'I could have spoken people like Trump and Vance in their face'

Bullying. Blackmail. A public humiliation. Krystyna Zjoek is fierce and pronounced about the open fight on Friday between Volodymyr Zensky on one side and Donald Trump and JD Vance on the other. « If I had been in Zensky's shoes, » she said from the West -Ukrainian city of Liviv, « I probably couldn't have restrained – I had spit such so -called diplomats in the face. »

Zensky had traveled to the United States to sign a raw materials agreement with Trump. He also wanted to know from the American president what he can expect from Washington in the war against Russia. What military aid can the United States give? And what kind of security guarantees? In front of the world, the encounter degenerated into a popping fight.

Zjoek, who works as a marketing manager at a pizza care company and collects money for the Ukrainian armed forces, felt uncomfortable when she saw live on TV how « how my president was blackmailed and bullied was put under pressure to draw an unfavorable deal that definitely does not guarantee anything ».

Because there are no safety guarantees for Ukraine against the Raw Material Agreement. « But somehow we are expected to give up our natural resources. Russia wants to take our country and now the United States also grabs chantage.  » In the end, nothing was drawn.

'Unbearable'

« It was unbearable to see the tone that Vance and Trump used when they spoke to our president. It looked like pure harassment and coercion. This type of diplomacy is completely unacceptable – it's a shame. « 

Zjoek (31) is completely behind Zensky. The events motivate her. « I did not vote for him, but I support his decision not to give up Ukraine. What Trump does motivates me even more to support our army, give more money, to strengthen ourselves and only trust ourselves. ”

But the developments do indeed worry. Ukraine can use American military support well, Zjoek realizes. After the meeting, she read that Washington may stop military aid. « If this means that the Americans no longer provide us with information about Russian rocket threats, then that has direct consequences for me. I have a few minutes to go to a hiding place, to give myself a chance to survive a rocket attack. If the United States actually do this. I have no words for it. ”

Trap

Ukrainians are angry, Volodyymyr Doebovyk (55), assistant professor and director of the Center for International Studies at Metjnykova University in Odesa. « Not so much because of Trumps attacks on Zensky. They see it as an attack on their country.  »

He describes what happened on Friday as « horrible, terrible. » Zensky was not prepared for hostility and humiliation, saw Doebovyk. « This was a trap. This was planned, with so many media in that room for a long time. « 

Doebovyk is delivered and motivated. Worried, because Ukraine desperately needs American military, financial and diplomatic support. « Without it becoming difficult. » Did he fear the continued existence of Ukraine? « Not that, but it gets heavier on the front. »

And motivated, because he wants to fight Trumps narrative that Zensky is guilty of the war. Doebovyk sees that the US president never says anything simply about Vladimir Putin. « That explosion in the Oval Office arose when Zensky Putin called a murderer and terrorist. That was not at all good at Trump. Zensky did what he had to do: he explained the Ukrainian position from versus Trumps Russian narrative. « 

Zelensky's action has put bad blood in Washington. The Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who previously supported Ukraine, suggested that the Ukrainian president had to leave. « I don't know if we can do business again with Zensky, » he told the press after the meeting between the American and Ukrainian leaders in a fiasco ended.

« Whether Zensky President should remain or not, is a decision that only the Ukrainians can make, » says Zjoek firmly. According to Doebovyk, some Ukrainians criticize the president that he should not have responded to what Trump and Vance said to him, but most are angry with the duo.

It is not the right time to choose another president, says Jehor Brajljan from Kyiv. The scientist at the Aviation University in Kyiv sees no alternative candidates. And Russia can abuse elections by sowing polarization and chaos within Ukrainian society with propaganda.

Zensky, says Brajljan (33), must stick to his claim for security guarantees for his country. He continued to repeat that opposite Trump. « That's what it's about. No Ukrainian politician should want anything else. Another president who closes a deal without security guarantees – that is political suicide in Ukraine. « 

What has to do Zensky since his collision with Trump? Back to the White House? « If I was him, » says Zjoek, « I would focus more on our European partners. » On Sunday, the Ukrainian president in the United Kingdom has a meeting with European leaders.

« We have to try to repair this damage, » Doebovyk advises the Ukrainian president, « but not at the expense of Ukrainian interests. Zensky does not have to apologize for anything. What for? He stands up for Ukraine. It concerns weapons and security guarantees. If he makes no progress in this, there is no reason to go back. What do you get then? Even more accusations? ”

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