Yes, zelensky was 100% correct and did the “right” thing, but he has an entire country to think about. Someone should gift him some Machiavelli books.

I don’t see evidence that this was inevitable. I see that zelensky flew to the US specifically for this meeting then was argumentative throughout the 40 minute press event and I don’t think he needed to be. Other leaders meeting with Trump lately have managed to manipulate him better with much less motivation and stakes to do so. I don’t think he gained much more than clout, and lost a seat at a negotiating table to sell mineral rights for something.

He told the truth. Normally that is fine, but not in a room with a despot like Trump. So yea, that’s a big whoopsie when you are trying to get US aid from that despot. Zelensky is a great guy, and a terrible politician.