Veteran political analyst Brit Hume appeared on Fox News Friday to discuss President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s meeting with President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance at the Oval Office.
Trump abruptly dismissed Zelenskyy from the White House after a heated argument over U.S. inaction against Vladimir Putin, leading to the cancellation of their press conference. During an appearance on “Special Report with Bret Baier,” Hume said that the meeting was not the right time for a public confrontation.
“Bret, I thought before you even ask him a question that he’d come in to start apologizing. He’s not wrong to say you should speak frankly, that’s for behind closed doors. In public like that, the last thing he should have done was to get into a confrontation,” Hume said.
Hume said that while it’s essential for a leader to express his viewpoints honestly, the timing and platform Zelenskyy chose were far from ideal.
“Look, he’s got a viewpoint, I understand it. I think a lot of people can, but this was not the moment for that. You gave him every chance Bret. You asked him three times, but he never got there,” Hume said.
The incident has left an “open wound,” Hume said, which could remain a sore point in diplomatic relations unless Zelenskyy makes efforts to address and possibly redress the matter.
“I think that this is an open wound now and is going to remain so unless and until something is done. I think it has to be on his side to address this matter,” Hume said.
The confrontation started after Zelenskyy criticized the U.S. for failing to stop Vladimir Putin, provoking Vance, who called Zelenskyy “disrespectful” and accused him of using the situation for propaganda. Vance and Trump confronted Zelenskyy, stressing what they said was the disrespect shown to the U.S. efforts to end the conflict.
Zelenskyy countered by saying that Ukraine is resilient but that, despite his criticisms, ongoing support is needed from the U.S. The dispute escalated with Trump and Vance advising Zelenskyy to appreciate the U.S.’s efforts more openly and to handle diplomatic disagreements more tactfully, rather than airing grievances publicly.
Trump later said on Truth Social that Zelenskyy is “not ready for peace.”
“We had a very meaningful meeting in the White House today,” Trump said. “Much was learned that could never be understood without conversation under such fire and pressure. It’s amazing what comes out through emotion, and I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for Peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations. I don’t want advantage, I want PEACE. He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for Peace.”
Featured Image Credit: President Of Ukraine
