‘Disheartening and disgusting behavior’: Edmontonians react to heated Zelenskyy-Trump meeting

Edmontonians are calling a news conference involving U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky disgusting.

A heated exchange between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump over the war with Russia has many in awe of the state of world politics.

The meeting was arranged with the hopes Zelenskyy could convince Trump to support Ukraine instead of siding with the Russian President who invaded the country more than three years ago.

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Lydia Migus, the vice-president of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress Alberta Provincial Council (UCC-APC), told CTV News Edmonton about the frustration felt amongst the community after witnessing the quarrel.

“The press were asking questions of President Zelenskyy, and as he was trying to answer, it became apparent that he wasn’t allowed to (answer). Both Vance and Trump started interrupting him (and) berating him,” Migus said Friday.

“It was very disheartening and disgusting behaviour for two leaders to behave that way,” she added. “An ally treating another ally this way … if this is how they treat their allies, it’s scary.”

Migus said it’s obvious that Trump makes away with another deal, or cuts off military support to the warring country.

“Ukraine has been plundered for centuries for their resources, their mineral resources, the grains that they produce because it’s such a … rich country,” said Migus. “If it’s not Russia that’s plundering it or other oligarchs over the years, then it’s America. It’s just shameful.”

According to Migus, the Ukrainian President handled himself well considering the circumstances, saying “he behaved the best he could in front of two bullies.”

Alyssa Stoddard, the secretary for UCC-APC, said the United States has “taken a differing position on the war in Ukraine.”

“It’s important to recognize that UCC-APC as an organization, and as Canadian Ukrainians and Ukrainians in Canada, we are encouraged by the response by Canada in standing up for Ukraine and on the right side of history,” said Stoddard.

“We have been in a waiting game of when President Trump and President Zelenskyy were going to meet … and now we’re seeing it in action. It is concerning, but all we can do is stand with Ukraine.”