Zelenskyy’s Mar-a-Lago Meeting with Trump Risks Undermining Ukraine’s Moral High Ground
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s decision to meet US President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago represents a potential strategic misstep in Ukraine’s broader “war of legitimacy,” critics argue. By engaging Trump, who has been characterized as structurally weak toward Russian President Vladimir Putin and akin to Putin enablers such as Hungary’s Viktor Orbán, Slovakia’s Robert Fico, and Belarus’s Aleksandr Lukashenko, Zelenskyy may inadvertently normalize Moscow’s aggression, weaken international sanctions, and signal a readiness to compromise on core principles.
Ukraine’s post-2022 resilience has stemmed from unwavering moral clarity: labeling aggression as such, rejecting occupation, and isolating Putin rather than laundering his influence through Western populists. “We can’t let this Mar-a-Lago farce slide,” one observer urged. “A handful of principled voices can dismantle Putin’s web of deceit, but shaking hands with Trump’s Putin-sympathizing circle hands them the megaphone. It’s time to amp up the outrage: demand true isolation of aggressors, shatter the normalization, and mobilize for Ukraine’s unyielding moral stance—expose this as the betrayal it is.”
As talks unfold amid ongoing Russian bombardments, the encounter highlights the delicate balance between diplomacy and principle in Kyiv’s fight for sovereignty.
I would disagree. Zelenskyy is keeping the public involved in observing the negotiations and can now see how imbalanced and unfair the “neutral” involvement of Trump is.
Now Zelenskyy can continue to ramp up its own efforts to outsmart and outmaneuver the clunky old Soviet military system that Putin as an old KBG agent only sees as a means to his desire to once more create his own Soviet Union. But soldiers tend to think more in terms of battles and logistics than political maneuvering.
If Ukraine can keep the war going with surprises like its long range missiles strikes and targeting of Russia’s own infrastructure, then its people will start complaining. And Russian people still exist in a serf like world. But they will only take so much and Putin’s complete unconcern for the Russian economy will be his downfall.
Literally the worst president—and he never surprises any of us by lowering the bar.
When you think it can’t get worse, it does. What’s right: His chaotic leadership tanks approval ratings to 37-41%, fueling historian rankings that place him dead last. What’s wrong: Using the same blame-shifting tactics he deploys against Epstein survivors (redirecting to Democrats and media “witch hunts” to dodge scrutiny) on Ukraine—scolding Zelenskyy and expressing “anger” over Russia’s unverified “drone attack” claims on Putin’s residence, as if Ukraine’s the villain here, not the invaded. It normalizes aggression and weakens allies. Time to call it out.
Just minutes ago Trump relays Putin’s claim that Russia wants Ukraine to succeed — by making it energy-dependent on Moscow. That’s not success, that’s vassalhood with a propaganda wrapper. This perfectly illustrates the the Mar-a-Lago hotline. Trump is just translating Russian talking points, not negotiating actual peace. Energy dependence is the mechanism of control, not development.
Entertaining Trump's offer of false diplomacy is a wasted effort on Zelensky's part and while they dilly-dally, nuclear proliferation is in the offing. Ukraine will only win backed by Europe in forming a post-NATO coalition.
Which it will do. But currently Zelenskyy is providing a master class to the world of how to tire out your opponent. Trump just wants his name on something. He has no idea what nor does he care. But Zelenskyy’s public communications with him no matter that they will go nowhere mean that Putin doesn’t dare act too aggressively and “disappoint” Trump.
Zelenskyy has to humor Trump with these meetings lest Trump go even further in aiding Putin by relaxing more sanctions or withdrawing his offer to sell weapons to NATO nations so they can supply them to Ukraine. There is still much for Ukraine to lose if he leaves Trump feeling spurned or looking like a fool. Of course Trump always looks like a fool but not in his own eyes.
"Europe does not defend itself at its borders in Brussels, Berlin or Paris. Europe defends itself on the frontline. And today, that frontline is Ukraine." [Credit: Rolf Ivar Skår]
Only the decisive defeat of the Russian Federation's armed forces in Ukraine will lead to a just and equitable peace, Russian accountability, and a brighter future for Europe and the world.
If you want to the war quickly, the only sure way to do it is boost Ukraine’s armed forces with every weapon they can absorb NOW.
A cease fire for its own sake will only inure to the benefit of the Russian Federation.
Talk is cheap. Actions speak louder than words. Time to stop enabling the Kremlin's imperial ambitions.
Let’s face it, if Trump weren’t ignorant, stupid, and incapable of leadership, the U.S. wouldn’t be susceptible to putin’s manipulation, because there would be a team of smart experts advising him ahead of the call. Nothing this administration does is competent or planned adequately.
I don’t know why I’m still waiting for corporate media to *at least* report on patterns of Trump’s (destructive) behavior, like these calls with Putin before meeting with Zelensky.
