A recent White House meeting between former US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy took an unexpected turn, deepening divisions among Republicans and lowering the chances of more US aid for Ukraine.

Zelenskiy visited Washington to discuss economic cooperation and seek continued support for Ukraine in its war against Russia.

However, the meeting with Trump and Vice President JD Vance did not go as planned. Trump and Vance publicly criticized Zelenskiy, accusing him of being disrespectful.

Some Republicans who had previously supported Ukraine turned against Zelenskiy after the meeting. Senator Lindsey Graham, a strong Trump ally, called Zelenskiy’s behavior unacceptable. He suggested that Zelenskiy should either step down or change his approach.

Senator Bill Hagerty echoed similar sentiments, saying that the US would no longer be taken for granted.

However, not all Republicans agreed with Trump. Some, like Representative Mike Lawler and Representative Don Bacon, defended Ukraine. Lawler said the meeting was a missed opportunity to strengthen ties between the US and Ukraine.

Bacon stressed the importance of supporting Ukraine against Russia, saying the US should stand for freedom and democracy.

Zelenskiy had hoped to sign an agreement with the US to develop Ukraine’s natural resources, but after the tense meeting, the deal was left unsigned. Instead of gaining more US support, Ukraine now faces uncertainty as Republican leaders remain divided.

As the political rift deepens, the future of US aid to Ukraine remains unclear.