Many Republican lawmakers lauded President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance for their firm handling of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during their contentious Oval Office meeting. They viewed the encounter as a turning point in America’s foreign policy, reinforcing the “America First” agenda and rejecting what they see as excessive U.S. financial and military support for Ukraine.
Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS) underscored this sentiment, posting on X, “Not another penny,” in reference to U.S. aid to Ukraine. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) went even further, lambasting Zelensky as “a bad actor from the start.” She declared, “What we saw today is the culmination of an arrogant small man’s ego FINALLY meeting world leaders who won’t put up with it.”
Other Republican lawmakers, such as Representative Lauren Boebert (R-CO) and Representative Andy Biggs (R-AZ), framed the meeting as a sign of a new era in U.S. foreign relations. Boebert pointedly remarked, “Zelenskyy just learned that Donald Trump and JD Vance are not Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.” Meanwhile, Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) called the meeting “one of the most disastrous Oval Office meetings in our nation’s history” and praised Trump for standing firm against what he characterized as Ukrainian overreach.
GOP Critics Express Concern Over Trump’s Approach
Despite broad support within the party, some Republicans voiced reservations about the spectacle. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), a longtime advocate of Ukraine aid, condemned the way Trump and Vance handled Zelensky, calling the meeting an “utter disaster.” He stated, “I don’t know if we can ever do business with Zelensky again … The way he handled the meeting, the way he confronted the president was just over the top.” Graham went as far as suggesting that Zelensky either step down or send another representative for negotiations.
Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), two moderate Republicans often at odds with Trump’s foreign policy, expressed deep unease. Murkowski posted on X, “I am sick to my stomach as the administration appears to be walking away from our allies and embracing Putin.” Representative Don Bacon (R-NE) echoed this concern, warning that Trump’s approach risked aligning the U.S. “on the wrong side of this war, against freedom.”
Representative Mike Lawler (R-NY) described the meeting as “a missed opportunity for both Ukraine and the United States.” Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN) added, “The United States of America will no longer be taken for granted,” signaling approval of a policy shift while acknowledging the potential diplomatic fallout.
Zelensky Escorted Out After Failed Meeting
The high-stakes meeting between Trump and Zelensky quickly unraveled, leading to an abrupt conclusion. According to sources within the White House, Trump reportedly asked Zelensky to leave the premises after the talks turned heated. A planned joint press conference was canceled, and no agreement was reached on the anticipated U.S.-Ukraine mineral deal.
Zelensky had traveled to Washington in part to finalize a strategic agreement involving Ukraine’s mineral wealth, which could have provided economic benefits to both nations. However, the conversation deteriorated when Vice President JD Vance interjected, advocating for a diplomatic resolution to the war. Zelensky, visibly frustrated, pointed out Ukraine’s previous failed attempts at negotiating a ceasefire, at which point tensions escalated, with Trump and Zelensky talking over each other.
Former U.S. Ambassador to Poland Daniel Fried speculated that the confrontation may have been deliberate. “The American side seemed to be intent on provoking a fight,” he told Politico. A White House official, however, denied claims that Trump and Vance had pre-planned the altercation. “Going in, everyone was expecting the exact opposite of what happened in the Oval,” the aide remarked.
Zelensky Receives Warm Welcome in the UK
Following his dramatic exit from Washington, Zelensky continued his diplomatic efforts in London, where he met with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and King Charles III. The contrast between the receptions he received in Washington and London was stark. In Downing Street, Starmer reaffirmed the UK’s unwavering commitment to Ukraine, stating, “Britain stands resolutely with Ukraine in its fight for sovereignty and freedom.”
Zelensky used his time in London to reiterate his plea for greater Western support, emphasizing that Ukraine remained ready to sign the mineral deal but required firm security guarantees from the U.S. His remarks were widely seen as an effort to rally European allies in the face of shifting U.S. foreign policy under the Trump administration.
Democrats Slam Trump’s Treatment of Zelensky
Democratic leaders wasted no time in condemning Trump and Vance’s handling of the meeting, framing it as a betrayal of American values and an outright gift to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) declared, “Trump and Vance are doing Putin’s dirty work.” Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) similarly criticized Trump’s actions, arguing, “We owe [Zelensky] our thanks for leading a nation fighting on the front lines of democracy—not the public berating he received at the White House.”
The fallout from the Oval Office confrontation underscores the sharp divisions within the Republican Party over the future of U.S. support for Ukraine. While hardline MAGA Republicans hailed the meeting as a victory for Trump’s “America First” agenda, more traditional GOP members warned that turning away from Ukraine could have dangerous geopolitical consequences. As the 2024 election looms, Trump’s handling of U.S.-Ukraine relations is likely to remain a major flashpoint in both domestic and international politics.
