Quotes
We have to bring about an end to this war in Ukraine. Putin is the aggressor,
Johnson said
President Zelenskyy, instead of showing gratitude — he interrupted and berated his hosts at a very perilous time for his country. He should have been anxious, I think, to enter into this agreement,
he added, referring to the mineral rights agreementPresident Trump is the only figure on the entire globe who is powerful enough to bring both of these parties to the table. But President Zelenskyy went in and blew it up. And it is such a great disappointment for everyone.”
Talking about negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, Johnson saidThe way I view this is that China, Russia, Iran and North Korea are engaged in a new axis powers, and they are not on America’s side,
he addedWe need to get him back to the table, we need to get Ukraine to express gratitude, of course, for all that we’ve done for them,
the House leader addedHe berated and interrupted his host instead of expressing gratitude for the extraordinary help that the US has provided his country, and effectively helped him stay alive and stay in power,
Johnson addedI think Senator Murkowski’s view on this is plainly wrong,
Johnson saidPresident Trump said very clearly, ‘Trust but verify,’
Johnson said, referring to talks between the US and Russia to end the warHe was not foaming at the mouth. And I’ve had some folks in the administration pointing that out to me. Trump’s feeling seems to be that Zelenskyy is not in a favorable psychological state because of the stress of the last three years,
the Republican foreign policy expert told POLITICO
It really was a battering of one man by the leader of a much bigger country — one that was supposedly a friend. It was bullying,
said opposition lawmaker Lesia VasylenkoThe meeting between Zelenskyy and Trump should not have failed. We are committed to cooperation with America and hope that emotions will subside, allowing the dialogue to return to a constructive course. Ukrainians, more than anyone else, want peace. We are ready for negotiations, but they must come from a position of strength, not capitulation,
he told POLITICODiplomats assumed that his American host would be less prickly when President Zelensky made the same journey to Washington,
Eyal saidThe trip to Washington, Mr. Zelensky’s first since President Trump was sworn into office, was always going to be a difficult mission,
wrote Chatham House’s Jonathan EyalPresident Zelenskyy failed in this. He spoke about justice and Europe, publicly, ignoring how Trump’s electorate perceives the situation. I hope the American president has the wisdom and ability to respond to events with clarity and pragmatism,
he addedZelenskyy failed before Friday to recognize the significance of the minerals deal … It’s important not because of the minerals — it’s all about giving Trump a political win,
he saidThey’ll say whatever serves their agenda. What we need to focus on here in America is what benefits the American people,
the DEI saidI'd like to see Putin defeated, frankly. He is an adversary of the United States. But in this conflict, we've got to bring an end to this war,
Reuters quoted Johnson
You’re not going to bring them to the table if you’re calling them names, if you’re being antagonistic."
Speaking on ABC's This Week, Rubio saidThe entire pretext for that meeting... was an attempt to rewrite history in order to sign a deal with Putin that hands Putin Ukraine. That is disastrous for US national security,
he said
You're gambling with the lives of millions of people. You're gambling with World War III, and what you're doing is very disrespectful to the country, this country that's backed you far more than a lot of people say they should have."
Zelensky attempted to interject, but Trump eventually raised his voice, warning