The Guardian view of Zelenskyy in Washington: Trump turns his fire on the besieged president | Editorial

EUrope hoped that concerted efforts could have a certain impact on bringing Donald Trump into a more sensible position in Ukraine and alleviating the worst instincts in his government. According to the combined conviction and flattering of Sir Keir Parmamer and Emmanuel Macron, it released a somewhat tame and happier version of the US president, there were modest hopes that the Ukrainian President in Washington in Washington may have been more productive – even if it had no signs that they tried for security in the cladding of Mr. was desperately necessary.

Instead, his Oval Office meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy soon exploded, with the US President insulting his guest for ungrateful. Mr. Trump had previously talked about a partnership with the Ukrainian president. But he and his Vice President JD Vance teamed up to deliver a public kick. It would be added to the president, “great television”.

“They play with the third world war,” Trump accused him of. He attacked Mr. Zelenskyy's “Hass” against Wladimir Putin, which indicates that it was the obstacle to peace – no mention of the invasion of Russia. So much for Mr. Trump's remark that “I am in the middle, I am both for Ukraine and Russia” – a shameful statement. It is difficult to see how the visit – Mr. Trump said that Mr. Zelenskyy can come back if he is ready ” – could have been worse.” President Zelensky is not ready for peace if he is involent is that our commitment gives him a great advantage in the negotiations, “wrote Trump.

The European charm initiative has always been a long shot. Like Mr. Macron, Sir Keir enjoyed a happy reception from Mr. Trump. He had learned to speak his language. After he was armed for a second state visit, he enthused that Donald Trump's return to Great Britain would be “so incredible. It will be historical. “He also managed to say the truth: he emphasized that peace must not reward the attacker and the president's lie that European help for Ukraine was only borrowed. When asked about Mr. Trump's vision for Gaza, he explained that Palestinians had to return home and confirmed the commitment of the UK for the two-state solution.

In the surrounding mode, Mr. Trump suggested that he would probably back the United Kingdom's plan to hand over the Chagos Islands of Mauritius. He dangled the view of a bilateral trade agreement, but their substance remains unclear – and probably distorted in favor of America.

It would have been Folly for Sir Keir to burn bridges. But it was always clear that Mr. Trump would be ready to put the torch himself if he thought it was right. And so on Friday he put a democratically elected leader who fought to defend his country against invasion – “they don't have the cards,” he said to Mr. Zelenskyy – and said he believes that Mr. Putin can trust to keep promise. Nobody else does nobody, which is why a security baked stop in the United States is required.

The mineral contract that Kyiv should sign with Washington is more of a shakedown than a partnership. Mr. Trump's suggestion that American workers who dismantle these resources could be the gap against other Russian aggression was both a memory of his priorities and further confirmation that he would not offer anything more important. Then his shiny attack on MR Zelenskyy came.

The defense summit on Sunday The European leader in London is now more important than ever. “Today it became clear that the free world needs a new leader,” wrote the EU's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, after the catastrophic meeting. The extent of the betrayal of her former ally is now undeniable. Kyiv is the first, but not the only victim. The extent to which European countries can formulate a plan for the corresponding action and in accordance will be of crucial importance for the future of Ukraine and for the continent.