In the strongest rebuke yet of Donald Trump’s controversial meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Senator Mark Kelly delivered a scathing takedown of the former president’s handling of the situation. Speaking on CNN, the Arizona senator and former astronaut criticized Trump’s approach, arguing that it has weakened U.S. credibility and emboldened Russian President Vladimir Putin.
A Diplomatic Disaster
Kelly did not mince words when addressing the fallout from Trump’s actions. He emphasized that the meeting left the U.S. in a worse position internationally, particularly among European allies who were left questioning America’s leadership.
“Our European allies especially are looking at this and they’re thinking to themselves: What just happened? What happened to the United States of America? It used to be the leader of the free world,” Kelly stated.
He further expressed disappointment in how the U.S. treated one of its key allies, comparing it to a business transaction rather than a partnership built on shared values. “We don’t berate our allies in the Oval Office. I’ve never seen anything like this before.”
The Fallout and the Role of Congress
Kelly highlighted the role Congress plays in diplomacy, stressing the need for lawmakers to push the administration back toward constructive negotiations. He urged the White House to “pick up the pieces from this total disaster” and restore America’s traditional approach to foreign policy.
“We have principles, we have values, and this did not get us anything,” he said.
He warned that the consequences of Trump’s approach extend beyond mere optics. “Because of what happened today, we are all less safe,” Kelly asserted, underscoring the broader security implications of the incident.
Putin’s Victory
Perhaps the most damning aspect of Kelly’s remarks was his assertion that the only beneficiary of Trump’s actions was Vladimir Putin.
“I’ll tell you, there is one winner in this, one winner, and if you watch Russian TV tonight or tomorrow morning you will see that they’re going to cover this,” he said. “They’re going to be happy about this. Putin and his cronies are probably popping champagne bottles right now.”
America at a Crossroads
As the U.S. approaches its 250th birthday, Kelly lamented the shift in how America engages with its allies, stressing that this moment should serve as a wake-up call.
His remarks reflect broader concerns that Trump’s foreign policy approach undermines longstanding alliances and plays directly into the hands of adversaries like Russia. With the international community watching, the question remains: can the U.S. rebuild trust and reclaim its position as the leader of the free world?
