Most are siding with Zelenskyy

Feb. 28, 2025, will go down in history as one of the grimmest days for American diplomacy [“Heated exchange at White House,” News, March 1].

President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance’s petulant insistence that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy grovel at Trump’s feet has made the United States a laughingstock, at best, and a pariah, at worst.

Americans need to remember that we owe Ukrainians a huge debt of gratitude. After the fall of the Soviet Union, Ukraine voluntarily gave up the third-largest nuclear arsenal under the Budapest Memorandum in 1994, with security guarantees for its territorial integrity from the United States, France, Britain and Russia. In return for relinquishing nuclear weapons, Ukraine was promised protection, promises that Russia has violated.

Had Ukraine kept its nuclear weapons, it would have been among the best nuclear-armed nations, and Russia likely would never have invaded. The West committed to defend Ukraine in exchange for denuclearization, so there’s no need for Ukraine to thank the United States for honoring its promises.

Ukraine’s resistance also has prevented Russia from expanding farther into Europe. Ukraine serves as a barrier, preventing the spread of Russian authoritarianism. Thank you, President Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people.

— Eva Grassano, East Meadow

When Donald Trump says he wants a peace deal in Ukraine, he really means he would like the Ukrainians to hand over their country to him and Vladimir Putin. Trump does not want a deal unless the U.S. extortion demands are met, no future security guarantees are given and Putin gets everything he wants. The ambush was a disgrace for our nation, and as an American citizen, I feel deeply ashamed. Also, why was Russian media there for this show? Of course, Zelenskyy hates Putin, who is a dictator and a liar. Didn’t every American hate Adolf Hitler during World War II?

Unless congressional Republicans start to open their eyes and ask questions, we are headed for irreversible changes in our country’s direction, a loss of our most valuable alliances and an abandonment of our long-held values of supporting freedom and democracy.

— Rita Reid, Melville

The arrogance displayed by Donald Trump and JD Vance toward Volodymyr Zelenskyy was repulsive and contemptible. Zelenskyy was admonished for insufficient gratitude toward Trump. Condescending insults were hurled at Zelenskyy, a leader who exemplifies dignity and bravery. A Trump supporter derided Zelenskyy for not wearing a suit. How have we sunk so low?

To think that in these times, any country can stand on its own against tyrants is ignorant. Our president praises and seeks alliance with Putin — a paradigm of aggression. We must fight to defeat all enemies of freedom and democracy, within or without, who push us nearer to the final seconds on the Doomsday Clock.

— Jodi Dolman, Huntington

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer made the ridiculous accusation that Donald Trump and JD Vance “are doing Putin’s dirty work.” One could easily respond that Schumer has been doing Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s dirty work, blindly funding a war on behalf of a foreign government that has its own corruption.

For three years, Schumer and his fellow war hawks in Congress have forced America to be co-belligerents in a conflict so unimportant that Congress hasn’t even bothered declaring war on Russia.

So, who is more of a threat to our freedom, reputation and wallets? The likes of Schumer or some far-off dictator like Vladimir Putin? I’d choose the former.

— Christopher J. Maloney, Smithtown

How are we Americans to accept the actions of an outrageously dangerous man in the White House? The behavior with Volodymyr Zelenskyy was the opposite of what was called for in such an important encounter. It was shockingly irresponsible and childish.

I refuse to stay quiet while Donald Trump puts Americans in danger. And he ended the debacle by saying it makes great television. God help us!

— Christine Wallace, Port Jefferson

Until Friday, I was proud to be an American. Now, not so much. Watching the “leader of the free world” and JD Vance bully the leader of another nation was demoralizing to Zelenskyy, all Ukrainians and me as an American. Our president needs to rise above pettiness. We are becoming the “ugly Americans” again.

— Gloria R. Maffettone, Uniondale