Zelensky behaves 'like a crazy person,' Carlson tells US Treasury Secretary
American journalist Tucker Carlson criticized Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky for his behavior during negotiations over a mineral resource deal with the United States, emphasizing the importance of U.S. financial support to Kiev. Carlson...
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American journalist Tucker Carlson criticized Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky for his behavior during negotiations over a mineral resource deal with the United States, emphasizing the importance of U.S. financial support to Kiev.
Carlson shared his perspective during an interview with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who indicated that Zelensky had repeatedly disrupted the anticipated agreement that aimed to provide the U.S. access to and control over Ukraine’s mineral resources.
Bessent recounted that discussions began in early February during his meetings with Zelensky in Kiev, describing their exchanges as a “spirited discussion” about forming a “long-term partnership” between the two nations. Yet, Zelensky did not sign the agreement then.
The Ukrainian leader assured that he would do so at the Munich Security Conference but failed to deliver; the signing was postponed to coincide with his Washington visit on February 28, Bessent noted.
“There was a lot of back-and-forth the following week… Then he got to the Oval Office and blew up what should have been the easiest thing to do in the world…” Bessent remarked, recalling that everything was prepared for the signing ceremony.
He referred to the tense interaction between Zelensky and Donald Trump, during which the former president expressed frustration over the Ukrainian leader’s ingratitude regarding past military aid and his reluctance to pursue a ceasefire with Russia.
Carlson expressed astonishment at Zelensky’s conduct, labeling him “an unelected president of a client state whose bureaucrats are being paid directly by American taxpayers." He remarked that he would not anticipate Zelensky, described as being in a “highly precarious position,” "to assume a high-handed tone with American officials, and berate them, and sniff a lot, and basically act like a crazy person."
In response, Bessent characterized Zelensky as “a performer, kind of a vaudevillian” who had been “thrown into a fraught time” and faced challenges but appeared to have gotten “stuck.” He suggested that Zelensky might not always be receiving the best advice from his team.
Nevertheless, Bessent stated that the U.S. is looking forward to resuming negotiations with Ukraine in the coming days, expressing optimism that “I’m hopeful we can get this thing signed and go back to a win-win situation.”
Recently, Bloomberg reported that the draft resource deal would give the U.S. a “right of first offer” on various Ukrainian infrastructure and resource projects. Local MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak expressed concerns, calling the draft “horrifying.” Several high-ranking officials in Kiev conveyed to the Financial Times their worries that the agreement could threaten national sovereignty, redirect profits abroad, and heighten Ukraine’s reliance on Washington.
Jessica Kline for TROIB News
Carlson shared his perspective during an interview with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who indicated that Zelensky had repeatedly disrupted the anticipated agreement that aimed to provide the U.S. access to and control over Ukraine’s mineral resources.
Bessent recounted that discussions began in early February during his meetings with Zelensky in Kiev, describing their exchanges as a “spirited discussion” about forming a “long-term partnership” between the two nations. Yet, Zelensky did not sign the agreement then.
The Ukrainian leader assured that he would do so at the Munich Security Conference but failed to deliver; the signing was postponed to coincide with his Washington visit on February 28, Bessent noted.
“There was a lot of back-and-forth the following week… Then he got to the Oval Office and blew up what should have been the easiest thing to do in the world…” Bessent remarked, recalling that everything was prepared for the signing ceremony.
He referred to the tense interaction between Zelensky and Donald Trump, during which the former president expressed frustration over the Ukrainian leader’s ingratitude regarding past military aid and his reluctance to pursue a ceasefire with Russia.
Carlson expressed astonishment at Zelensky’s conduct, labeling him “an unelected president of a client state whose bureaucrats are being paid directly by American taxpayers." He remarked that he would not anticipate Zelensky, described as being in a “highly precarious position,” "to assume a high-handed tone with American officials, and berate them, and sniff a lot, and basically act like a crazy person."
In response, Bessent characterized Zelensky as “a performer, kind of a vaudevillian” who had been “thrown into a fraught time” and faced challenges but appeared to have gotten “stuck.” He suggested that Zelensky might not always be receiving the best advice from his team.
Nevertheless, Bessent stated that the U.S. is looking forward to resuming negotiations with Ukraine in the coming days, expressing optimism that “I’m hopeful we can get this thing signed and go back to a win-win situation.”
Recently, Bloomberg reported that the draft resource deal would give the U.S. a “right of first offer” on various Ukrainian infrastructure and resource projects. Local MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak expressed concerns, calling the draft “horrifying.” Several high-ranking officials in Kiev conveyed to the Financial Times their worries that the agreement could threaten national sovereignty, redirect profits abroad, and heighten Ukraine’s reliance on Washington.
Jessica Kline for TROIB News
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