KYIV – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told “Axios on HBO” that he was “shocked” by the pro-Trump crowd that invaded the United States Capitol, saying that he never imagined that this could happen in America and that it undermines the efforts of the States States to promote democracy abroad.
Why does it matter: Zelensky’s comments show how the January 6 riots echoed beyond America’s borders, disturbing emerging allies and democracies looking to the United States for security and inspiration.
- In the interview, Zelensky also speaks more openly than ever about his 2019 liaison with then President Trump, who helped pave the way for Trump’s first impeachment.
- Zelensky hopes to redefine the US-Ukraine relationship under the new government and with President Biden – with whom he has yet to meet.
The big picture: The spectacle of the siege of the Capitol left a deep impression on Zelensky and made him rethink his assumptions about America. “I believe this was a major blow to democracy in the United States,” he said, speaking through an interpreter in an interview in his presidential office.
- “We are used to believing that the United States has the ideal democratic institutions, where power is transferred calmly … In Ukraine, we are experiencing two revolutions … we understand that these things can happen in the world.
- “But what could happen in the United States? Nobody expected this … I was very worried … I didn’t want you to hit.
- “After something like that, I believe it would be very difficult for the world to see the United States as a symbol of democracy.”
Between the lines: Zelensky finds himself in a difficult situation – caught between a hostile invader in Russia and allies in Europe and the United States, who speaks a good game when it comes to defending Ukraine, but is often absent when it really matters.
- The void of American rhetoric was clearly revealed in 2014, when Russia invaded Ukraine, taking Crimea and the eastern territories.
- Then President Obama spoke out vehemently against the invasion, as did his counterpart in Ukraine – then Vice President Biden. But the Obama administration would not send weapons to Ukrainians to defend themselves against their invaders.
The background story: In the years that followed, Zelensky had to deal with other American betrayals. As a newly elected president in 2019, he hoped to have a productive relationship with Trump. But in his infamous opening call, Trump was not interested in helping Ukraine.
- Trump was determined to intimidate Zelensky into announcing an investigation into Hunter Biden, the son of his political rival. Trump briefly showed hundreds of millions of dollars in aid to Ukraine as a lever to pressure Zelensky to announce these investigations.
- Trump ended up releasing aid after members of Congress raised alarms about his scheme, but after that, he never worried about Ukraine again and gave Zelensky a cold shoulder.