Thank you, Mindy, again. There is no one I want to hear from, interpreting the ways of the world, as I do you. You have a moral compass, Havel-like— which is all to your credit and a great gift to us —so that your analysis cuts deeper than the partisan divide. The gospel of the kingdom requires that.
Well said Mindy. The whole episode infuriates me as well. American bullies admonishing a non-native English speaker has become shamefully and despairingly on-brand to the rest of the world. That it was done in the Oval Office in front of the media including a reporter from Russian State media is shocking in so many ways until one realizes that it was likely theater for Putin’s benefit. We are indeed now, or rather again, on the wrong side of history.
A shameful performance. Zero empathy from US leaders for a country suffering 3 years of invasion and atrocity. I can only conclude that the goal was to scuttle a deal and blame it on Zelensky.
Thank you, Mindy, for sharing your perspective. I was embarrassed as an U.S. citizen for the behavior of our president and vice president. I think the whole thing was planned and orchestrated by them with the intent of disparaging Zelenskyy.
History is written from two sides and ususally the conqueror's prevails. Your article and that of Timonthy Synder are very one sided. Much of this started many years ago under the presidency of Obama (Crimea) and then Biden(Burisma). Both those administrations played a big part in what the world faces today. I beleive it a stretch and simplistic to call Ukraine a democracy. "The Economist Intelligence Unit assesses nations' democratic status in its annual Democracy Index. The 2021 index concluded that Ukraine was a "flawed democracy" and also described it as a "hybrid regime.". It is listed as 3rd in Europe as most corrupt behind Russai and Azerbijan. I have always appreciated your insights in the Middle East. However, I am disapointed with the one sided approach to this article.
Even if what you say is true (it’s not — Ukraine IS a democracy) how is your point relevant? The issue is — Ukraine WAS moving to a reality where democracy would improve and corruption would decrease and allowing Russia to determine Ukraine’s future stops all that. In fact, keeping Ukraine as a corrupt, authoritarian vassal state to be absorbed into the new Russian Empire was Russia’s reason for invasion.
Thank you for sharing. I am embarrassed and ashamed as an American. Where is the moral courage needed in The White House? I do not understand why no one will stand up to Putin~
Timothy Snyder, who you referenced, was certainly one sided and did not discern any legitimate reasons for the administrations anger. The unspoken reality is that the United States is in a proxy war with Russia. It is insane and unreasonable. Maybe we should be furious. Russia will never stop fighting, and Ukraine is going to lose by attrition. Unless we want WWIII Ukraine is going to have to give up those Russian speaking areas of Ukraine. I suspect that what triggered Trump and Vance was Zelensky trying to make the case that diplomacy with Russia has been tried and failed. Was Zelensky just making a point or tacitly casting doubt on the administration's whole plan? This is Zelensky's big claim back home; we must continue to fight because no deal with Russian is possible. My experience is that when people are triggered like this, there is a whole lot of previous conversation that the public is not privy to. That is what I saw in that room.
I’m sorry Mindy but I respectfully disagree with your analysis. Yes it was stunning to see this happen in a press conference but Zelensky was disrespectful to the President and to our country. He cannot win this war without our weapons and probably our boots or other NATO countries boots on the ground. But Trump does not want to continue this war with our resources. Trump says he wants an end to the killing as I believe the Ukrainian people and the Russian people do too . CNN interviewed Marco Rubio yesterday
which is worth watching on the back story that led up to this meeting.
I keep hearing that Zelensky was "disrespectful." Can you explain how? Was it because he didn't "yes" to everything being said? Because he dared to disagree and question the validity of their plan? Was it because he spoke at all? I truly don't see what could be considered disrespectful in his words. The others, however, were absolutely disrespectful. It is perfectly fine for the president to need to refuse to grant what Zelensky wants from us. However, that conversation can be held with empathy and measured words and tones without yelling, without berating, and without allowing your other guests (the press) to make fun of the clothing worn by a visiting head of state! I can't imagine another president in history who would have acted toward a world leader with so much rudeness and unkindness. It was embarrassing.
