'Free world needs a new leader': Europe defends Zelenskyy after Trump attack

[demmiblue]

Source: Politico

France, Germany and Poland all make prompt declarations of support, as Europe fears Trump’s alignment with Putin.

BRUSSELS ― European leaders on Friday rallied to defend Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance subjected him to a tirade of withering and infantilizing abuse in the Oval Office.

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said: “Today, it became clear that the free world needs a new leader. It’s up to us, Europeans, to take this challenge.”

In what may prove to a significant turning point in the tottering post-war Western alliance between Europe and the United States, the Europeans pushed back against Washington’s increasing alignment with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and Trump’s browbeating of Zelenskyy.

“There is an aggressor, which is Russia and a people who have suffered aggression, which is Ukraine,” said French President Emmanuel Macron, hitting back at Trump’s suggestions of equivalence between the two sides. “You have to respect those who have been fighting since the beginning because they are fighting for their dignity, their independence, for their children, and for the security of Europe.”

Read more: https://www.politico.eu/article/volodymyr-zelenskyy-donald-trump-jd-vance-oval-office-white-house-us-ukraine-war-russia/

[Irish_Dem]

1. Who is now the leader of the free world? Not the US.

[Justice matters.]

16. Macron, Trudeau and co. nt

[Irish_Dem]

22. UK Prime Minister too.

[Justice matters.]

24. Yes, but still has to side with his British-Commonwealth ally named...

Canada more forcefully.

[Irish_Dem]

25. Yes they all stand together.

It is an alliance.

[Justice matters.]

26. They should all launch a huge boycott movement of all US products.

Next. Otherwise, only words will not work.

[Irish_Dem]

27. Canada and Denmark are already doing that.

[Justice matters.]

28. It must spread all throughout EU countries. nt

[Irish_Dem]

29. Trump putting tariffs on European goods will help the boycott efforts.

[ck4829]

49. Indeed

[AnnaLee]

2. I don't know what is wrong with me.

I can't stop crying over what I saw today. I love the country we used to be and my heart is broken. But, today, I went from embarrassed to breathlessly, frantically, devastated.

[synni]

3. It's always darkest before the dawn

These people are sowing the seeds of their own implosion.

[ananda]

18. Agree.

This is all going to backfire on Trump and co. in a BIG way!

[Mr. Evil]

19. I sure as hell hope you're right.

That flaming, spoiled rotten rich kid, asshole was raised by a flaming racist asshole, to be a flaming rotten racist asshole! He's nothing but a self-serving, selfish money junkie. Just like Elon is a money, and real, junkie. They are completely out of their depth! They have no idea what they're doing except for the appeasement of Daddy Vladdy Putin.

I never thought I'd ever live long enough to see an American president (and his worthless minions) acquiesce and roll over for a fucking Russian crime lord. This has to stop NOW! Enough!

[berksdem]

51. Welcome!

I sure hope you are right. I am seriously depressed these days and need all the hope I can muster.

[Humane human]

14. There is nothing wrong with you

I feel the same. Orange muskolini was very transparent in showing the real life ass that he is. The whole U. S. should be embarrassed. I applaud Zelensky (a hero in my book) for not swearing and giving him the finger. I would not have been able to contain my anger. That is what makes him a real leader and the other a complete lunatic.

[Marthe48]

17. Welcome to DU

[True Blue American]

42. Why is everyone surprised? Nancy Pelosi

Had to stand up against Trump. He hated her. For standing up against him.

Trump is such a weak, likttle man with not much of a brain, he always has to have someone fight his battles. Vance, who is also a know nothing about Governing.
Again they came up against a man who has proven he is a leader. Musks Trump, Vance, the whole Leadership are bowing to that tiny, little man in Moscow.
But the way things are going the people seem to be the fighters, not Congress, and for sure not the blanking, corrupt Supreme Court!

[republianmushroom]

4. Europa is correct, the convicted felon couldn't find an outhouse in the middle of August.

We need a leader.

[bluestarone]

5. Perfect chosen words!!

Edit to add, Would love to see Some rethugs and ALL Democrats Echo these same words!!

[Bluetus]

35. Dems need to amplify: "He's been in office 36 days and

the rest of the world has already declared that the US President is no longer the leader of the free world. Let that sink in."

Even if Trump were not an active asset of Putin's, which he clearly is, this is still a monumental failure and America is that much worse for it.

And next week, he is starting a trade war with China. Does that mean in another 30 days, the US will no longer be seen as the leading economy in the world?

