Moscow likely wasn't expecting all of this. On Friday, February 28, Donald Trump delivered what could be considered the verbal beating Vladimir Putin would have liked to give Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The heated exchange within the White House saw Trump label Zelensky as the "clown" often mocked by Russian media, and he issued grave warnings to Kyiv about the support it could expect from Washington.
The critics and commentators from pro-Putin media outlets gleefully relayed Trump's sentiments, where he made clear he would stop sending arms to Ukraine, deeming it as having "big problems" and incapable of withstanding the Russian army. The acute warning came as both Moscow and Kyiv brace themselves for what could escalate as "the third world war." Trump's comments, which echoed critiques typically made by the Kremlin, raised eyebrows among observers of U.S.-Ukraine relations.
"For the first time, Trump spoke the truth to the cocaine clown's face. The insolent pig has finally received a solid slap in the face," remarked Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of Russia's Security Council. His words reverberated through social media, reflecting the satisfaction of Russian officials as they digested the shocking exchange.
Following the stormy meeting, trepidation among Moscow's ranks seemed to disappear. Just days prior, both Trump and Vice President JD Vance suggested they could support peacekeeping efforts and military aid to Ukraine after European leaders pushed for greater U.S. help. Yet, everything changed when Zelensky found himself under verbal assault from the two U.S. leaders.
Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for Russia’s Foreign Ministry, did not hold back her own words following the meeting. "How Trump and Vance held back from hitting the scumbag is a miracle of restraint," Zakharova posted on Telegram, reflecting the triumph felt by many pro-Putin officials.
Interestingly, President Putin remained silent, likely observing the developments with gratification. An insider familiar with the Kremlin’s viewpoint stated, "Putin doesn’t have to say much right now. It’s clear he enjoyed the show. Now he believes he can push for even greater demands concerning Ukraine." This perspective aligns with historical efforts by Putin to establish leadership within Kyiv more amenable to Moscow.
The meeting's fallout was significant, with the exchange signifying what some Kremlin insiders perceived as a strategic pivot. Fyodor Lukyanov, leading Russian foreign-policy analyst, expressed concern over how Zelensky underestimated the scale of shifts occurring within U.S. politics since Trump's arrival. "This is a fundamental shift," he stated, noting Trump’s position as more of a mediator than an adversary for the first time since the conflict began.
Further analysis from Anton Grishanov at Russia's Ministry-affiliated think tank cautioned against calling this event a total victory. “This tragicomic exchange will undoubtedly weaken Zelensky’s position within Ukraine and give Russian diplomacy additional leverage with the U.S.,” he predicted. Despite this, Grishanov cautioned, the unpredictable nature of Trump’s temperament could lead to unexpected developments, reminding observers of the uncertainty surrounding U.S. foreign policy actions.
With the dust settling from the contentious meeting, it becomes clear the ramifications extend not just politically but also militarily. While the war continues, the successful negotiation for peace has just been dealt another blow. The allies of Ukraine, including the U.S., might be reconsidering their commitment as the Kremlin edges closer to exploiting perceived weaknesses. Given the uncertainties posed by Trump’s responses and upcoming decisions, continuing support for Ukraine hangs by a thread.
The meeting between Trump and Zelensky marks yet another turning point, intertwining U.S. foreign policy with Russian assertiveness—one where Zelensky's leadership faces intense scrutiny and diminished support even from its allies. Should this path persist, it may alter the calculus of power dynamics between the two nations, especially as both countries gear up for what lies ahead on the horizon of U.S.-Russia relations. "The war continues," concluded Lukyanov, hinting at the turbulent times yet to come.