March 7: What. Just. Happened?

In which, President Trump plays hardball with Ukraine, Europe attempts to play hardball with Trump, and the Democrats struggle to play ball.

What. Just. Happened?

I’m sure you knew Ukraine was going to be leading the newsletter (again) this week.

Mere minutes after last week’s newsletter went out summarizing what had already been a wild week in US-Europe-Ukraine diplomacy, it got even wilder.

President Zelensky came to DC, ostensibly to sign an economic development deal with the US that many saw as a first step to getting the coveted security guarantees from the US that Ukraine has long sought. That was not to be.

Things went outrageously sideways when a televised discussion between Trump, Zelensky and their principals went off the rails with raised voices, accusations, and counter accusations. The meeting ended, the dueling groups withdrew to their respective corners…er… rooms where the Ukrainians were told it was time for them to leave. No lunch. No deal.

Initially, President Zelensky appeared unmoved and unrepentant despite the Trump administration’s demand for an apology.

Things went from bad to worse as the US announced pauses on arms transfers to and intelligence sharing with Ukraine until Kyiv agreed to a timeline for talks with Russia.

Where do things stand now?

Despite the hullabaloo and posturing following the Oval Office meltdown, Zelensky appears to be coming around on working with the Trump administration first with tacitly apologizing, then announcing that Ukrainian and American negotiators would be meeting next week in Saudi Arabia to discuss just such a timeline.

Why the sudden reversal by Zelensky despite a very vocal (if repetitive) show of support from European leaders immediately following his Oval Office exit?

Well…