So much winning.

Remember, we are the opposition. We don't have to win any arguments in the sense of a college debate team. We have to expose who Trump really is by hitting his weaknesses. Zelenskyy (and Trudeau and Macron before that) contradicted him publicly. You could practically see the smoke coming out of his ears. And what did that weasel Vance think he was doing? He just made Trump look worse.

His other big hot button is that he wants to be the center of attention constantly. Z and the Europeans are going to take this out of Trump's hands and that will put Trump into convulsions.

Remember, in the first term, all the world leaders knew the book on Trump was that if you flattered him, you could get what you wanted. I suppose that is still true, but they all understand that this time they can't just flatter the guy and hope for the best. He is melting down mentally, and they are now comparing notes about how to give him breakdowns.

There is a scenario developing where we are already seeing world leaders punch the bully in the nose. A few Dems have started, but they all need to be strong and active. If world leaders and Dems stand up to Trump, then some of the media may get the courage to do so. And then, maybe even the Supreme Court if they see everybody turning against Trump. That's a lot of pieces to fall into place, but that is the direction things are going.

[liberalla]

6. The United States, under drumpf, is no longer the leader of the "free world"

Hopefully, someday we may be worthy and able to join with the new leaders of the "free" world.
Time will tell.

[Justice matters.]

21. Unfortunately, the United States has proven to be unstable since the stupid...

illegal invasion of Iraq, then the advent of the stupid tea party, then morphed into birthers... then the magats...

And the Dems still can't counter these a-holes effectively enough, not to mention the very very slow and weak justice system... delayed, delayed and delayed til justice is denied (for the uber rich).

Trust and stability have to be earned... Intel documents sharing must be trusted.

[liberalla]

31. Yes. That's why I said hopefully,

"someday we may be worthy and able to join with the new leaders..."

It's not a sure thing, and we have ground to make up.
Assuming we get the chance...

[Justice matters.]

33. Too late (nobody seems to be brave enough to do the right thing...)

Even after seeing THAT (Traitor celebrates the victory of the mass-murderer in Moscow with him):




They look like they knew back then what the actual result is (today).

Mission accomplished...

[MayReasonRule]

45. They Toast The 'Wine Of Wartime'...

The finest as they serve...

The holiest communion, for sacrilegious words.

[Bengus81]

7. Another feather in your cap Trump...your HATED all over the World. Wheeeeeee

Maybe TIME can do another cover...........

[Clouds Passing]

8. PLEASE! TAKE THE CHALLENGE EU!

[elliesmandt]

9. Never Before

Never before in all my 70 plus years of breathing the air on this planet have I ever been ashamed to declare that I'm an American, but now I am. I'm ashamed because a majority of my fellow Americans voted to elect a convicted felon, twice impeached, six-time bankrupt failed businessman as their President, but I'm also ashamed that duly elected members of Congress have deserted their constituents, ignored the rule of law, and forsaken their sworn oath to uphold the Constitution to kowtow at the feet of billionaires and to ignore the needs of the majority the citizens.

[Linda ladeewolf]

37. I felt that way for sometime.

[Aussie105]

10. Who would have thought it?

Trump, all by himself (maybe with the help of his enablers and dumb voters) has made the USA drop off the top of the leaders of the Free World list.

Adjustments will be made; need to be made.

But if Trump is selling and acting out his 'Russia good, Ukraine bad' poison, what will his stance be on Israel-Middle East, China and Taiwan?
More flip-flops?

Europe will take notice! And act!

How will Trump deal with multiple messages of 'not playing your game'?

[Skittles]

41. Trump will align himself with dictators

he desperately wants to be part of that club

[Karasu]

11. Well, yeah. Duh. The US isn't part of the "free world" anymore, if it ever really was.

[liberalgunwilltravel]

12. Maybe

It’s time to invite Trump to a European summit from which he doesn’t return.

[Emrys]

13. I'd lock him in a room with Kaja Kallas

They'd need a bucket to ship him home.

[ultralite001]

15. Slava Ukraini!!!

Comrade Krasnov has had it in for President Zelenskyy since Zelenskyy refused to play ball + pursue
an investigation that he hoped would tarnish Krasnov's political rival, Joe Biden, back in 2019.

https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/25/politics/donald-trump-ukraine-transcript-call/index.html

https://www.citizensforethics.org/reports-investigations/crew-investigations/trumps-ukraine-call-context-damning/

Zelenskyy, the beloved Ukranian comedian-turned-President after his election in 2019, has been a symbol of Ukrainian
defiance against Russian aggression. Slava Ukraini, or "Glory to Ukraine", has been his battle cry since Moscow launched
its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-59667938

https://www.npr.org/2023/02/20/1158150926/volodymyr-zelenskyy-president-ukraine-russia-war

Comrade Krasnov sold his allegiances in his youth. Russia has been his master ever since.

