GB News host slams 'appalling' Donald Trump as Zelensky dealt humiliating blow

 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Washington, D.C. urging that “Russia must end this war,” as he prepares for one of the most consequential meetings of his political career. The White House summit with Donald Trump—joined by key European leaders—could shape Ukraine’s future and the direction of Western unity.

A Precarious Moment for Ukraine

GB News covered the developments with hosts Eamonn Holmes and Penny Smith, joined by political commentator Oscar Reddrop, a former advisor to Boris Johnson. Reddrop warned that the talks could turn into a “humiliating blow” for Zelensky. He argued that Trump’s harsh rhetoric and Ukraine’s vulnerable position on the battlefield make a strong, united West more essential than ever.

“This war is very real, and thousands of lives continue to be lost,” Reddrop said. “Any deal struck will come with conditions, and someone has to enforce them. That’s why America’s role under Trump is so critical.”

Memories of February’s Confrontation

Co-host Penny Smith pointed to Trump’s last meeting with Zelensky in February, which ended in a very public confrontation. Trump accused Zelensky of “gambling with World War Three” and dismissed him as having “no cards to play” while arriving in Washington “with a begging bowl.” The clash left U.S.-Ukraine relations badly strained.

Reflecting on that history, Smith commented: “It’s appalling, but the truth is Ukraine still doesn’t have leverage.”

Reddrop agreed, adding: “The hardest truths are often the most uncomfortable ones. Ukraine is the B side in these negotiations, whether we like it or not. The best hope is that Trump—who can be unpredictable—faces a united front from the UK and EU leaders today.”

Trump’s Conditions

Hours before the meeting, Trump repeated two points aligned with Moscow’s position:

No NATO membership for Ukraine as part of a settlement.

No reversal of Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea.

These remarks came after his summit with Vladimir Putin in Alaska, where Trump abandoned the idea of pushing for a ceasefire and instead began talking about a permanent peace deal.

The Wider Context

Ahead of his Washington talks, Zelensky also joined a virtual meeting with European allies including the UK, France, and Germany—nations that make up what’s often described as the “coalition of the willing,” committed to helping guarantee Ukraine’s future security once peace is achieved.

But on the ground, Russia continues advancing. Since launching its full-scale invasion in February 2022, Moscow now occupies nearly a fifth of Ukrainian territory.

As Zelensky sits down with Trump and Europe’s leaders, the stakes are clear: Will Western unity hold firm—or will Trump’s conditions leave Ukraine facing a weakened position in the pursuit of peace?