Cabot Phillips

Yes, it did. Trump lit into Zelensky hours later with a long post on Truth Social that reads in part, quote, Zelensky talked the United States of America into spending $350 billion to go into a war that couldn't be won, that never had to start. but a war that he, without the U.S. and Trump, will never be able to settle. Zelensky admits that half of the money we sent him is missing.

Yes, it did. Trump lit into Zelensky hours later with a long post on Truth Social that reads in part, quote, Zelensky talked the United States of America into spending $350 billion to go into a war that couldn't be won, that never had to start. but a war that he, without the U.S. and Trump, will never be able to settle. Zelensky admits that half of the money we sent him is missing.

He went on to call Zelensky a, quote, dictator without elections.

He went on to call Zelensky a, quote, dictator without elections.

Right. Zelensky's presidential term technically expired last year. But because the country is under martial law, they have not held an election to replace him, allowing him to stay in power indefinitely. Now, Zelensky and his supporters say an election is not feasible given the conflict and that Ukrainians overwhelmingly support him. So an election is not necessary in the first place.

Right. Zelensky's presidential term technically expired last year. But because the country is under martial law, they have not held an election to replace him, allowing him to stay in power indefinitely. Now, Zelensky and his supporters say an election is not feasible given the conflict and that Ukrainians overwhelmingly support him. So an election is not necessary in the first place.

Here he is Wednesday speaking through a translator.

Here he is Wednesday speaking through a translator.

VP Vance offered his own advice for Zelensky, telling the Daily Mail, quote, the idea that Zelensky is going to change the president's mind by badmouthing him in public media. Everyone who knows the president will tell you that is an atrocious way to deal with this administration. For their part, Democrats on the Hill slammed Trump's comments, echoing Zelensky's claims of Russian disinformation.

VP Vance offered his own advice for Zelensky, telling the Daily Mail, quote, the idea that Zelensky is going to change the president's mind by badmouthing him in public media. Everyone who knows the president will tell you that is an atrocious way to deal with this administration. For their part, Democrats on the Hill slammed Trump's comments, echoing Zelensky's claims of Russian disinformation.

Here's former Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on the Senate floor.

Here's former Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on the Senate floor.

And there were some Republican lawmakers who did push back on Trump's claims as well. South Dakota's Mike Rounds defended Zelensky, calling him, quote, a key component in the fact that they've been able to withstand the Russian attacks. More broadly, though, the GOP certainly is backing Trump's rhetoric on this issue.

And there were some Republican lawmakers who did push back on Trump's claims as well. South Dakota's Mike Rounds defended Zelensky, calling him, quote, a key component in the fact that they've been able to withstand the Russian attacks. More broadly, though, the GOP certainly is backing Trump's rhetoric on this issue.

Right. So last year, Zelensky laid out a so-called victory plan aimed at convincing Western allies to continue supporting the war effort. As part of that plan, he floated allowing the U.S. to develop Ukrainian natural resources after the war, including vast reserves of rare earth minerals.

Right. So last year, Zelensky laid out a so-called victory plan aimed at convincing Western allies to continue supporting the war effort. As part of that plan, he floated allowing the U.S. to develop Ukrainian natural resources after the war, including vast reserves of rare earth minerals.

And now Trump is proposing his own version of that idea, saying he wants access to Ukrainian ports, oil and gas reserves and minerals after the war. According to The Telegraph, Trump sent a memo to Ukraine calling for 50 percent of recurring revenues on those resources, as well as 50 percent of the value from, quote, all new licenses issued to third parties.

And now Trump is proposing his own version of that idea, saying he wants access to Ukrainian ports, oil and gas reserves and minerals after the war. According to The Telegraph, Trump sent a memo to Ukraine calling for 50 percent of recurring revenues on those resources, as well as 50 percent of the value from, quote, all new licenses issued to third parties.

Zelensky has publicly bristled at that plan, though, saying, quote, I cannot sell our country. But it's very clear Trump is expecting some form of payback for all the U.S. tax dollars that have gone to Ukraine.

Zelensky has publicly bristled at that plan, though, saying, quote, I cannot sell our country. But it's very clear Trump is expecting some form of payback for all the U.S. tax dollars that have gone to Ukraine.