Sigh
I also remember when Trump paused (PAUSED!) a meeting, taking place in the White House, to “brief” Putin for almost an hour. An HOUR!
A weird detail: the attendees spent the intermission cooling their heels in the Roosevelt Room while Trump chatted with his man-crush.
This was after the Trump/Putin Alaska “Summit” debacle, when Mark Rutte, Ursula von der Leyen, and leaders from Britain, Germany, France, Italy, and Finland, rushed to D.C. in support of Zelensky.
Too many Americans are ignorant of the rest of the world and too focused on their own economic problems. We are working to get Trump out of power which is the only way we can rejoin the civilized world and fight to fascist Russian state.
I was going through the MSN news feed and came across a documentary called Cover Up that got a 100% Rotten Tomatoes rating....since that is highly unusual my wife and I watched it on Netflix and it's not only powerfully done but is so germane about what we are going through now
The film covers the story of Pulitzer prize winning investigative journalist Seymour “Sy” Hersh and his uncovering military(MyLai massacre), government(Watergate), and corporate corruption(Paramount fraud) secrets that power doesn’t want in public discourse WE the People need “truth tellers” these days that will be willing to expose Cheeto regime’s corruption Although this happens to be more out in the open with its brazenness, there is more to be told For example, who is responsible for fhe murders of 100+ people in boats? How much money is being paid for pardons? How much money is Big Oil paying the Nazi Republicans to force Venezuela to surrender?
And here's a followup discussion on YouTube(bit.ly/4aA2ikl) that is an appropriate discussion about the past America and the current state that the country is in
I am sorry to say i have shyed away from sharing any views on the conflict, as it's been a pretty depressing few years, but this is one of the best pieces of advocacy i have read for not giving up hope, for not succumbing to frustration and powerlessness. I hope the reality this piece travels around the free world and one day the people of Ukraine and Russia will both be free from such a game.
Please keep talking about strategy. I get that Putin, with limited Russian assets, has won concessions from Europe and US since he took office. I don’t yet understand winning by setting the stage. I understand that Putin threatens to use nuclear weapons if denied his acquisition of territory. Is the fear he might do it called an advantage of using ambiguity to set the framework?
I do enjoy the facts and recent historical contexts that Mr. Kasparov presents in his essays. I learn quite a bit from him and the information he provides is extremely valuable. I was struck in this piece by one of his comments. "Putin has always exploited impressionable American officials (take a look at the recently unveiled transcripts of George W. Bush’s deferential calls with Putin, or the extreme naivete displayed by Barack Obama in his “reset” with Russia)." Many may consider what I'm about to say as petty, however, it is not in the context with which I am speaking. I noticed that in his description of George W. Bush, the calls themselves are criticized. With Barack Obama, his character and intelligence is criticized. This is really not a small thing given the role that institutionalized anti-black racism plays in this country. What we tend to notice as racism are the blatant things like lynchings. But a group of people in this country has been targeted with discrimination since the founding of the country and it has never been fully repudiated, nor repented. That, to me, is a pathology that continues to keep this country from being what it could be. It's likely that Mr. Kasparov's distinction was unconscious, for us white people it is a lot of the time. But to remedy that we must become conscious of the insidious racism and bias that continues to exist if we are to rid ourselves of this pathology. I do not say this to distract from the meaning and intention of the entire article -- but so much of our subconscious biases are expressed in the midst of important topics. I do wish we would face it and remedy it once and for all.
The nuclear threat is a constant feature of any and all negotiations with Putin. But he also has seen how threats and little actions in specific places makes people back up just like a snarling dog does.
Someone with skill must calm the dog down and prove that he’s harmless or just shoot him.
Garry, This article should feature prominently in all major (reputed) news outlets - starting with the the NYT. You've called out the 'board-setting', the deisred outcome for the perpertrator (floundering) and the next moves that can be expected. This is a foundational course for grasping what's going on in this theater-of-war.
Zelenskyy’s Mar-a-Lago Meeting with Trump Risks Undermining Ukraine’s Moral High Ground
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s decision to meet US President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago represents a potential strategic misstep in Ukraine’s broader “war of legitimacy,” critics argue. By engaging Trump, who has been characterized as structurally weak toward Russian President Vladimir Putin and akin to Putin enablers such as Hungary’s Viktor Orbán, Slovakia’s Robert Fico, and Belarus’s Aleksandr Lukashenko, Zelenskyy may inadvertently normalize Moscow’s aggression, weaken international sanctions, and signal a readiness to compromise on core principles.
