KYIV – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky tells “Axios on HBO” that he was “shocked” by the pro-Trump mob that stormed the US Chapter, saying he never imagined that this could happen in America and that it harms US efforts to promote democracy abroad.
Why does it matter: Zelensky’s comments show how the January 6 riots echoed across America, unsettling allies and emerging democracies that look to the United States for security and inspiration.
- In the interview, Zelensky talks more openly than ever about his 2019 call to then-President Trump, which helped pave the way for Trump’s first removal.
- Zelensky hopes to reset the US-Ukraine relationship under the new administration and with President Biden – whom he has not yet met.
The whole picture: The spectacle of the siege of the Capitol left a deep impression on Zelensky and made him rethink his assumptions about America. “I think this was a strong blow to the democracy of the United States,” he said, speaking through an interpreter in an interview at his presidential office.
- “We are accustomed to believing that the United States has the ideal democratic institutions, where power is calmly transferred. … In Ukraine, I experienced two revolutions … I understood that such things can happen in the world.
- “But what could happen in the United States? Nobody expected that … I was very worried … I didn’t want you to have a coup.
- “After that, I think it would be very difficult for the world to see the United States as a symbol of democracy.”
Between the lines: Zelensky is in a difficult situation – caught between a hostile invader from Russia and allies from Europe and the US, who talks about a good game when it comes to defending Ukraine, but is often absent when it really matters.
- The goal of American rhetoric was strongly revealed in 2014, when Russia invaded Ukraine, seizing Crimea and the eastern territories.
- Then President Obama spoke out strongly against the invasion, as did his reference person on Ukraine – then Vice President Biden. But the Obama administration would not send weapons to Ukrainians to defend themselves against their invaders.
The story behind it: In the years that followed, Zelensky dealt with other American betrayals. As the newly elected president in 2019, he hopes to have a productive relationship with Trump. But in their infamous early phone 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 backed 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 sounded alarms about his plan, but after that, he never bothered with Ukraine again and gave Zelensky a cold shoulder.