Russian state media and supporters of President Vladimir Putin rejoiced after the tense standoff between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on Friday.
The altercation, during which Trump denounced Zelensky as "disrespectful" and cautioned him, "You have no right to dictate what we should feel. You are playing with World War III," was received with glee in Moscow.
Dmitry Medvedev, former president and deputy head of Russia's Security Council, commented that Trump had administered to Ukraine a "strong slap on the wrist." He said, "For the first time, Trump spoke the truth to the face of the cocaine clown: the regime in Kyiv is playing with the third world war." Medvedev also called for an end to military aid to Ukraine, using a term to describe its government that translates as "Nazi machine."
Russian Foreign Ministry-controlled media platform RT picked up on the meeting, stating, "Zelensky sits with hands between legs as US President and VP hammer him." Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova also mentioned the ferocity of the meeting, stating it was surprising Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance were able to contain themselves from physically attacking Zelensky.
Kirill Dmitriev, chairman of the Russian Direct Investment Fund and a attendee of recent Russian-American negotiations in Saudi Arabia, characterized the Oval Office standoff as "historic." That attitude speaks to the benefit Russia believes it derives from seeing visible tension between the U.S. and Ukraine.
While European leaders have rallied behind Zelensky, expressing continued support for Ukraine, Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban praised Trump's stance. Orban stated that Trump stood "bravely for peace," adding, "Strong men make peace, weak men make war."
Yevgeny Primakov, Russia's Agency for International Humanitarian Cooperation chief, said Zelensky could use provocations resulting in casualties among civilians in order to shift the blame onto Russia. He stressed the risk of organized provocation being used to serve Kyiv's goals.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov reasserted Russia's wish to hold a dialogue with every country, including the U.S., on an equal basis and in mutual interests. This remark preceded the Trump-Zelensky summit, reflecting Russia's calculated positioning against the developing diplomatic tensions.
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