Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shares a lighthearted moment with Donald Trump before joining European leaders in a tense White House meeting on Ukraine. Image credit: WUNC
(The Post News)– Over the last seven months, Western leaders have taken a crash course in Trumpology. One after another, European presidents and prime ministers visited Washington to study how to handle the unpredictable man behind the golden desk in the Oval Office.
On Monday, they all gathered at the White House to test their lessons. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy seemed to have learned the most since his last visit, when critics mocked his casual style. This time, he wore a sleek black outfit, cracked jokes, and even brought a letter for the first lady.
Trump lit up when he saw Zelensky. “I love it. Look at you,” he said. Even Brian Glenn, the right-wing reporter who once slammed Zelensky’s clothes, praised him. Zelensky shot back playfully: “I changed; you have not.” Laughter filled the room. Later, Zelensky handed Trump a letter from his wife to Melania. Trump smiled wide. “I want it!” he joked, clutching the note with glee.
In the afternoon, the leaders of Britain, Germany, France, Italy, and Finland joined them in the State Dining Room. NATO’s secretary general and the head of the European Commission were also at the table. Their goal: thank Trump for his efforts while pressing him for a security guarantee for Ukraine and a cease-fire.
The tone soured briefly when German Chancellor Friedrich Merz pushed hard for an immediate cease-fire. Trump, still frustrated from his failed attempt in Alaska, bristled. His smile vanished, but the meeting soon recovered.
All the while, Vladimir Putin hovered like a ghost. Trump kept raising his name. “Putin wants it to end,” he said, promising to call him with updates. European leaders stayed quiet, stone-faced.
By day’s end, the Europeans had balanced diplomacy with psychology, carefully managing both the war and Trump’s moods. Whether they matched Putin’s influence is unclear. Still, Trump declared online, “I had a very good meeting with distinguished guests.”
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