I was shocked to my core to have my ears hear and eyes see what took place on February 28, Friday, at a meeting in the White House with Ukraine President Zelenskyy, President Trump and Vice President JD Vance. There were a few others in attendance including Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, a harsh critic of Russia’s Vladimir Putin. This meeting was absolutely the lowest point imaginable in diplomacy. This was far from a deal-making negotiation on Ukraine’s mineral-rights to the US for America’s continued military support against Russian aggression. Possibly unbeknownst to Zelenskyy at the time but soon he would find out this was not a ‘ quid pro quo ‘ negotiation. Trump viewed American access to Ukraine’s mineral resources as a gift for its prior military assistance in the war. No wonder Trump wanted press coverage for this Oval Office meeting. Both he and Vance berated President Zelenskyy with Russian talking points . They scolded and humiliated him in front of the cameras for the American public and the world to see. Zelenskyy stressed that Putin could not be trusted. He had signed agreements with Putin in the past including prisoner exchanges only to be subsequently broken by him. Here comes the Russian talking points espoused by Trump. To paraphrase Trump: “ Kyiv needed to accept that it had a weak negotiating hand.” Trump continued “If you didn’t have our military equipment “Ukraine would have lost the war in weeks. He added “You have to be thankful.” (How pathetic, President Zelenskyy has on frequent occasions publicly expressed gratitude to the American people for its help ). At one point Trump told Zelenskyy he is “gambling with World War 111.” (Good Lord, Ukraine is the victim in this war, not the aggressor ). Trump went on to paint a dire picture of Ukraine’s military situation. Trump’s quote: “You are running low on soldiers. You’re not in a good position. You don’t have the cards.” Zelenskyy urged Trump and Vance to visit Ukraine. Vance dismissed these trips as mere propaganda tours.

Of course no deal was struck. How in God’s name would President Zelenskyy strike a deal when basically Trump implied that Ukraine should wave the white flag in surrender to the imperialist war criminal tyrant, Putin; that President Zelenskyy should give in to Putin’s demands ( territorial concessions, I imagine ) so peace could be achieved.

Unbelievably peace negotiations are presently being conducted between officials of the US and Russia excluding Ukraine, the victim of Russia’s invasion. I can only surmise the talks between the two parties involve territorial concessions by Ukraine that would be necessary to reach an agreement.

It was so disheartening to watch the humiliation heaped on President Zelenskyy, the undaunted leader of the Ukrainian people, by Trump and his sidekick, Vance; heaped on the fearless leader of the Ukrainian military who have fought and continue to fight valiantly in defense of its independent, democratically- free sovereignty against the imperialistic designs of Russia’s Putin. Ukraine is fighting this war as a proxy for all global democracies.

It is now perfectly clear Trump has not only abandoned his role as leader of the free world but has even chosen not to defend it. He has taken the side of Putin and by doing so has encouraged him in his imperialistic designs to colonize Ukraine and subsequently has emboldened him to continue territorial conquests to reach his goal of restoring Russia as the Soviet Empire it once was.

There is now a major shift in global geopolitics with the center of gravity for the free world in Europe. Our Western allies have shown they are united in their commitment to support and stand by Ukraine in its fight for survival as a free and sovereign nation. They are steadfast in their resolve to provide the security guarantees to Ukraine that Trump was unwilling to offer. Footnote: Putin must be salivating over what transpired at the Oval Office meeting. It was a disgraceful American betrayal to Ukraine and its people; appeasement to Putin; undoubtedly music to Moscow’s ears.