Summary of the Trump-Zelensky Press Conference
(This summary is about 4 minutes long whereas the Press conference lasted 49 mins.)
Well - just when you thought that things could not get any more dramatic, on Friday 28th February the White House was transformed into a Stage as Donald J used the occasion of Zelensky’s visit to strip the Emperor of his clothes in front of the whole world. I am not sure how much of this was orchestrated but the discussion took on a life of its own, ending in a disagreeable exchange which was not planned in my view.
I watched the whole exchange twice and it was clear that Zelensky was determined to blacken Putin and Russia with language and actions that were far from diplomatic. In the process, Zelensky lied constantly and provided images of badly treated Ukrainian POWs for Trump to view that could not be authenticated. Trump was patient and tolerated all of this. Zelensky continued to harp on about security and repeated himself even after Trump explained that such things would be discussed during negotiations. Zelensky, like a spoiled child, appeared to want Trump to take his side against Putin and he started to get agitated when Trump refused to oblige. Zelensky attacked Putin personally, suggesting that he should pay for the war he started. But Trump made it clear that he can’t take sides and must stand in the middle. Zelensky insisted that Europe be involved in the negotiations and introduced the same old scaremongering about Russian expansionism we have heard before. But Trump wasn’t buying it and insisted that Putin does not want to invade Europe.
JD Vance became involved on the difference between Biden’s approach to Ukraine which eschewed diplomacy and failed to resolve the conflict and that of Trump which is promoting diplomacy. At this point, Zelensky became more agitated and started criticising Vance for talking about diplomacy when Putin had broken agreements in the past. This annoyed Vance, who explained that Trump is promoting negotiations in order to save Zelensky’s country and that it was disrespectful of him to attack the President of the United States in the Oval Office.
But then Zelensky overstepped a mark by insisting that even though an ocean separates the US from Russia the Americans will feel the Russian threat in the future. This annoyed Trump who chastised Z for claiming to know what the Americans will feel. The pair then began to argue and Trump told Zelensky that he is in no position to do so because he doesn’t have the cards. Stupidly, Zelensky then said that he is not playing cards. But Trump told him that he was gambling with World War 3. Then Vance criticised him for campaigning against Trump during the election campaign (which is true) and because he showed no appreciation for US help.
Zelensky continued to argue but Trump told him to shut up, basically, because he had spoken enough already. The once great Z then made the claim (not for the first time) that Ukraine has been alone - which prompted Trump to remind him of the $300 billions US had contributed (He forgot to mention all the technical and intelligence being provided). Concluding that Z did not want a ceasefire, Vance told him that he was wrong. It appears that Zelensky swore at Vance at some point (in Russian).
Trump ended the press conference by criticising the Democrats for Russiagate and sympathised with Putin who was lambasted when he had done nothing. Trump later said that Z can come back when he is ready for peace. Here Trump is sending a message to the European irrelevants that their bellicose rhetoric will go nowhere. He was also addressing the American people and Ukraine’s administration. It appears that the celebrated ‘minerals deal’ was not signed.
I had to do something separate on this because it would have made the update too long. It may be useful to some - though it lacks facial expressions and tone of voice.
Best Rob
I've watched it all and what stands out to me is Trump's apparent sincerity in wanting peace. I don't trust him. I hate his apparent total dedication to Israel and murder. But in regard to Ukraine he perhaps is genuine. In which case there will be peace. For Kiev Ukraine is fairly immaterial. It has always been America was making the war. If Europe tries to step in and replace America as motivator and sustainer I think they'll destroy themselves.
Zelensky told many lies during the meeting, and I found it disgusting as well.
Here is a list of his lies that I noticed in the video, at least.
Lie: Ukrainian POWs are tortured by Russians.
Fact: Ukrainian POWs are treated fairly.
Lie: Russian forces kidnapped Ukrainian children.
Fact: Russian forces evacuated children who had become orphans or had been separated from their parents near the battlefield.
Lie: The Russian government repeatedly violated the Minsk Accord.
Fact: Ukrainian forces and far-right nationalists have continued bombarding Donbass. Their violations of the Minsk Accord were recorded by the OSCE.
Lie: The Russian government did not fulfill its obligation to exchange POWs.
Fact: The Russian government has been following the rules for POW exchanges, and the exact same number of POWs held by Ukrainian forces has been exchanged.
However, the only instance in which Russian forces were unable to return Ukrainian POWs was when a Ukrainian Patriot missile shot down a Russian plane on January 24, 2024.