to back down or face increased US assistance to our ally Ukraine. Instead the great negotiator gives away his position, expects nothing from the Russians and threatens Ukraine on live tv to end support.
What ever happened to “peace through strength” comrade?
Dakota
March 3, 2025 at 4:40 am
It was definitely an ambush. And President Zelensky knew how it would go. Walk into a room of bullies & you have to àààstand up for your people. Pres.Musk-and-his-orange-monkey, the organ grinder Vance and the Russian SPIC were despiscable. Let me get sev. things straight: 1/ RUSSIA ATTACKED UKRAINE. 2/ Vance is a g_d damn hillbilly. Find him a goat to milk. 3/ And Rubio is a Russian agent. He needs to go back to Cuba where he will find a political climate to his liking. 4/ Putin is a murdering dictator. HE HAS KILLED PEOPLE.
Tell the boyz at the top that all of America saw the interview. We know what we saw. AND IT HAS BEEN CAPTURED ON FILM. I know that the GOP is stupid, but not me and my friends.
Earl Pitts American
March 1, 2025 at 9:12 am
Good Morn’Ting America,
Welp it looks like we are going to need to take Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy on a tour of our facilities down there at GITMO.
He can give us his valuable feedback on many things down there. Most likely take about 30 years to finish his assignment.
Oh yeah that would leave a void to fill over there in Ukraine ….. let’s see now ….. who ….. just who can we replace good ‘Ole Volodymyr with??? ….. “OH I GOT IT”, said Earl Pitts American, Tom Holman !!! ….”PERFECT” , said Earl Pitts American,
“Thank you, America” ,
said Earl Pitts American
the Truth
March 1, 2025 at 10:23 am
Zelensky does not want peace, he is making to much money off the war
Skeptic
March 1, 2025 at 11:25 am
Your source for this libel is what? I suppose you mean Zelensky doesn’t want to unconditionally surrender like the GOP surrender monkeys. If Agent Orange and his converso lackey are not unconditionally surrendering to their St. Vlad, what ARE they getting out of it? How much will they (together with their Afrikaaner friend) personally pocket for selling out our allies?
SuzyQ
March 3, 2025 at 2:29 am
Please consider reposting in a coherent manner, provided your intention is to be understood.
Michael K
March 1, 2025 at 1:26 pm
You idiot. What a disgraceful comment. Zelensky has been trying everything to stop the horrific Russian invasion, murder and destruction of the nation and of the people he represents. You are projecting – only the current co-presidents of the Us are in it for the money in their pocket.
Oscar
March 1, 2025 at 1:48 pm
Name one thing he has done to stop the complete destruction of Ukraine…. The instant Russian aggression stops, he will be tossed aside faster than you can say authoritarian kleptocrat…
Michael K
March 1, 2025 at 2:48 pm
Apologies for calling you an idiot. What I meant was that’s the most idiotic thing I’ve heard.
DOn
March 1, 2025 at 5:46 pm
You were right the first time
LawLib
March 1, 2025 at 10:35 am
Waltz & Rubio obviously had cotton in their ears and blinders on for yesterday’s Oval office meeting between the Ukrainian & U.S. presidents. If anyone should have been ejected from that office for brutish decorum and downright bad manners it was the dynamic duo of impetuous hosts, Trump and Vance. Talk about ” piling on”!
Andy
March 1, 2025 at 10:36 am
Russia and China working together to destroy the US, and we have a true Patriot leader fighting Communism abroad, unlike our ‘Heel Spur’ Patriot that has no f___g clue about valor, sacrifice, and serving, only profit off the losses of a citizenship, and Mike Waltz kisses his ass over of the people, for the people, and by the people!
Peachy
March 1, 2025 at 10:52 am
How many years did Biden serve in the military? Remind us again what his excuse / deferment was for.
JD
March 1, 2025 at 11:55 am
You’re losing Peachy. Nobody is buying it anymore.
How’s that price of eggs and gas again?
Oscar
March 1, 2025 at 1:52 pm
JD – Why do you repeatedly demonstrate your ignorance? You’re as pathetic as crooked Joe Biden and the rest of the progressive left pile of garbage.
Skeptic
March 1, 2025 at 2:09 pm
At least the markets are getting cheaper. How’s that recession coming?
JD
March 1, 2025 at 2:33 pm
Please point out my ignorance “Oscar”. Or should we call you “Oscar Meyers” because you are full of bologna?
You don’t have anything so you insult.
So to Peaches and Cream’s Whataboutism:
During the Vietnam War . President Joe Biden received five draft deferments. The first four were student deferments granted while he was an undergraduate at the University of Delaware and later as a law student at Syracuse University.
After completing his studies, Biden underwent a physical examination in April 1968 and was classified as “1-Y” by the Selective Service System, indicating he was eligible for military service only in cases of a national emergency. This classification was due to asthma he had experienced during his teenage years.
That was SELECTIVE SERVICE – i.e. the people that draft you.
You want to again comment on my ignorance, Bologna?
