Zelenskyy-Vance-Trump Blow Up, DOJ Demotions, Feds Plan for Bird Flu

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What happened during Zelensky's Oval Office meeting with Trump?

Ayesha Roscoe 0:21
The meeting with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky began smoothly, with President Donald Trump touting his role as a peacemaker between Ukraine and Russia.
Scott Simon 0:31
But it ended in shouting, we'll have the details and the reaction from Kiev.
Ayesha Roscoe 0:36
Demotions at the Department of Justice, including lawyers who worked on the January 6th cases.
Scott Simon 0:41
Also, the Department of Agriculture's plan to fight bird flu and high egg prices.
Ayesha Roscoe 0:47
Stay with us. We have the news you need to start your weekend.
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Scott Simon 1:16
There is shock and dismay in Ukraine after President Zelensky was berated in the Oval Office by both Vice President J.D. Vance and President Trump.

How are Ukrainians reacting to the Oval Office incident?

Donald Trump 1:25
You're gambling with World War III. And what you're doing is very disrespectful to the country, this country. That's back to you. Far more than a lot of people said they should have.
Ayesha Roscoe 1:37
After the meeting, the White House canceled a joint news conference and the Ukrainian delegation canceled plans to sign a treaty with the United States on sharing Ukraine's mineral resources.
Scott Simon 1:48
Trump had said this deal was key to organizing a ceasefire with Russia. And Paris, Joanna Kakissis joins us now from Kyiv. Thanks for being with us.
Joanna Kakissis 1:57
Thanks for having me, Scott.
Scott Simon 1:58
How would you describe the reaction you're experiencing there?
Joanna Kakissis 2:02
Well, Scott, I would describe the reaction as outrage laced with panic. The U.S. is Ukraine's most important single ally, and Zelensky himself has said repeatedly that it will be very hard for Ukraine to keep defending itself against Russia without U.S. support. I got several text messages from Ukrainians I know saying, oh, no, it's over, and they wondered why. With the Trump administration embracing Russia, what will happen to Ukraine? And now this is the panic talking. But what's been louder than the panic has been the anger. Ukrainians are rallying around Zelensky, recording TikTok videos supporting him and writing on social media. Likening President Trump and Vice President Vance to schoolyard bullies who set out to humiliate and browbeat Zelensky, one prominent Ukrainian politician, Mustafa Nayyem, posted a godfather meme and wrote, quote, This administration doesn't just dislike us, they despise us. Not just Zelensky, but us, as a country, as a problem, as an annoying obstacle in their cozy world of backroom deals.
Scott Simon 3:07
Have you heard from Ukrainians specifically about the vice president's claim that President Zelensky hasn't shown gratitude to the U.S. ?
Joanna Kakissis 3:17
We spoke to Ukrainians about this last night at the Kiev food market. They brought it up and this idea that Vance thinks Zelensky isn't grateful. And they pointed out that Zelensky has literally thanked the U.S. almost every single time he speaks publicly. They found it baffling that Vance would claim this since it's easy to check. A Ukrainian soldier, Denis Sokolov, he told us that Ukraine and the Trump administration have two different goals.
Denis Sokolov 3:40
I think the main difference is that Ukraine wants peace, but Trump won't make a deal. That's a huge difference in our politics, in our vision to how we want to end the war.
Joanna Kakissis 3:53
So, Scott, making peace versus making a deal.
Scott Simon 3:57
Joanna, based on your conversations, what do Ukrainians seem to hope will happen next?
Joanna Kakissis 4:03
Well, I hear many Ukrainians saying, look, let's work more closely with Europe where ties are already strong. Zelensky is now in London and is preparing to join a European conference on Sunday. European Union leaders have publicly defended Zelensky, including the EU's top diplomat, Kaya Kalas. She wrote on social media that the free world needs a new leader now, and it's up to us, the Europeans, to take this challenge. Here in Ukraine, political analysts say Zelensky is in a terrible spot. since Trump seems to dislike Zelensky and seems to openly favor Russian President Vladimir Putin.

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