Democrats & Republicans have different takeaways on spat between Trump and Zelenskyy

MID-HUDSON – Democratic lawmakers are reacting negatively to the way President Trump and Vice President Vance treated Ukrainian President Zelenskyy during last Friday’s Oval Office meeting.

Democratic Congressman Josh Riley (D, NY-19), who represents a portion of the Hudson Valley, was critical of the way the White House treated the leader of another sovereign nation.

“I do worry that if we, as one of Ukraine’s biggest allies and one of its most important, are undercutting Ukraine in that manner on the world stage that it weakens Ukraine’s position in the war, when we should be strengthening their position, not undercutting it,” Riley said.

Republican Congressman Michael Lawler (R, NY-17) said, “Having this spill out into public view was a disaster – especially for Ukraine.”

He said while he “fundamentally believes that Russia, China and Iran are not our friends or allies and continues to believe it is important to support Ukraine, it was extremely short-sighted to engage in that type of exchange in front of the US and international press as you work toward an agreement.” He said, “Sadly, the only winner is Vladimir Putin.”

Lawler said President Zelenskyy and his team “must work with President Trump and his administration to get this agreement back on track immediately.”

Democratic State Senator Shelley Mayer (D, Westchester) said she is “deeply disturbed” by the way Trump and Vance “bullied” Zelensky and America’s ally of Ukraine.

She said it is “unprecedented for the leaders of the United States to treat our allies with such disrespect.”

The senator said the White House should apologize to President Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people.