Ukraine Reacts with Mixed Emotions to Zelensky’s Confrontation with Trump in Oval Office
The news from the White House arrived in Kyiv in the evening. A Ukrainian army colonel I was dining with received a phone call while making a toast. I overheard someone urging him to watch the footage from the Oval Office. We watched the clip on his phone, stunned as President Zelensky and President Trump clashed like quarreling relatives.
After a pause, the colonel gave his opinion, calling Zelensky “Molodets,” meaning “Well done.” I had rarely heard him praise the President but he seemed genuinely impressed. He said Zelensky “pushed back” and that he respected that. Then he paused, looked at the screen, and added, “But now we’re f—ed.”
Since the incident on Friday, Kyiv’s reactions have fluctuated between pride in Zelensky for standing up to the world’s most powerful man, and fear of the consequences for Ukraine, its military, and its chances of surviving Russia’s invasion, now in its fourth year. Zelensky’s aides and allies were not surprised by his words or tone towards Trump. They saw it as typical Zelensky—proud, stubborn, courageous to a fault, and unable to let an insult pass.
One of Zelensky’s advisers asked me on Friday night what else he was supposed to do if someone was disrespecting him. As we spoke, the adviser watched his social media feed, where Ukrainians were reacting to the news. Many were angry with Zelensky, as the clash with Trump could jeopardize the $183 billion in financial and military aid and intelligence that has been vital to Ukraine’s war effort. Zelensky’s political opponents and analysts called the argument a diplomatic disaster, unprecedented and inexcusable.
However, those closest to Zelensky knew this wasn’t the first time he’d reacted this way, though previous instances were private. President Biden had similar disagreements with Zelensky early in the war. In the summer of 2022, the U.S. agreed to a large aid package, including a missile system Biden hesitated to provide due to fears of deeper U.S. involvement. During a call about the aid, worth around a billion dollars, Zelensky quickly thanked Biden before asking for more assistance. Biden, angered by Zelensky’s perceived ingratitude, reprimanded him.
About a year later, Ben Wallace, then the British Defense Minister, similarly criticized Zelensky. At a NATO summit in July 2023, Wallace said people wanted to see gratitude and that the U.K. wasn’t Amazon. He added that the U.K. had provided so many de-mining vehicles that there were likely none left. Wallace faced backlash and apologized to Zelensky.
On Friday night, Zelensky declined to apologize to Trump during a Fox News interview. He stated he respected the President and the American people, and wasn’t sure he had done anything wrong.
Many Ukrainians agreed with Zelensky. They felt he displayed the conviction and self-respect they expect from their leader. He has long been a vessel for their collective pain and anger at the Russian invasion, using those emotions to garner global support. While the setting for his frankness with a crucial ally may have been ill-chosen, many in Kyiv were proud to have a leader with such resolve. One friend told me that Zelensky carries their feelings abroad and expresses them to the world, which is part of his job.
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