Gabbard: 'Big divergence' between Trump's, Zelensky's interests
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard argued there is a “big divergence” between President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after the meeting between the two ended in a shouting match.
Gabbard joined “Fox News Sunday,” where she weighed in on international relations after Zelensky and Trump’s meeting had a fiery ending.
“President Trump recognizes the urgent need to end this war after three long, bloody years and has proven that he is the only person that can do this,” Gabbard said. “President Zelensky has different aims in mind.”
Gabbard argued that Zelensky will only accept a deal that leads to “what he views as Ukraine’s victory,” no matter if it leads to a third world war.
“President Trump is committed to peace and to freedom,” she said. “We’re seeing this big divergence here between his position and his commitment to these values and the interests of the American people and the interests of President Zelensky and these European leaders.”
Tensions between Trump and Zelensky had been ramping up before the meeting on Friday. Trump claimed the war with Russia never would have happened had he been in office and slammed Zelensky for his leadership, calling him a dictator.
There are concerns about Trump’s closeness to Russian President Vladimir Putin and how he has sidelined Ukraine in the ceasefire negotiations. The meeting on Friday, to secure a rare mineral deal, was intended to smooth things over and reach a new point in the end of the war.
While critics say Ukraine has been put to the side, Gabbard argued that Trump wants to work with both parties.
“I can tell you, there were a lot of conversations that were happening through different emissaries both for Zelensky and for President Trump, leading up to his visit there to the Oval Office and President Zelensky’s immediate escalation there was … frankly quite a surprise,” Gabbard said. “This has created a huge rift in the relationship.”
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