Yes Russia invaded Ukraine. Yes Putin is a despot. Yes Zalenski has rallied his people to fight and with billions of US dollars has basically held Russia at bay. But what Zelensky wants is billions more weaponry to keep the war going. There’s no way through combat he will ever defeat Russia. This thing would go on for years under those circumstances. Ending this thing and getting a peace deal is going to be tough, and will require drastic measures on both sides. Trump is trying to get the ball moving in that direction and by his actions yesterday, Zelensky doesn’t want any part of it. He wants the status quo. The minerals deal on the table would have ensured US involvement in the stability of Ukraine for years to come. Zalensky blew it off, instead demanding more weaponry. And for him to come into the Oval Office and demand that is the unconscionable thing here. I seriously doubt he will ever lead Ukraine to the table to secure peace.
I appreciate your knowledge in these areas, Bud, and friendship! And to reiterate what Snyder says, of course there will be differences about how to end a war. It's the bullying and shaming (and I would add, falsehoods) that are out of bounds. And even counterproductive. You know better than I, but it seems to me there are tactical ways through strategic differences: Zelensky is asking for security guarantees. Specifically he wants air defense systems and interceptor missiles. These could end civilian carnage, as we've seen US-funded systems do for Tel Aviv. And then ceasefire and negotiated agreement are possible, and everyone is on the hook. Now Putin is not on any hook. I get the disagreements over what happened yesterday, and it might be chalked to inexperienced scheduling secretaries. Highly unusually for a head of state to be escorted from his car to the OO with waiting press, and get down to business. If either side is genuinely interested in coming to terms, this conversation should've happened behind closed doors and apart from inane press questions and Vance poking a visiting leader who is his senior.
Thank you Mindy. The whole thing is heartbreaking...Our government seems to have lost any sense of moral center.
Thank you, Mindy, again. There is no one I want to hear from, interpreting the ways of the world, as I do you. You have a moral compass, Havel-like— which is all to your credit and a great gift to us —so that your analysis cuts deeper than the partisan divide. The gospel of the kingdom requires that.
Well said Mindy. The whole episode infuriates me as well. American bullies admonishing a non-native English speaker has become shamefully and despairingly on-brand to the rest of the world. That it was done in the Oval Office in front of the media including a reporter from Russian State media is shocking in so many ways until one realizes that it was likely theater for Putin’s benefit. We are indeed now, or rather again, on the wrong side of history.
A shameful performance. Zero empathy from US leaders for a country suffering 3 years of invasion and atrocity. I can only conclude that the goal was to scuttle a deal and blame it on Zelensky.
Thank you for your reporting and analysis. Your voice is needed. I'm grieving.
Thank you, Mindy, for sharing your perspective. I was embarrassed as an U.S. citizen for the behavior of our president and vice president. I think the whole thing was planned and orchestrated by them with the intent of disparaging Zelenskyy.
History is written from two sides and ususally the conqueror's prevails. Your article and that of Timonthy Synder are very one sided. Much of this started many years ago under the presidency of Obama (Crimea) and then Biden(Burisma). Both those administrations played a big part in what the world faces today. I beleive it a stretch and simplistic to call Ukraine a democracy. "The Economist Intelligence Unit assesses nations' democratic status in its annual Democracy Index. The 2021 index concluded that Ukraine was a "flawed democracy" and also described it as a "hybrid regime.". It is listed as 3rd in Europe as most corrupt behind Russai and Azerbijan. I have always appreciated your insights in the Middle East. However, I am disapointed with the one sided approach to this article.
Even if what you say is true (it’s not — Ukraine IS a democracy) how is your point relevant? The issue is — Ukraine WAS moving to a reality where democracy would improve and corruption would decrease and allowing Russia to determine Ukraine’s future stops all that. In fact, keeping Ukraine as a corrupt, authoritarian vassal state to be absorbed into the new Russian Empire was Russia’s reason for invasion.
Thank you for sharing. I am embarrassed and ashamed as an American. Where is the moral courage needed in The White House? I do not understand why no one will stand up to Putin~
(or to Trump).
