Opinion: Trump’s treatment of Zelensky shows an ugly truth at the White House

The past few days have been dominated by discussions surrounding President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance’s tense meeting with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky. What was meant to be a diplomatic discussion quickly took a turn, exposing an uncomfortable reality that played out in front of the world’s media.

When Zelensky arrived at the White House last Friday, his primary goal was to solidify a minerals deal that would not only provide Ukraine with economic stability but also give the United States a stake in Ukraine’s future. However, what began as a seemingly routine political exchange soon

spiraled into a contentious confrontation, with Zelensky finding himself on the receiving end of public rebukes from both Trump and Vance. Instead of engaging in a constructive dialogue, the Ukrainian leader was criticized for his perceived lack of gratitude, a situation that seemed designed to pressure him into submission.