Global Reaction: Kremlin, Orbán Praise Trump for 'Slapdown' of Zelensky While Rest of the World Praises Zelensky and Ukraine
Trump Again Executes Kremlin Propaganda Points -- but he also reveals something that is perhaps significant about his mindset.
Yesterday's unprecedented heated exchange between President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was an unmitigated disaster for US-Ukrainian relations and not surprisingly brought instant praise from the Kremlin and authoritarian Hungarian leader Viktor Orbán. Meanwhile, leaders of the rest of Europe scrambled to voice support for Ukraine and express shock at Trump's treatment of the Ukrainian president. A luncheon and joint press conference were canceled, and the rare earth minerals deal went unsigned.
Kremlin Reacts with Glee
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev gloated that Zelensky received a "solid slap down" in the Oval Office, calling it a "moment of truth" that demonstrated Ukraine’s declining influence on the world stage. Kremlin spokesperson Maria Zakharova highlighted Trump and Vance’s restraint as Zelensky “pleaded for more aid,” contrasting it with what she called Ukraine’s “desperate and humiliating begging” for Western support. Meanwhile, Russian state media went into overdrive, airing segments framing the meeting as evidence that the U.S. is tiring of its commitment to Ukraine. Rossiya 1’s prime-time host Vladimir Solovyov mocked Zelensky as a “disobedient puppet who just got scolded,” while RT ran multiple stories emphasizing that “America’s patience with Ukraine is running out.” Kremlin-backed Telegram channels celebrated the moment as a “geopolitical shift” in which Washington was finally acknowledging the futility of aiding Ukraine. Russian officials also signaled that the meeting reinforced their belief that Ukraine would eventually be forced into negotiations on Moscow’s terms. The incident was widely used in Russian propaganda to further demoralize Ukrainians and encourage Western factions calling for an end to military assistance.
Orbán’s Supports Trump
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Europe’s most pro-Kremlin leader, also praised Trump’s handling of the meeting, characterizing it as a long-overdue correction in U.S.-Ukraine relations. Orbán, who has repeatedly stalled EU aid to Ukraine and maintained close ties with Vladimir Putin, framed Trump’s stance as a necessary shift away from “Western warmongering” and toward a more “balanced peace effort.” His comments were widely covered in Russian state media as further validation of Trump’s approach.
European Reaction—Treatment of Zelensky Condemned
In contrast, European leaders were quick to reaffirm their commitment to Ukraine and condemn Trump’s treatment of Zelensky. French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized that Russia remains the aggressor and Ukraine the victim, vowing continued support. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz criticized Trump’s rhetoric, stating that it undermines international efforts to ensure Ukraine’s sovereignty. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, along with leaders from Poland, the Baltic states, and Scandinavian countries, expressed unwavering solidarity with Zelensky and voiced concern about the implications of Trump’s behavior.
Rest of the World
Outside of Europe, global leaders also weighed in. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called Trump’s actions “unacceptable,” stressing that democratic nations must stand united in the face of Russian aggression. Japanese officials reiterated their support for Ukraine and warned that weakening the international stance against Russia could embolden other authoritarian regimes, notably China. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that defending Ukraine is critical to upholding global stability.
Commentary: What Do We Make of This?
Once again, we see complete alignment between Trump's position and that of the Kremlin. This is significant and goes directly to the issue of — just what is going on with Trump and Putin’s Russia. It would be pointing out the obvious to say that this behavior by Trump is consistent with “Agent Krasnov.”
But perhaps there is some nuance to comment on. While it could be argued that this was a planned “ambush” by Trump and Vance, there was no way they could have predicted Zelensky’s forceful reaction. That reaction, in turn, generated a remarkable, spontaneous moment in which Trump “lost it” and lashed out at Zelensky in a visceral, organic way. The fact that this was spontaneous and, obviously, visceral is worth thinking about.