Timothy Snyder, who you referenced, was certainly one sided and did not discern any legitimate reasons for the administrations anger. The unspoken reality is that the United States is in a proxy war with Russia. It is insane and unreasonable. Maybe we should be furious. Russia will never stop fighting, and Ukraine is going to lose by attrition. Unless we want WWIII Ukraine is going to have to give up those Russian speaking areas of Ukraine. I suspect that what triggered Trump and Vance was Zelensky trying to make the case that diplomacy with Russia has been tried and failed. Was Zelensky just making a point or tacitly casting doubt on the administration's whole plan? This is Zelensky's big claim back home; we must continue to fight because no deal with Russian is possible. My experience is that when people are triggered like this, there is a whole lot of previous conversation that the public is not privy to. That is what I saw in that room.
There are so many possible objections and counterpoints to your post, but I’ll stick with one. Why would you assume “Russia will never stop fighting”?
Thank you Mindy. I agree with you 100%.
Thanks for writing this Mindy. Helpful reasoning when all I feel is incredible rage at the injustice of it all
Thank you x a million, Mindy.
Thanks for your comments. Well said.
I felt ill watching the attacks by our President and VP... Thank you for your reporting!
I’m sorry Mindy but I respectfully disagree with your analysis. Yes it was stunning to see this happen in a press conference but Zelensky was disrespectful to the President and to our country. He cannot win this war without our weapons and probably our boots or other NATO countries boots on the ground. But Trump does not want to continue this war with our resources. Trump says he wants an end to the killing as I believe the Ukrainian people and the Russian people do too . CNN interviewed Marco Rubio yesterday
which is worth watching on the back story that led up to this meeting.
I keep hearing that Zelensky was "disrespectful." Can you explain how? Was it because he didn't "yes" to everything being said? Because he dared to disagree and question the validity of their plan? Was it because he spoke at all? I truly don't see what could be considered disrespectful in his words. The others, however, were absolutely disrespectful. It is perfectly fine for the president to need to refuse to grant what Zelensky wants from us. However, that conversation can be held with empathy and measured words and tones without yelling, without berating, and without allowing your other guests (the press) to make fun of the clothing worn by a visiting head of state! I can't imagine another president in history who would have acted toward a world leader with so much rudeness and unkindness. It was embarrassing.
Yes Russia invaded Ukraine. Yes Putin is a despot. Yes Zalenski has rallied his people to fight and with billions of US dollars has basically held Russia at bay. But what Zelensky wants is billions more weaponry to keep the war going. There’s no way through combat he will ever defeat Russia. This thing would go on for years under those circumstances. Ending this thing and getting a peace deal is going to be tough, and will require drastic measures on both sides. Trump is trying to get the ball moving in that direction and by his actions yesterday, Zelensky doesn’t want any part of it. He wants the status quo. The minerals deal on the table would have ensured US involvement in the stability of Ukraine for years to come. Zalensky blew it off, instead demanding more weaponry. And for him to come into the Oval Office and demand that is the unconscionable thing here. I seriously doubt he will ever lead Ukraine to the table to secure peace.
I appreciate your knowledge in these areas, Bud, and friendship! And to reiterate what Snyder says, of course there will be differences about how to end a war. It's the bullying and shaming (and I would add, falsehoods) that are out of bounds. And even counterproductive. You know better than I, but it seems to me there are tactical ways through strategic differences: Zelensky is asking for security guarantees. Specifically he wants air defense systems and interceptor missiles. These could end civilian carnage, as we've seen US-funded systems do for Tel Aviv. And then ceasefire and negotiated agreement are possible, and everyone is on the hook. Now Putin is not on any hook. I get the disagreements over what happened yesterday, and it might be chalked to inexperienced scheduling secretaries. Highly unusually for a head of state to be escorted from his car to the OO with waiting press, and get down to business. If either side is genuinely interested in coming to terms, this conversation should've happened behind closed doors and apart from inane press questions and Vance poking a visiting leader who is his senior.