KYIV – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky tells Axios on HBO that he was “shocked” by the tampered Trump mob that stormed the US Capitol, saying he never thought it could happen in America and that it undermines American efforts to promote democracy abroad.
Why it matters: Zelensky’s comments show how the January 6 riots echoed outside the borders of America, and unsettling allies and emerging democracies looking to the US for security and inspiration.
- In the interview, Zelensky also talks more openly than ever about his 2019 call with then-President Trump, which helped pave the way for Trump’s first indictment.
- Zelensky hopes to restore relations between the US and Ukraine under the new government and with President Biden – with 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 reflect on his assumptions about America. “I believe it was a strong blow to the democracy of the United States,” he said 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 calmly transferred … In Ukraine, we have gone through two revolutions … we have understood that such things can happen in the world.
- “But that it could happen in the United States? Nobody expected it … I was very worried … I did not want you to have a coup.
- “After something like this, 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 US, who talk a good match when it comes to defending Ukraine, but are often absent when it really counts.
- The emptiness of American rhetoric was sincerely revealed in 2014 when Russia invaded Ukraine and occupied Crimea and the eastern territories.
- President Obama, the then president, spoke out strongly against the invasion, as did his key figure in Ukraine – then-Vice President Biden. But the Obama administration would not send weapons to the Ukrainians to defend themselves against their invaders.
The back story: In the years that followed, Zelensky had to deal with other American betrayals. As newly elected president in 2019, he hoped to have a productive relationship with Trump. But in their infamous early call, Trump did not want to help Ukraine.
- Trump was determined to bully Zelensky into announcing an investigation into Hunter Biden, the son of his political rival. Trump briefly withdrew hundreds of millions of dollars in aid to Ukraine as leverage to put pressure on Zelensky to announce these investigations.
- Trump finally released the aid after members of Congress sounded the alarm about his plan, but after that he never bothered with Ukraine again and gave Zelensky the cold shoulder.