Volodymyr Zelenskyy had no reason to thank Trump. While Ukrainians were enduring devastating losses in cities and on the battlefield, Trump pressured Republicans to delay the final military aid package. Vance even voted against providing that aid.
Trump’s only intention in this meeting was to extort and exploit the rare mineral natural resources of Ukraine and to belittle Volodynyr Zelenskyy in front of the cameras so that Putin and the Russian people could see. This was a disgraceful attack on a democratically elected ally who came to us in hopes of securing help.
Trump’s Role in Delaying Military Aid – The Trump administration delayed nearly $400 million in congressionally approved military aid to Ukraine in 2019, conditioning its release on Zelenskyy announcing an investigation into Joe Biden and his son, Hunter Biden. This was at a critical time when Ukraine was actively defending itself against Russian aggression. The aid was eventually released only after a whistleblower complaint exposed the scheme, leading to Trump’s first impeachment.
Trump’s Pressure on Republicans – More recently, Trump has urged congressional Republicans to stall further aid to Ukraine, even as the country fights for its survival against Russia. This has been echoed by some Trump-aligned figures, including Senator J.D. Vance, who voted against additional assistance. Their reasoning often ties into an "America First" narrative, but critics argue that delaying aid only benefits Putin.
The July 25, 2019 Phone Call – During this now-infamous call, Trump explicitly pressured Zelenskyy to investigate the Bidens, using the leverage of withheld military aid. This moment became the foundation of his first impeachment for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.
Trump’s Meeting with Zelenskyy – In past interactions, Trump has seemed dismissive or even condescending toward Zelenskyy. There are concerns that Trump views Ukraine less as a strategic ally and more as a bargaining chip—both for his own political gain and as a way to potentially appease Vladimir Putin, whom he has repeatedly praised.
Ukraine’s Natural Resources – Ukraine is rich in rare minerals, including lithium, which is crucial for modern technology and energy production. Some speculate that Trump’s interest in Ukraine wasn’t just political but also economic, seeing an opportunity to exploit its resources. His transactional approach to diplomacy raises questions about whether he sought to leverage U.S. support in exchange for potential future economic gains.
The Bigger Picture – Zelenskyy, the leader of a democratic nation under siege, has little reason to thank Trump who has only been an obstacle to vital aid to Ukraine. Instead of standing firmly with Ukraine, Trump has used the country as a political pawn, delayed vital aid, and aligned with isolationist voices that weaken Ukraine’s position against Russia which is the aggressor and the instigator of this invasion.
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