Letter writers
| Treasure Coast Newspapers
Trump and Vance clash with Ukraine’s Zelenskyy at White House
President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance clash with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House in Washington on Feb. 28, 2025.
Reuters
- Readers share their opinions of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to the White House.
- Some readers criticize Zelenskyy’s behavior during the meeting with former President Donald Trump.
- Other readers defend Zelenskyy and criticize Trump’s actions during the meeting.
Zelenskyy plays with nuclear fire in dealing with Russia
I am not surprised many in the media and many Americans blame President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance for the confrontation with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that took place publicly at the White House before a live television audience.
Zelenskyy wanted Trump to agree to allow Ukraine to be part of NATO before accepting any peace agreement with Russia. Trump accurately understands that would have permitted a steppingstone to a nuclear war.
The motivation for decision-making in Russia and China, for that matter, is survival. President Vladimir Putin of Russia and President Xi Jinping of China, if forced into a major confrontation, are willing to destroy the world with them.
China has endured more revolutions in 5,000 years than any other major country. In the 20th century, Russia has endured more violent changes of power than any major nation.
Zelenskyy is in a survival mode as well. He got all he was going to get from the United States now that President Joe Biden is gone. Zelenskyy needs Europe and, especially French President Emmanuel Macron, to be in charge of any negotiation with Russia. Zelenskyy knows he can better manipulate ineffective European leaders and obtain more funding from them than he can manipulate Trump.
Zelenskyy is willing to obtain nuclear destruction rather than lose power himself. This is a very critical time in the world.
Stanford Erickson, Vero Beach
Zelenskyy’s boorish behavior unacceptable
Thank God we now have a president with the courage and strength to put Americans first, especially before the beggars of the world. It is about time that we stop being the world’s keeper.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s behavior at the White House was reprehensible, juvenile and typical of the autocratic philosophy of the countries of Europe. How many wars do we have to subsidize? If the situations were reversed, America could not depend on help from any other nation.
If anyone watched the Bret Baier show on FOX the other night, they would have seen his interview with Zelenskyy. In the time between being escorted out of the White House and the interview, Zelenskyy had his beard trimmed and had a haircut, and was all prepared to show off to the world.
He was totally unimpressive, especially after he refused to apologize to President Donald Trump and Americans for his boorish behavior. At any moment, I expected him to stand up and stamp his feet in outrage.
Until and unless this former nightclub comedian admits his mistakes and apologizes to our president (who was in the people’s official home — the White House) and to us, I will never want to give him another dollar.
We are so proud of President Trump.
Nancy Celano, Sebastian
Zelenskyy owes Trump apology? I think not
I would hope Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy would accept my abject apology for the way he was treated at his meeting with President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance at the Oval Office.
As an American, I was ashamed of their behavior — the constant interruptions and yelling, not allowing Zelenskyy to complete his sentences. They acted not like statesmen or gentlemen; they acted like bullies. I think the fact Vladimir Putin applauded Trump and Vance says it all.
It was obvious Trump was not interested in showing support for Zelenskyy’s efforts in fighting off the Russian invasion; he does not even acknowledge the Russians are responsible for this war. His only interest was to secure the mineral rights’ deal and have it televised. How considerate of him to attempt to take advantage of Zelenskyy’s country in this manner during its struggle.
I believe most Americans support Ukraine in its fight with Russia. I hope our senators and congressmen and women do not sanction Trump’s stance and behavior exhibited at the meeting. Knowing politics, however, I believe most Republicans will line up with Trump, fearing backlash if they do not. I hope I’m wrong.
I am a registered Republican, but I did not vote for Trump, and now I’m glad I didn’t. His behavior is not presidential; it is reprehensible.
My best wishes for Zelenskyy and Ukraine.
Mark Averett, Jensen Beach
Ambush, humiliation of enemy empowers Putin
I still can’t get over the shock of watching Donald Trump and JD Vance ambush and then try to humiliate President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine, who is the elected leader of that democratic country.
That being noted, I don’t know of any American outside of MAGAs in the federal and state governments who voted to make the United States a handmaiden of Vladimir Putin.
Joan Fox, Vero Beach
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