WASHINGTON: US Democratic lawmakers rushed to the defense of Volodymyr Zelensky following Friday’s blowup at the White House that saw President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance painting the Ukrainian president as “disrespectful” and anti-peace.
Top Democrats said it was proof that Trump is playing into the hands of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“Trump and Vance are doing Putin’s dirty work. Senate Democrats will never stop fighting for freedom and democracy,” Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer (New York) said.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (New York) described the meeting as “appalling and will only serve to further embolden Vladimir Putin, a brutal dictator.”
“The United States must not reward Russian aggression and continue to appease Putin,” he added.
For Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut, the meeting ”was a planned ambush designed to embarrass President Zelensky in order to benefit Vladimir Putin.“
”That was an embarrassment. That was an abomination. What you watched was American power being destroyed in the world as everybody watches President Trump become a lapdog for a brutal dictator in Moscow,” he said.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut hoped that the talks “can be resumed or restored, and this event won’t derail continued support.”
“I have very strong hopes that the coalition we have in Congress — and it is a very strong bipartisan coalition — will be persuasive to the administration and others that we have a long-term national security interest in Ukraine prevailing over Putin’s brazen aggression.”
Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota said: “Answer to Vance: Zelensky has thanked our country over and over again both privately and publicly. And our country thanks HIM and the Ukrainian patriots who have stood up to a dictator, buried their own & stopped Putin from marching right into the rest of Europe. Shame on you.”
Losing support
Zelensky had traveled to Washington to sign a deal that would give the US access to its mineral riches as Trump attempts to pressure Ukraine into a deal to end the war with Russia. Although support for Ukraine has waned among GOP congressional members in the three years since Russia invaded, key Republicans hoped the deal would revive American support for Kyiv.
Instead, the fallout from a heated Oval Office exchange between Trump, Zelensky and Vance has many Republicans — even those who previously backed Ukraine — scolding Zelensky. For other GOP lawmakers who have long criticized US support for Ukraine, the exchange was an opportunity to laud Trump for berating Ukraine’s leader.
Here’s what Republican leaders are saying as the future of Ukraine hangs in the balance:
Republicans who have supported Ukraine in the past
Sen. Lindsey Graham, South Carolina: Graham called the meeting a “complete, utter disaster” and said he’s “never been more proud” of Trump. “What I saw in the Oval office was disrespectful and I don’t know if we can ever do business with Zelensky again.”
Secretary Of State Marco Rubio: “Thank you @POTUS for standing up for America in a way that no President has ever had the courage to do before. Thank you for putting America First. America is with you!”
House Republican Leader Steve Scalise, Louisiana: “President Trump is fighting for PEACE around the world and is putting America First as our best negotiator — he’s the only one to get Russia to the table to consider a serious and lasting peace agreement with Ukraine.”
Rep. Don BacoN, Nebraska: “A bad day for America’s foreign policy. Ukraine wants independence, free markets and rule of law. It wants to be part of the West. Russia hates us and our Western values. We should be clear that we stand for freedom.”
Rep. Mike Lawler, New York: “Diplomacy is tough and often times there are serious differences of opinion and heated exchanges behind closed doors. Having this spill out into public view was a disaster — especially for Ukraine.”
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, Pennsylvania: “It was heartbreaking to witness the turn of events that transpired in today’s meeting regarding Ukraine’s future. It is time to put understandable emotions aside and come back to the negotiation table.”
Republicans who are opposed to Ukraine aid
Sen. Josh Hawley, Missouri: “Remember: the US Senate has repeatedly and for years voted BILLIONS of taxpayer dollars to Ukraine with no strings attached and with no true oversight. It’s time for some ACCOUNTABILITY.”
Sen. Mike Lee, Utah: “Thank you for standing up for OUR COUNTRY and putting America first, President Trump and Vice President Vance!”
Sen. Roger Marshall, Kansas: “Not another penny.”
Rep. Andy Biggs, Arizona: “Dictator Zelensky had the audacity to disrespect President @realDonaldTrump and VP @JDVance during what should have been a friendly meeting, and @POTUS rightfully showed him the door. This is the leadership America has craved for four years.”