Don
March 1, 2025 at 5:48 pm
Same number as Trump. Difference was, Biden’s son served and Biden himself worked to protect and preserve the military. All Trump did was doctor up an xray to show “bone spurs” in is feet.
Bob
March 1, 2025 at 7:54 pm
Why are you so obsessed with Biden he’s not the president anymore. Biden didn’t sell out an ally to the enemy. Biden also didn’t call dead American War Dead suckers and losers. Trump has no concept of honor. Trump is going to be the end of the United States. he is such a disgrace and good luck finding treatment for your Biden Derangement Syndrome.
Harold Finch
March 2, 2025 at 8:05 pm
Ditto for Trump! What military experience does he have? None!
Michael K
March 1, 2025 at 1:37 pm
Marco Rubio has lost his soul and any credibility. He once showed promise – now, he’s nothing more than a traitor to decency and America’ core values. This entire “administration” is looking more like Moscow / KGB than the capital of the free world.
Harold Finch
March 2, 2025 at 8:06 pm
AMEN!!!!!!
Andy
March 1, 2025 at 10:37 am
Last time Trump kneeled down for Putin, it was for secrets on Biden, today it’s minerals for Kushner!
Peachy
March 1, 2025 at 10:57 am
Did Biden take a knee to get his idiot son a position on the board of Burisma?
JD
March 1, 2025 at 11:55 am
Still losing.
Michael K
March 1, 2025 at 1:45 pm
She can’t read – always the same dribble no matter what the column. Ignore the troll.
PeterH
March 1, 2025 at 11:07 am
Well THE ONLY government in Europe to agree with the Trump-Waltz-Rubio-Vance cabal is Hungary. Expected because Hungary also is a Putin puppet.
It’s now official….. excluding Hungary, every single Western ally including Canada, Mexico, Australia and every country in the EU are supporting Ukraine and not the USA.
The new conservative leadership in Germany stated that Western democracies need to find new leadership …. other than the USA.
Macron in France stated today that: “the USA can be a friend but no longer a dependable ally.
Trump has achieved his goal of America’s isolationism.
Additionally, our one-time allies now have a very powerful block to resist our trade tariffs. Trump’s new tariffs will not go down like they did in 2017…. the retribution will be swift and painful for American consumers.
Skeptic
March 1, 2025 at 11:12 am
Sad to see Walsh and Rubio making excuses for Agent Orange, his converso puppet and the rest of the MAGA surrender monkeys. When they say Zelensky doesn’t want peace what they mean is Zelensky doesn’t want to unconditionally surrender to Putin (as they have done). Why Zelensky should feel grateful to thieves and/or loan sharks that want to steal his country’s patrimony in exchange for [fill in the blank: don’t let Musk’s accounting fool you] — generally, I’m not sure who shows gratitude for coercive theft. And what happened to Susie Wiles — the Trump whisperer? I guess based on the unsupervised visit to Romper Room yesterday, she is AWOL or just as ineffective as all the previous “adults in the room.”
PeterH
March 1, 2025 at 11:13 am
Diplomacy is not a one way street. From the very start, this MAGA experiment in international diplomacy has failed miserably. Who thought it was a good idea for Saudi intervention as a peacemaker? Well we won’t be invited back to ANY negotiating table until Trump is out of office.
ScienceBLVR
March 1, 2025 at 11:21 am
One wonders how this exchange would have played out without Trump’s incessant narcissistic need to mug for the cameras. If it had taken place with adults in the room with diplomacy and understanding of the importance of the meeting. Instead, like a cross between The Appentice and a Fake Wrestling event, this clown show was the ultimate embarrassment for America. Just for Trump’s television ratings. And of course, gotta love special guest, MTG boy asking about his outfit? WOW, Camp David Accords it was not..
MH/Duuuval
March 1, 2025 at 1:48 pm
My question, too. Why doesn’t Putin’s Poodle meet with Putin himself live and being videotaped? In fact, Trump meets with Putin with no US witnesses and there is no subsequent record or memo of what went down except President Poodle relaying what Putin said … maybe.
KathrynA
March 1, 2025 at 11:24 am
I have never seen such a despicable display and treatment of a brave man, who has headed up the fight for the sovereignty of his people after being attacked by Putin and land taken and lives and property destroyed. He had a right to say he was very wary of trusting Putin. Who would and especially, what they have been through. I guess we really know and are not guessing anymore that Trump and Vance are all on Putin’s side. And of course, his own–to aim for getting billions in rare earth minerals and kept talking about how this was so important to us. It’s called extortion and horrible to treat a good man and country like this. And Russia was loving it–look up their remarks! Be very worried!
Skeptic
March 1, 2025 at 11:33 am
I’m not worried for Ukraine. Watching Zelensky, who has taken on Putin in an armed conflict at high risk to his own life, listen to two bellicose cowards whining about the gratitude the world owed them just for breathing the same air as the rest of us was disgusting. I am worried for the U.S. and those of its citizens who remain sane — the world of freedom is collapsing as these mendacious DOGE bags grab everything that isn’t nailed down. We know the cost of freedom, what is the profit that the MAGA surrender monkeys have negotiated (40 pieces of silver doesn’t buy that many Easter eggs any more)?