Ukraine’s post-2022 resilience has stemmed from unwavering moral clarity: labeling aggression as such, rejecting occupation, and isolating Putin rather than laundering his influence through Western populists. “We can’t let this Mar-a-Lago farce slide,” one observer urged. “A handful of principled voices can dismantle Putin’s web of deceit, but shaking hands with Trump’s Putin-sympathizing circle hands them the megaphone. It’s time to amp up the outrage: demand true isolation of aggressors, shatter the normalization, and mobilize for Ukraine’s unyielding moral stance—expose this as the betrayal it is.”
As talks unfold amid ongoing Russian bombardments, the encounter highlights the delicate balance between diplomacy and principle in Kyiv’s fight for sovereignty.
I would disagree. Zelenskyy is keeping the public involved in observing the negotiations and can now see how imbalanced and unfair the “neutral” involvement of Trump is.
Now Zelenskyy can continue to ramp up its own efforts to outsmart and outmaneuver the clunky old Soviet military system that Putin as an old KBG agent only sees as a means to his desire to once more create his own Soviet Union. But soldiers tend to think more in terms of battles and logistics than political maneuvering.
If Ukraine can keep the war going with surprises like its long range missiles strikes and targeting of Russia’s own infrastructure, then its people will start complaining. And Russian people still exist in a serf like world. But they will only take so much and Putin’s complete unconcern for the Russian economy will be his downfall.
Literally the worst president—and he never surprises any of us by lowering the bar.
When you think it can’t get worse, it does. What’s right: His chaotic leadership tanks approval ratings to 37-41%, fueling historian rankings that place him dead last. What’s wrong: Using the same blame-shifting tactics he deploys against Epstein survivors (redirecting to Democrats and media “witch hunts” to dodge scrutiny) on Ukraine—scolding Zelenskyy and expressing “anger” over Russia’s unverified “drone attack” claims on Putin’s residence, as if Ukraine’s the villain here, not the invaded. It normalizes aggression and weakens allies. Time to call it out.
Just minutes ago Trump relays Putin’s claim that Russia wants Ukraine to succeed — by making it energy-dependent on Moscow. That’s not success, that’s vassalhood with a propaganda wrapper. This perfectly illustrates the the Mar-a-Lago hotline. Trump is just translating Russian talking points, not negotiating actual peace. Energy dependence is the mechanism of control, not development.
President Zelenskyy has adequately proven he knows Trump is a 'dope' and he's 'ropeadope-ing' him for all to witness.
The Ukrainians are defeating Putin and Russia.
They will win.
Full stop.
Entertaining Trump's offer of false diplomacy is a wasted effort on Zelensky's part and while they dilly-dally, nuclear proliferation is in the offing. Ukraine will only win backed by Europe in forming a post-NATO coalition.
Have no idea who you are.
Have a very clear understanding of who President Zelenskyy is.
Adios.
Which it will do. But currently Zelenskyy is providing a master class to the world of how to tire out your opponent. Trump just wants his name on something. He has no idea what nor does he care. But Zelenskyy’s public communications with him no matter that they will go nowhere mean that Putin doesn’t dare act too aggressively and “disappoint” Trump.
Zelenskyy has to humor Trump with these meetings lest Trump go even further in aiding Putin by relaxing more sanctions or withdrawing his offer to sell weapons to NATO nations so they can supply them to Ukraine. There is still much for Ukraine to lose if he leaves Trump feeling spurned or looking like a fool. Of course Trump always looks like a fool but not in his own eyes.
DATELINE KYIV – DAY 1405 : 4331
Wake up, Europe!
"Europe does not defend itself at its borders in Brussels, Berlin or Paris. Europe defends itself on the frontline. And today, that frontline is Ukraine." [Credit: Rolf Ivar Skår]
Only the decisive defeat of the Russian Federation's armed forces in Ukraine will lead to a just and equitable peace, Russian accountability, and a brighter future for Europe and the world.
If you want to the war quickly, the only sure way to do it is boost Ukraine’s armed forces with every weapon they can absorb NOW.
A cease fire for its own sake will only inure to the benefit of the Russian Federation.
Talk is cheap. Actions speak louder than words. Time to stop enabling the Kremlin's imperial ambitions.
Time to unshackle your inner raging bull.
Time to decapitate the snake.
V/r – IB
An American in Ukraine
(2019 – Present)
СЛАВА УКРАЇНІ! | СЛАВА ЗСУ! + СБУ! + ГУР + НГУ + ДПСУ | НПУ | ДСНС | ГЕРОЯМ СЛАВА!
#ARMUKRAINENOW!
#CLOSETHESKIESOVERUKRAINENOW!
#RUSSIAISATERRORISTSTATE!
GLORY TO THOSE WHO POSSESS THE COURAGE AND THE FORESIGHT TO #STANDWITHUKRAINE!
Let’s face it, if Trump weren’t ignorant, stupid, and incapable of leadership, the U.S. wouldn’t be susceptible to putin’s manipulation, because there would be a team of smart experts advising him ahead of the call. Nothing this administration does is competent or planned adequately.