Why? I would argue that this kind of powerful, visceral browbeating by Trump goes a long way toward removing any doubt that Trump’s is authetically in full alignment with the Kremlin. Specifically, it provides evidence that Trump’s alignment with Putin is not merely strategic or coerced because of ‘kompromat’ but rather it adds to the likelihood that, for whatever combination of reasons —- Trump is all-in with Putin, not a reluctant, compromised asset. Is this a major revelation? No. But it’s a takeaway from this incident that is worth noting.
When Trump says Zelensky should be for peace, he means "surrender".
“But perhaps there is some nuance to comment on. While it could be argued that this was a planned “ambush” by Trump and Vance, there was no way they could have predicted Zelensky’s forceful reaction. That reaction, in turn, generated a remarkable, spontaneous moment in which Trump “lost it” and lashed out at Zelensky in a visceral, organic way. The fact that this was spontaneous and, obviously, visceral is worth thinking about.”
Great analysis Michael. Personally, I definitely believe this was a deliberate ambush. Vice President’s never speak in these meetings. Pence was either a potted plant, or a cardboard cutout in every meeting he ever had with Trump, and any other foreign leader or dignitary.
And as far as far as Zelenskyy’s “forceful” reaction? Zelenskyy had no choice but to react in that way. Vance, essentially was re-writing the entire script of how the war started; not as a question for discussion, but as fact.
If Zelenskyy had allowed Vance the last word, Vance would have reshaped the narrative which would have been shared across social media, reinforcing the Kremlin’s position and talking points. He couldn’t let it stand. And to add insult to injury, half the press Corp was in on it. The guy who asked why Zelenskyy wasn’t wearing a suit: Seriously? And then you heard laughter emanating from a group of reporters, who are actually nothing more than MAGA influencers.
This was a shakedown, and takedown of the leader of an allied nation under attack, and fighting for his country’s life. Not only did they make a desperate man grovel for a meal on national television; it was despicable on so many levels, I can’t even count the ways!
Furthermore, my biggest concern, is whether Trump is acting alone, and his acolytes are just trying to please the boss, or are there others who have been compromised. Trump wasn’t alone in the 80’s when the Kremlin was recruiting reputable businessmen and politicians into its grasp or orbit.
Additionally, we also know after 2008, there were guys like Musk, who were on the verge of bankruptcy; leveraged to the hilt. How many others might have been influenced, or bailed out during that time period?
Moreover, Trump’s sale of the West Palm Beach Estate for double the money he paid, when real estate prices had collapsed throughout the US, is a perfect example of a man completely leveraged to the hilt, and suddenly has a cash infusion. We also know that Trump had financial issues at the time, because his Trump Tower Chicago construction loans, were close to default at the time (lawsuit with Deutsche Bank).
And it’s been well documented that The GRU was running various spy networks (some clandestine, others were not), whose goal was to infiltrate members of the NRA, C-PAC, The Federalist Society, and other Republican organizations with influence throughout our government. This is well documented through public records, and FBI investigations.
That said, let’s face it, this is a complete paradigm shift. We are upending the entire world order to support a global pariah, with a GDP smaller than four US states, and harming all of our allies across the globe that account for more than 30% of all global GDP, not including the US (EU, Canada, Mexico, Japan, Australia, Great Britain, and South Korea). In contrast, Russia has a GDP the size of Italy, with 100 million more people.
That said, I agree, the reaction, was a shot across the bow, and has galvanized all of our “former” allies. The responses have been quick and notable. The Ukrainian Parliament voted unanimously to keep Zelenskyy in power: 286-0! Japan, South Korea, Canada, Australia and many others have spoken out, but more importantly, they understand that “America First, is America alone!”
Our allies have definitely gotten the memo, and hopefully for some of the institutionalist’s, if any still exist in the Republican Party: to give pause.
Lastly, my biggest fear is a nuclear armed Europe! What could possibly go wrong? And if Germany goes nuclear, it just may be in time for the next German election; possibly bringing a new White Nationalist party to power! It’s possible given the current state of affairs across Europe (the rise of white nationalism and hate groups across the continent).
Either way, our present trajectory is heading us straight into the iceberg at full steam ahead. And like it or not, we are all Americans, regardless of who is in power; this is on all of us, which is the deepest cut of all! IMHO!