PeterH
March 1, 2025 at 12:35 pm
When Americans defend theTrump Vance Rubio MAGA narrative ….you’re actually supporting Putin’s interest here and abroad! America needs to wake up to the fact THAT WE’RE NO LONGER INVITED TO ANY NEGOTIATION TABLE.
MH/Duuuval
March 1, 2025 at 1:52 pm
President Poodle claims the US spent $350 billion to help Ukraine. The media is going with the figure of $180B. Yet, Poodle wants a $500 billion stake in Ukraine’s mineral wealth. Presumably this gives Poodle and his henches a cut of the action: very transactional.
Oscar
March 1, 2025 at 1:58 pm
Moron. The higher and accurate figure includes the hundreds of billions in military hardware US taxpayers paid for that was given to Zelenskyy, not just cash. Oh, and Einstein, Eurotrash has paid more to Russia for energy than it has given to help Ukraine. Next time, think before you yap.
Michael K
March 1, 2025 at 2:05 pm
Miss Spoke is back to persona du jour. Must be off their meds.
Skeptic
March 1, 2025 at 2:12 pm
Get off the MAGA surrender monkey talking points. No cash was sent, only the 100 BB of weapons. The loan shark wants 400% interest.
MH/Duuuval
March 1, 2025 at 2:24 pm
Putin poodles like to trash talk, but they are all barf — “hundreds of billions” — and no bite:
“The Kiel Institute is a German-based think tank tracking support going into Ukraine. It calculated that the United States spent $119.7bn on aid between January 2022 and December 2024.
Others have reached a higher figure – but with a broader definition of what counts as spending on Ukraine.
“The US Department of Defense has provided a figure looking at all spending and says $182.8bn has been “appropriated” – a figure that covers US military training in Europe and replenishment of US defense stocks.
“We asked the White House about the basis for the $350bn claim. So far, it hasn’t provided an explanation.” (from BBC online, Feb. 27, 2025)
Face it, Barfy, President Poodle is looking to cut every nickel from the budget to pay for a second Rich People’s Tax Break.
Trump is imbecil
March 1, 2025 at 2:40 pm
You’re crazy, 180bn figure includes military support
JD
March 1, 2025 at 2:40 pm
A classic rage-comment special: start with insults, throw together unrelated points, and hope no one notices the lack of actual argument. Let’s break it down:
1.) U.S. aid to Ukraine is not ‘hundreds of billions in hardware.’ That’s just lazy, vague math meant to sound scary.
2.) Yes, Europe still buys Russian energy, but pretending that invalidates military aid is like saying eating sushi funds Japan’s military.
3.) And calling Europeans ‘Eurotrash’, a chef’s kiss, always a great way to show you’ve got nothing but knee-jerk outrage.
Take your own advice and think before you “yap.”
Or don’t. Watching this trainwreck is its own kind of entertainment.”
MH/Duuuval
March 1, 2025 at 5:58 pm
It’s the height of self-indulgence for Peachy Poodle to repeatedly hold up US vets as exemplars, but then to ignore the tremendous sacrifices of the Ukrainian military — many of whom are middle-aged. WWII had its quislings and Peachy is ours; Putin’s Poodle is our Chamberlin.
MH/Duuuval
March 1, 2025 at 6:02 pm
Reading the Guardian again?
MH/Duuuval
March 1, 2025 at 6:03 pm
Peachy reading The Guardian — again.
Like the flier in Catch 22, Peach don’t like to pay for it.
Lee
March 1, 2025 at 7:50 pm
Zelenskyy wants to trade minerals for us boots on the ground. Nuts.
MH/Duuuval
March 1, 2025 at 9:32 pm
Putin’s Poodle Donnie has already ruled out US troops — even as peacekeepers — though he allows that there would be Americans on site exploiting Ukraine’s mineral wealth. The very presence of US citizens should be enough to keep the Russian forces on their side of the fence. Of course, Putin has offered to make a deal with his poodle for the 40% of those same resources that his military currently controls.
SuzyQ
March 3, 2025 at 2:37 am
Ukraine has lost the war. It’s time for all parties to be pragmatic, unless of course you think insults and pejoratives will effectively serve to solve or mitigate the crises.
MH/Duuuval
March 3, 2025 at 11:11 pm
Let’s allow the Ukrainians to make the call as to when to quit defending their turf and society against Putin’s aggression.
As for invective: Trump leads the parade and his cohort follow in his wake, bobbing like little boats behind a larger scow.
Burt
March 3, 2025 at 2:45 am
Trumps comment at the end about sums up why the event was such an embarrassment for Americans. “this will make great television”. Sad day. The good news for world peace is that Europe and other countries are coalescing in support of Ukraine.
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