Hertfordshire, England, UK – After positive talks of a mineral deal between the U.S. and Ukraine, American President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance disrespected Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in front of the world’s media with countless tone deaf questions.
During the exchange at the White House and despite the current crisis in Ukraine, conservative media personality Brian Glenn asked Zelenskyy, “Why don’t you wear a suit?”
This disregard for the humanitarian suffering in Ukraine – choosing not to focus on people but instead appearances – shows the growing corruption of the U.S. government.
Vance and Trump went on to demand gratitude from Zelenskyy, Vance telling the Ukrainian leader to be grateful to Trump as the American president is trying to save Ukraine.
But that is completely at odds with the actions of Trump and his administration.
In a United Nations resolution last week, the U.S. never condemned Russia, focusing only on ending the war.
Trump does not have Ukraine’s best interests at heart. He openly follows an ‘America first’ policy and will continue to support the undemocratic and volatile Russian President Vlaimir Putin as long as he deems it beneficial to him and his vision for America.
Vance demanding gratitude from Zelensky just after Trump has threatened to remove all support from Ukraine leads America’s leaders to appear petulant and egotistical- demanding praise instead of trying to solve the international problem of this war.
It also disregards Europe’s efforts to support Ukraine.
Despite Trump’s claim that America has spent $350 billion in Ukraine, the German think tank Kiel Institute for the World Economy, estimates the number is closer to $120 billion.
Europe is estimated to have spent $140 billion, yet no European leaders have insisted on thanks for their support, as they recognize Zelenskyy has bigger problems to deal with.
Zelensky arrived in London today to meet with the UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who just returned from his own visit to the White House.
Starmer welcomed Zelensky with a warm hug, an outward display of the UK’s continued support of Ukraine in this war.
The shallow and immature questions coming from Trump and Vance when compared with the sustained solace given by Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and many other leaders of the world’s democracies provides a shocking contrast that emphasizes the transformation of America’s values.
The U.S. is no longer a soft power. Their reputation for using international aid to build positive relationships with other countries is quickly becoming a thing of the past.
The Oval Office meeting only confirmed what so many already feared – Trump does not care who wins this war.
Elodie Cockerell is a Junior Reporter and Senior Illustrator with Youth Journalism International.
