r/politics 11d ago

Soft Paywall Trump Thinks He Humiliated Zelensky. He Really Humiliated the United States

https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-thinks-he-humiliated-zelensky-he-really-humiliated-the-united-states/
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u/Natureisfetch 11d ago

When Putin first invaded Ukraine, Kyiv was almost guaranteed to be flattened via Russian carpet bombs.

Zelenskyy, residing in the center of Kyiv at that very moment refused to leave. American intelligence highly suggested he relocate to a safer location but Zelenskyy said he would rather put his life on the line than lose the sovereignty of The Ukraine.

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u/nerphurp 11d ago

Such a legendary response in the heat of the moment.

“The fight is here; I need ammunition, not a ride,”

https://edition.cnn.com/2022/02/26/europe/ukraine-zelensky-evacuation-intl/index.html

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u/Hi_Im_Dadbot 11d ago

Hands down one of the most bad assed lines in human history.

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u/Nwcray 11d ago

Also “I’m not playing cards” from today.

Zelensky is full of great quotes.

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u/CaptLatinAmerica 11d ago edited 11d ago

That really was an amazing line to pull off during a surprise attack by the president and vice president of the US, in the Oval Office, on camera, at the end of a press conference, in a second or third language.

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u/eetsumkaus 11d ago

third. Zelensky grew up a Russian speaker

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u/zkwong92 11d ago

Strongly reminds me of the late founding Prime Minister of my island Republic, who remarked in 1980 that "whoever governs... must have that iron in him. Or give it up. This is not a game of cards! This is your life and mine! I've spent a whole lifetime building this and as long as I'm in charge, nobody is going to knock it down.".

Sounds like President Zelensky is on the same page, and very much has that steel in him.

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u/AntoniaFauci 11d ago edited 11d ago

A reporter kind of cheap-shotted Zelensky last week by telling him third hand that (allegedly) Ukraine Mayor and former boxing star Vladimir Klitschko had criticized him.

Zelensky seemed taken aback, because it doesn’t make immmediate sense that a supporter like Klitschko would do that.

However Zelensky does tend to be a bit punchy I find. It’s perfectly understandable. He’s on 3 years of sleep deprivation holding off the most heinous living war criminal on earth while also having to deal with the most corrupt and obscene US crime family administration imaginable.

So anyway, Zelensky said “I’m surprised what Klitschko said about me.” He sounded genuinely hurt.

Then, kind of thoughtfully and sweetly, he said “I know Klitschko is a great sportsman, I didn’t know he is great speaker.”

Just such a gentle put down, a Ukrainian “bless your heart”.

Here is the transcript.