Perhaps Comrade Krasnov would learn something by watching episodes of Zelenskyy's break out show, "Servant of the People."
Even on the shirttails of "The Apprentice," F47 will NEVER rise to the heights of Zelenskyy...

https://vidsrc.net/embed/tt6921542

[Mr.Bee]

20. Trump, what you did was horrible and unAmerican

may your poll numbers reflect it, you orange poser.

[Nelg]

23. 1/3 of retirement $

I was hoping Zelinsky grabbed him by the tie smacked him 3or4 times in the face then threw him into the fireplace behind him then grabbed Vance thru him onto the couch face first and jump up and down on him
I would have given 1/3 of my retirement to Ukrain And he is a soldier

[Buddyzbuddy]

30. 50% of America is the enemy of the free world.

The Felon will be responsible for the USA being involved in WWIII that he just admitted his awareness to the possibility. He is the problem. A problem of our making that puts us on the wrong side. Yes, he is an embarrassment along with that bearded court jester. If not for the seriousness of the situation we might be able to laugh at the comedic idiots that make up this administration. This Country needs to be dealt with, if not by the cowards in our government that have the power to do so, then from all countries that still have the freedom to do so.
Pain will be felt by all. Trade with America should be minimized, diplomats withdrawn, banks and investments liquidated. America needs to be treated like the enemy it has become. The narrative needs to be taken out of the Felons control. Side with Putin, then be treated like Putin.
We can no longer be considered a safe haven. We're only a few weeks in, and irreparable harm has begun. The probable result will be crashing markets and depression. That shock will throw the administration off its strategy worldwide and provoke the capitalists to take action domestically. It will weaken this administration and give the cowards (congress) an opportunity to grow a spine and take back a modicum of control.
What's to lose, we're already heading to that war but under the control of the Felon and his buddy, Putin. China and N. Korea won't be far behind along with Israel and maybe the Saudis and a few others. Just look at the result of the UN vote.
As for the stock market, Covid has already proven it's resiliency. It's driven by greed and will most certainly recover. But, again, not without pain.
Good luck getting a volunteer army in the US. Luckily, the Felon has taught everybody how to dodge the draft.
What are your thoughts?

[mainer]

32. Can private US citizens make up the difference in $$?

Our government may cut them off, but can we open our checkbooks and buy them the bullets they need? How can we do this?

[creon]

34. USA is no leader.

Europe and responsible nations have to replace the USA as leader.
USA is no leader.

[Orrex]

38. Of course, that's a big reason why Putin helped get his stooge into office

[creon]

43. Hard to replace.

The USA will be hard to replace.
It will have to be a "group leadership"

[Orrex]

36. Fox News was on at a customer's house during this embarrassing shit show

Musk's pet and his vice-pet sounded like petulant toddlers screaming that they don't want their diapers changed.

[red dog 1]

39. #StandWithUkraine is now trending on both Bluesky and X

[Aussie105]

40. MAGA . . .

Make America Govern Again!

Get rid of this demolition team. Not in your worst delusional nightmare could you see the Trump administration as normal.
Not even the most hard core Republican voters.

Bring in sane and responsible people.

[MayReasonRule]

44. Imagine If...

... when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel came to the White House this month, Trump and Vance told him that the war with Hamas had gone on too long, too many lives had been lost and it was costing America too much money, so it was time for Bibi and the Israeli people to do a deal with the Hamas aggressor.

Because Russia did to Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, what Hamas did to Israel on Oct. 7, 2023 — a surprise invasion, murder and the ensuing sexual violence to wreak destruction on another nation and its society.

Trump took Bibi’s side 110 percent against Hamas, and now he is taking Putin’s side 110 percent against Zelensky and Ukraine.

[Mysterian]

46. As far as I'm concerned, it's President Zelensky

He's on the front lines of freedom.

[Martin68]

47. Yup, Europe needs to take the lead.

[ck4829]

50. True

[ck4829]

48. Kick

[JohnSJ]

52. Absolutely. The US is no longer a leader of the free world, but actually an enemy under trump.