Well, this is kind of awkward.
President Trump sent a letter to newly elected Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on May 29 inviting him to the White House at "a mutually convenient time" and promising that America's "support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity is unwavering," according to a copy of the letter posted by The Daily Beast. Thanks to a whistleblower and a subsequent parade of U.S. officials, we now know Trump's support for Ukraine was very much wavering and the White House visit was only "convenient" for Trump after Zelensky publicly committed to investigate Trump's domestic political rivals.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Ukrainian officials made it known to their U.S. counterparts that securing a White House visit is "a key foreign policy goal for the Ukrainian president," The Daily Beast notes. "Ukraine relies on support from the U.S. to resist Russian aggression and is warring with Russian-backed separatists who have occupied territory in the eastern part of the country." But Trump's letter was just a tease. And six weeks afterward, he froze military aid to Ukraine.
Acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney said at his October press conference that the letter to Zelensky was just a "courtesy." Requests from a foreign leader to visit the White House are commonplace, "and we try to be courteous and say yes," he said, but with Ukraine, "I don't remember a serious conversation about setting up an actual meeting. There were no dates discussed." Zelensky is still waiting.
-
5 bullseye cartoons about the reasons for mass shootingsCartoons Artists take on gun worship, a price paid, and more
-
Lisa Cook and Trump's battle for control the US FedTalking Point The president's attempts to fire one of the Federal Reserve's seven governor is represents 'a stunning escalation' of his attacks on the US central bank
-
'Three Pads' Rayner: a housing hypocrite?Talking Point As real estate moguls go, the Deputy PM is 'hardly Donald Trump'
-
British warship repels 'largest Houthi attack to date' in the Red SeaSpeed read Western allies warn of military response to Iranian-backed Yemeni rebels if attacks on ships continue
-
Houthi rebels claim Red Sea ship attacksspeed read Iran-backed Yemeni group vows to escalate aggression towards Israel-linked vessels in revenge for Gaza war
-
Israel plans next phase of Gaza war as first hostages releasedSpeed read After four-day ceasefire 'we will not stop' until destruction of Hamas, says Israel
-
Mob storms Russian airport 'looking for Jews'Speed Read Plane from Israel surrounded by rioters chanting antisemitic slogans after landing in Russia's Dagestan region
-
Tuberville's military promotions block is upending lives, combat readiness, 3 military branch chiefs saySpeed Read
-
Ukraine's counteroffensive is making incremental gains. Does it matter in the broader war?Speed Read
-
US commissions first-ever Navy ship in a foreign portSpeed Read
-
British spy chief, Wagner video suggest Prigozhin is alive and freely 'floating around'Speed Read
