In a heated discussion on “Laura Coates Live” on CNN, political commentator Scott Jennings sharply criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, arguing that his approach to U.S. relations was unnecessarily difficult. Jennings asserted that Zelenskyy’s actions and attitude had complicated efforts to secure continued American support.
“I keep hearing about apologies,” Coates began the discussion, “and perhaps maybe it sounds nice in theory, but the idea—does President Trump actually need an apology from President Zelenskyy to either, A, move forward in his negotiations, or to objectively view how the U.S. should appropriately deal with them?”
“I don't know if he needs an apology,” Jennings said. “He needs Zelenskyy to recognize the position that he's in.”
Jennings accurately framed the U.S. as Ukraine’s primary benefactor and the country’s best hope for ending the conflict and rebuilding. “We're their patron. We're their best hope for the killing to stop and for them to emerge from this sovereign and prosperous. And we're also their best hope as a business partner,” he emphasized.
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According to Jennings, Zelenskyy’s actions during a crucial meeting with U.S. officials were needlessly provocative. “All Zelenskyy had to do today was put on a tie, show up, smile, say thank you, sign the papers, and have lunch. That's it. And he couldn't do that,” Jennings said, highlighting what he described as the Ukrainian leader’s failure to maintain diplomatic decorum. “And this followed ten days of being difficult in private and now one day of being stupid in public.”
While Coates pushed back on Jennings’ criticism of Zelenskyy’s wardrobe, calling it a “ridiculous notion,” Jennings doubled down on his broader point. “This did not have to go down this way,” he said, stressing that Zelenskyy’s approach was making negotiations harder than necessary. “However you feel about why it started, why it's going on, who's right and who's wrong, we can help them in this and come out okay on the other side, and he's making it hard.”
But the most unexpected moment was when Josh Rogin, the Washington Post’s lead global security analyst, agreed with Jennings' assessment. “Laura, I can't believe I'm about to say this, but I actually agree with Scott. And everything that he said was basically right,” Rogin admitted. “I know I'm going to get killed on social media for admitting that, but so be it.”
Rogin argued that regardless of whether Zelenskyy was baited into an adversarial stance, he should have navigated the situation differently. “Zelenskyy took the bait, okay? And he shouldn't have,” Rogin said. “He made a mistake because as bizarre and horrible as it is that matters of life and death are decided now on the basis of whether or not President Trump likes you... that's where we are.”
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He further noted that Zelenskyy had been warned in advance to keep the meeting focused and constructive. “People told him that going in. Just get through the meeting and reestablish U.S.-Ukrainian relations on a strong footing,” Rogin said.
Scott Jennings sums it up perfectly on CNN with Laura Coates Live.
— Thomas Hern (@ThomasMHern) March 1, 2025
"I mean, all Zelenskyy had to do today was put on a tie, show up, smile, say 'thank you,' sign the papers, and have lunch. That‘s it. And he couldn‘t do that." pic.twitter.com/LjZrQ6DfnL
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