Former National Security Adviser and U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice has expressed outrage over President Donald Trump putting Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky in his place.
During an interview on MSNBC, Rice criticized Trump’s handling of his Oval Office meeting with Zelensky, calling it a “setup.”
Rice’s comments come after a tense exchange between Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Zelensky.
As Slay News reported, they roasted “disrespectful” Zelensky after he started complaining in front of the media about the peace deal President Trump has been negotiating with Russia to end the war.
Zelensky’s behavior resulted in the Ukrainian leader being kicked out of the White House, a scheduled press conference being canceled, and the peace deal being called off.
During her MSNBC appearance, Rice claimed that Zelensky was forced into a bad deal and that the confrontation was orchestrated for political theater.
“It’s a very sad day and an embarrassment for the United States on the world stage,” Rice said.
“But let’s step back and analyze what’s happened here.
“I think there’s no question that this was a setup.”
Due to the interview being on MSNBC, Rice was required to produce any evidence to support her claims.
Instead, she pointed to Trump’s own remarks following the meeting, in which he described the exchange as “great television.”
“This was a setup,” Rice continued.
“Vladimir [sic], I mean, excuse me, Vladimir [sic] Zelensky was compelled to agree to a horrible deal that would have sent Ukraine’s minerals to the United States without any concrete security guarantees.”
According to Rice, Zelensky had no choice but to come to Washington in an effort to maintain U.S. support and was placed in a difficult position.
“And yet, because he was trying to improve a relationship with Donald Trump, he came to Washington, he came to the Oval Office and sat down for a meeting, hat in hand,” she said.
“And soon after he got there, the vice president of the United States lit into him and started a confrontation.”
The meeting between Trump and Zelensky had been anticipated as a potential turning point in U.S.-Ukraine relations.
The Trump administration was signaling a shift away from open-ended military assistance.
Reports indicate that Trump was initially open to discussions, but the conversation took a confrontational turn when Zelensky questioned U.S. support and implied that past efforts were insufficient.
Zelensky also reportedly pushed back on Vice President Vance’s characterization of U.S. foreign policy, particularly regarding previous administrations’ handling of Russian aggression.
He continued by demanding what Trump and Vance would do to challenge Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “aggression.”
Rice’s comments reflect growing criticism from those who have supported continued aid to Ukraine.
However, Trump has maintained that his priority is achieving a resolution to the conflict without further entangling the U.S. in prolonged foreign commitments.
Rice went further in her accusations, suggesting that Trump’s handling of the meeting was aimed at appeasing Putin.
“And I think, as he said at the end, because he can’t help himself, this was a setup for the cameras,” she claimed.
“It was a play to his base.
“But above all, it was a play to Vladimir Putin, to show fealty to Vladimir Putin and to try to humiliate Zelensky.”
WATCH:
Based on what she says here, you’d think Susan Rice was a Ukrainian official on state-sponsored TV, not a former US official! Why is a deal she considers advantageous to the US bad? Does she really think Zelenskyy “democratically represents” his people more than our president? pic.twitter.com/CzeDXKiB0t
— Laura Powell (@LauraPowellEsq) March 1, 2025
Trump has consistently rejected accusations of being aligned with Putin, instead arguing that his administration successfully deterred Russian aggression.
He has contrasted his record with that of previous administrations, noting that Putin’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 occurred under Barack Obama and that the full-scale invasion of Ukraine took place under President Joe Biden.
Following the meeting, Trump reiterated his stance on Truth Social.
Trump said he does not believe Zelensky is ready for a diplomatic resolution.
“We had a very meaningful meeting in the White House today,” Trump wrote.
“Much was learned that could never be understood without conversation under such fire and pressure.
“It’s amazing what comes out through emotion, and I have determined that President Zelensky is not ready for Peace if America is involved because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations.
“I don’t want advantage, I want PEACE.
“He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office.
“He can come back when he is ready for Peace.”
TRUMP: ZELENSKY IS NOT READY FOR PEACE AND HE DISRESPECTED US
“We had a very meaningful meeting in the White House today. Much was learned that could never be understood without conversation under such fire and pressure.
It’s amazing what comes out through emotion, and I… https://t.co/OTvWUyPbMP pic.twitter.com/AIrDhogIYm
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) February 28, 2025
With the U.S. policy on Ukraine undergoing a major shift, the fallout from the meeting underscores the growing divide over America’s role in the conflict.
The Biden-Harris administration’s supporters, including Rice, continue to advocate for perpetuating Ukraine’s war with Russia.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration has emphasized a different approach focused on achieving a negotiated peace.
If you watch the full Trump-Zelensky press conference, it is very clear that Zelensky, not Trump or Vance, became the antagonist. Both POTUS and VP were very respectful and cordial until Zelensky very publicly ignited a firestorm.
It all starts at 40:30
1) Zelensky essentially… pic.twitter.com/xrM4cWSPny
— Jordan Schachtel (@JordanSchachtel) February 28, 2025
Part of the peace deal that Trump’s team negotiated includes a condition that Zelesnky must allow Ukraine to hold a presidential election.
Zelensky’s presidential term ended last year, but he remained in power after canceling the elections.
It should be noted that once Zelesnky agrees to a peace deal, his career will likely be over.
By rejecting the peace deal and keeping Ukraine’s war with Russia ongoing, Zelensky will continue clinging to power.
