The Zelensky- Trump Setup

COL#235/3/2/25

THE ZELENSKY- TRUMP SETUP
By
Richard Davis

If you think that the shouting match that unfolded between Zelensky and Trump in the White House was some sort of spontaneous, unexpected event then I have some oceanfront property in Nebraska I can sell you for a very low price.

Trump never intended to make a deal with Ukraine’s leader so he used his usual grifter/bully tactics to stage an event that would allow him to withdraw U.S. support from Ukraine. At least in his twisted, devious mind he would now be able to throw all support behind Russia.

The entire scene in the White House was bizarre from the start. It was billed as a deal-making event where Ukraine would agree to sell rare earth minerals to the U.S. in exchange for concessions in the Russia-Ukraine war.

On Wednesday, prior to Friday’s WWE simulation in the White House, it seemed a plan was in place for some degree of diplomacy According to an NBC News report, “The agreement appears to involve concessions on both sides, with Ukraine not receiving the security guarantees it urgently wants to help it defeat Russian forces. Ukraine and the U.S. have outlined an agreement in which they would jointly fund Ukraine’s future security and reconstruction using an investment fund powered by the country’s rare earth minerals, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Wednesday.

However Zelenskyy said the deal would fail if it did not adequately provide for Ukraine’s future security against Russia — and only looked after American interests.

“If I see and hear a broader vision from him [President Donald Trump] — one that aligns with our concept of a just peace for Ukraine — then this agreement can be part of broader security guarantees,” Zelenskyy told a news conference.”

This deal would have put Ukraine on the defensive and made it nearly impossible for the country to end its war without losing almost everything it fought for. Yet, Zelensky showed up to work on a deal with the U.S. knowing he was already backed into a corner. I feel confident speculating that Trump had no intention of making a deal with Zelensky and likely colluded with Vice President Vance to push Zelensky’s head into the sand as they displayed their most juvenile backyard bully personas.

When Trump kept repeating that Zelensky had disrespected the U.S. it had the tone of a gang leader who has just grabbed a rival gang member and is about to execute him because he had disrespected his gang. The U.S, has now entered the world of “my way or the highway” diplomacy, although diplomacy is hardly the right word.

I don’t have any diplomatic experience, but I would expect sensitive negotiations to be held in private. Why did Trump pack the room with interested parties and the media? Because he knew that he was going to create a media-worthy event. He staged the whole thing knowing that he could easily beat up on Zelensky and that he would be able to justify his total support for Russia.

So what’s next? Will Trump call his buddy Putin and tell him he has a green light to decimate Ukraine while Trump withdraws all U.S. support? This is not only a sad day for all Ukrainians but for the entire world. Trump has made it clear how he will try to get his way whenever he wants. The U.S. will be further vilified throughout the world and Ukraine may no longer be an independent country.