The recent meeting between former U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has sparked heated discussions. While mainstream media portrays it as an exchange between an assertive Trump and a humiliated Zelensky, the reality appears far more complex.
Behind Closed Doors: The Real Agenda
According to video footage of the meeting, Zelensky was invited to discuss and sign an agreement on rare minerals and other natural resources. The White House had planned a press conference to mark the signing, with Trump envisioning the deal as a major diplomatic achievement that could help bring an end to the war.
However, Zelensky, possibly influenced by European leaders such as Emmanuel Macron and Keir Starmer, believed the deal was solely about resources. He saw it as an opportunity to secure continued U.S. military aid. What he didn’t realize was that the agreement was central to Trump’s broader strategy—using it as leverage in negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump aimed to reshape the Ukraine conflict into a matter of business and national interest, echoing Henry Kissinger’s infamous view: “America has no permanent friends or enemies, only interests.”
Zelensky’s Bold Move
During the meeting, Zelensky made a calculated attempt to shift the discussion towards securing additional U.S. military support. For 34 minutes, he repeated Ukraine’s war narrative, positioning himself as a firm leader unwilling to compromise with Russia. However, Trump remained silent, knowing the deal’s finalization would change the situation.
At a critical moment, U.S. Vice President JD Vance directly asked Zelensky: “Do you acknowledge that Ukraine is facing a serious crisis?”
Zelensky’s response was defiant: “Everyone at war faces problems, including you. But you have an entire ocean between you and this war, so you don’t feel it now. But you will feel it in the future. Thank God, thank God, thank God.”
This statement, interpreted by some as a warning or even a veiled threat, prompted Trump to cut the conversation short. “You don’t know what we will feel,” Trump responded. “We are trying to solve a problem. Don’t tell us what we will feel.”
Conclusion: A Shift in U.S. Policy?
Trump ended the meeting after 46 minutes, telling reporters, “I think we’ve seen enough for today. We’ll find a solution.”
The meeting revealed a stark reality—while Zelensky sought to reinforce his stance and secure military backing, Trump saw Ukraine’s war as a business matter rather than a democratic struggle. If Trump’s approach prevails, the U.S. may shift away from active involvement in Ukraine, leaving Europe to face the consequences alone.
For European leaders, this serves as a wake-up call: a U.S. retreat could mean a strategic nightmare for the continent, while for Washington, it would be nothing more than a calculated victory.
