“The conflict with the Republicans is dangerous.” The conversation with Trump was tense, Zelensky had no room for maneuver – Sumlenny

It was a very tense meeting and it was obvious. We see that even on the eve of this meeting the situation was extremely tense: all these statements with absolutely impossible demands to withdraw [посолку України вСША Оксану] Markarov, the Ukrainian authorities allegedly did something criminal in the United States.

And of course, this meeting between Zelenskyi and Trump was, on the one hand, an attempt by Trump to show that he is in control of the situation. On the other hand, of course, Ukraine and President Volodymyr Zelenskyi understand that Ukraine does not even depend on Trump, but on the Republican Party. And regardless of whether Trump is elected president of the United States or not, the Republican Party will remain. And having, regardless of everything, an incurable conflict with the Republicans is dangerous for Ukraine, even if it is elected [кандидатка від Демократичної партії] Kamala Harris.

And there was not much room for maneuver for Zelensky. He had to demonstrate that this meeting was taking place. The problem is, I don’t think that this Republican bubble, that only a very limited amount of media is watching, they’re going to generally look at how disgracefully Trump performed after that meeting. These are his jokes that he is with [російським диктатором Володимиром ] Putin is on good terms. I think they won’t see it and that they probably won’t even know that this meeting took place.

That is, the situation here is very bad for Ukraine in the sense that information about what is actually happening on the ground does not reach many circles.

Of course, it is better for Zelensky to [ця зустріч] happened, than for it not to happen. If only because he had to demonstrate to Republicans in a broad sense that he has nothing against their leader. And that’s normal.

Second, you should never give up hope of building a relationship. And I am not talking about the fact that Trump can be convinced of the moral justice of the struggle of Ukrainians. I think that this moral justice does not bother him at all. But it was possible to demonstrate to him some benefit that he can get from the defeat of Russia, for example, or from the victory of Ukraine.

It is also obvious that Trump has a certain, as it seems, loyalty to Moscow, but first of all there is his loyalty to himself. I am absolutely sure that if Trump sees or has seen [під час зустрічі сЗеленським]as the defeat of Moscow will become his personal victory, he will start playing on it. And in this sense, any meeting with him during which this can be demonstrated is necessary.

Because, again, Trump has no rigid loyalties to anyone but himself. He is a very egocentric person. And this should be used, showing him how the defeat of Russia plays precisely in his favor.