Trump reading Zelenskyy letter met with support from GOP, independent voters

Keir Starmerprime Minister

This is a once-in-a-generation moment for the security of Europe,

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, calling for a “coalition of the willing.”

Yulia Svyrydenkoukrainian Economy Minister

Then, on February 18, 2020, Russians launched one of the largest assaults of the war. This is the Kremlin’s pattern: deception, false promises, and escalation,

Svyrydenko said

Security is so easy, that’s about 2% of the problem,

he said during Friday’s Oval Office showdown

Wolfgang Ischingerveteran political observer

Europe knows one thing: the deal, if it happens, is not simply about carving up Ukraine or securing a quick ceasefire … it is about a lasting and secure peace agreement, about existential security issues for all of Europe,

Wolfgang Ischinger, a former German ambassador to Washington, wrote in Foreign Affairs

Russia, as a concerned state and permanent member of the UN Security Council, would have to agree to a deployment,

Major and Kleemann wrote in a paper, yet to be published and shared with CNN

At best, a highly unstable situation would obtain, where a renewal of hostilities would be easily possible or even likely,

Marc Weller, a professor of international law at the Cambridge Initiative for Peace Settlements, said

Ukraine should adopt a neutral, nonaligned status, be nuclear-free, and undergo demilitarization and denazification,

Putin told an audience last summer

I don’t think anybody’s going to play around if we’re there with a lot of workers,

he said

I appreciate that he sent this letter, just got it a little while ago,

Trump continued

Earlier today, I received an important letter from President Zelenskyy of Ukraine,

Trump said during his speech Tuesday

Thom Tillissenator

Whoever believes that there is any space for Vladimir Putin and the future of a stable globe better go to Ukraine,

Tillis said

If you believe that Ukraine is a country an ocean away and not relevant to our national security, think again."

Tillis also said

Diplomacy and statesmanship seem to have been checked at the door of the Oval Office today,

Curtis wrote on X on Friday, expressing hope

Lisa Murkowskisenator

This week started with administration officials refusing to acknowledge that Russia started the war in Ukraine. It ends with a tense, shocking conversation in the Oval Office and whispers from the White House that they may try to end all U.S. support for Ukraine,

Murkowski wrote in a Saturday post

All I'm focused on is exactly what we need to do, to do right by Ukraine and actually address the risk for the American people, [and] our allies in Europe,

he said

Mike Roundssenator

The facts are Russia invaded Ukraine. Russia is the aggressor. Russia created this problem in the first place,

Rounds told NewsNation's Chris Stirewalt

Susan Collinssenator

The deterioration of the discussion among President Trump, Vice President Vance, and President Zelenskyy was very unfortunate given how high the stakes are,

Collins said in a statement

You have no right to dictate what we should feel. You are gambling with World War III."

Trump accused the Ukrainian leader of being "disrespectful" and added

I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for Peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations. I don't want advantage, I want PEACE. He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for Peace."

Following last week's confrontation, Trump further criticized Zelensky on Truth Social

We should be clear that we stand for freedom,

Bacon added