Or pro democratic allies
It's not just incompetence. They're ideologically aligned with countries like Russia
I don’t know why I’m still waiting for corporate media to *at least* report on patterns of Trump’s (destructive) behavior, like these calls with Putin before meeting with Zelensky.
Sigh
I also remember when Trump paused (PAUSED!) a meeting, taking place in the White House, to “brief” Putin for almost an hour. An HOUR!
A weird detail: the attendees spent the intermission cooling their heels in the Roosevelt Room while Trump chatted with his man-crush.
This was after the Trump/Putin Alaska “Summit” debacle, when Mark Rutte, Ursula von der Leyen, and leaders from Britain, Germany, France, Italy, and Finland, rushed to D.C. in support of Zelensky.
Insane.
It is insane.
Europe is one thing, and not a small thing either.
I'm surprised by how Americans have accepted Russia dictating their foreign policy as fate accompli.
No protests or anything!
Too many Americans are ignorant of the rest of the world and too focused on their own economic problems. We are working to get Trump out of power which is the only way we can rejoin the civilized world and fight to fascist Russian state.
DO NOT MISS THIS DOCUMENTARY
Hi all
I was going through the MSN news feed and came across a documentary called Cover Up that got a 100% Rotten Tomatoes rating....since that is highly unusual my wife and I watched it on Netflix and it's not only powerfully done but is so germane about what we are going through now
The film covers the story of Pulitzer prize winning investigative journalist Seymour “Sy” Hersh and his uncovering military(MyLai massacre), government(Watergate), and corporate corruption(Paramount fraud) secrets that power doesn’t want in public discourse WE the People need “truth tellers” these days that will be willing to expose Cheeto regime’s corruption Although this happens to be more out in the open with its brazenness, there is more to be told For example, who is responsible for fhe murders of 100+ people in boats? How much money is being paid for pardons? How much money is Big Oil paying the Nazi Republicans to force Venezuela to surrender?
And here's a followup discussion on YouTube(bit.ly/4aA2ikl) that is an appropriate discussion about the past America and the current state that the country is in
I am sorry to say i have shyed away from sharing any views on the conflict, as it's been a pretty depressing few years, but this is one of the best pieces of advocacy i have read for not giving up hope, for not succumbing to frustration and powerlessness. I hope the reality this piece travels around the free world and one day the people of Ukraine and Russia will both be free from such a game.
Please keep talking about strategy. I get that Putin, with limited Russian assets, has won concessions from Europe and US since he took office. I don’t yet understand winning by setting the stage. I understand that Putin threatens to use nuclear weapons if denied his acquisition of territory. Is the fear he might do it called an advantage of using ambiguity to set the framework?
His threat to use nukes keeps working. It spooked Biden and no doubt Trump too.
I do enjoy the facts and recent historical contexts that Mr. Kasparov presents in his essays. I learn quite a bit from him and the information he provides is extremely valuable. I was struck in this piece by one of his comments. "Putin has always exploited impressionable American officials (take a look at the recently unveiled transcripts of George W. Bush’s deferential calls with Putin, or the extreme naivete displayed by Barack Obama in his “reset” with Russia)." Many may consider what I'm about to say as petty, however, it is not in the context with which I am speaking. I noticed that in his description of George W. Bush, the calls themselves are criticized. With Barack Obama, his character and intelligence is criticized. This is really not a small thing given the role that institutionalized anti-black racism plays in this country. What we tend to notice as racism are the blatant things like lynchings. But a group of people in this country has been targeted with discrimination since the founding of the country and it has never been fully repudiated, nor repented. That, to me, is a pathology that continues to keep this country from being what it could be. It's likely that Mr. Kasparov's distinction was unconscious, for us white people it is a lot of the time. But to remedy that we must become conscious of the insidious racism and bias that continues to exist if we are to rid ourselves of this pathology. I do not say this to distract from the meaning and intention of the entire article -- but so much of our subconscious biases are expressed in the midst of important topics. I do wish we would face it and remedy it once and for all.
P.S. - In the interest of recognizing unhealthy patterns and conditioning.
The nuclear threat is a constant feature of any and all negotiations with Putin. But he also has seen how threats and little actions in specific places makes people back up just like a snarling dog does.
Someone with skill must calm the dog down and prove that he’s harmless or just shoot him.
And he said there was no Russian collusion …..
I'd love to have a recording of Trump/Putin.call. That might be better tban the Epstein files
Garry, This article should feature prominently in all major (reputed) news outlets - starting with the the NYT. You've called out the 'board-setting', the deisred outcome for the perpertrator (floundering) and the next moves that can be expected. This is a foundational course for grasping what's going on in this theater-of-war.
Gesus:/
US is no broker