'Well-deserved setback for Zelenskyy': Russia mocks Ukranian president after heated White House clash with Trump
PTC Web Desk: Russia has responded with satisfaction to the intense verbal clash between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the White House, calling it a well-deserved setback for Zelenskyy.
The heated exchange, which saw Trump and Vice President JD Vance accuse Zelenskyy of disrespecting the US, was seen as a political victory for Moscow. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev described the encounter as a "solid slap" for Zelenskyy. "A brutal dressing down in the Oval Office," Medvedev, now deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, posted on Telegram.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova mocked the incident, stating it was surprising that Trump and Vance did not resort to physical action against Zelenskyy. She accused the Ukrainian leader of "biting the hand that fed him."
Meanwhile, Russian nationalist commentator Vladimir Solovyov announced a special programme titled "Zelenskyy's Suicide in the White House." Medvedev further attacked Zelenskyy, claiming he was finally confronted with the reality that his leadership was pushing the world toward a major conflict. He also called for an immediate halt to military aid for Ukraine, a long-standing Russian objective.
The Kremlin has consistently portrayed Zelenskyy as a US puppet, alleging that Washington has used him to weaken Russia. Zelenskyy, however, has dismissed these claims, asserting that he is fighting to protect Ukraine with the help of international allies.
The growing diplomatic ties between Moscow and Washington under Trump have alarmed Ukraine and European nations, who fear that a US-Russia deal could sideline them and weaken regional security.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly dismissed Zelenskyy's legitimacy, arguing that his five-year term expired last year. Ukraine has been unable to hold elections due to ongoing martial law since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. Trump recently echoed Putin’s rhetoric, calling Zelenskyy a “dictator without elections.”
The intense White House confrontation has further weakened Zelenskyy’s position, as Ukraine continues to rely on Western military aid. Former Kremlin adviser Sergei Markov suggested that the incident could accelerate the end of Zelenskyy’s political career. Russian officials believe that a different Ukrainian leader may be more willing to negotiate a peace deal.
"The world saw that Zelenskyy is completely out of line and should step down as soon as possible," Markov said.
Konstantin Kosachyov, deputy chairman of Russia’s upper house of parliament, claimed the dispute revealed Zelenskyy’s "true colors" and left him politically vulnerable. “Zelenskyy lost this round with a deafening rattle. And he will have to crawl to the next one on his knees,” Kosachyov wrote on Telegram.
- With inputs from agencies
