Grenell lights up Susan Rice for years of failed Dem foreign polices that led to war: ‘We see you’

The War of Words Between Ric Grenell and Susan Rice

The political landscape in the United States has long been marked by sharp divisions, and a recent exchange between Ric Grenell, a former special presidential envoy under the Trump administration, and Susan Rice, a prominent Obama and Biden-era diplomat, has once again highlighted these deep partisan fault lines. Grenell, known for his outspoken views, criticized Rice and the Democratic Party for what he claimed were failed foreign policies that have led to significant global instability. Specifically, he pointed to the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, as well as the situation in Rwanda, as examples of how Democratic leadership has mishandled international relations. Grenell argued that the Trump administration had achieved a period of relative peace in the Middle East and Europe, only for the Biden administration to squander that progress. He also took aim at Rice personally, accusing her of lying about the circumstances surrounding the 2012 Benghazi terror attack, which she had initially attributed to an anti-Islam video. Grenell’s comments were a direct response to Rice’s criticism of conservatives, whom she accused of resorting to tired tactics following President Donald Trump’s tense meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The exchange underscores the broader political tension between Democrats and Republicans over foreign policy and national security.

Susan Rice’s Defense and Counteraccusations

Susan Rice, who served as national security advisor and U.N. ambassador during the Obama administration, fired back at Grenell and other conservatives, dismissing their criticism as baseless and partisan. She joined the conversation after Mollie Hemingway, a writer for The Federalist, suggested that Rice and other Democrats might have influenced Zelenskyy’s behavior during his meeting with Trump, possibly encouraging him to take a confrontational approach. Rice vehemently denied these allegations, stating that she had never met or advised Zelenskyy. She accused conservatives of trying to distract from Trump’s own missteps by targeting her and other Democrats. Rice also took the opportunity to defend her record, calling it “sad” that conservatives would resort to such tactics and emphasizing that U.S. national interest lies in supporting Ukraine, not appeasing Russian President Vladimir Putin. Her comments reflect the broader Democratic view that Trump’s foreign policy has been chaotic and detrimental to global stability.

The Tense Meeting Between Trump, Zelenskyy, and Vance

The backdrop for this heated exchange was a fiery meeting between Trump, Zelenskyy, and Vice President JD Vance in the Oval Office. The encounter was marked by political fireworks, with Trump and Vance pushing for a different approach to achieving peace in Ukraine. Trump reportedly warned Zelenskyy that he was “gambling with the lives of millions of people” and even risks triggering “World War III” with his current strategy. Vance also interjected, questioning whether Zelenskyy had expressed sufficient gratitude for U.S. support. The meeting was notably contentious, with Zelenskyy taking issue with Vance’s suggestion that the path to peace involves increased U.S. diplomacy. The tension was palpable, reflecting the deep divisions over how to handle the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Trump’s comments were characteristically blunt, emphasizing that Ukraine must either make a deal or face the consequences without U.S. involvement. He also criticized Zelenskyy for not appearing grateful for American aid, calling it “not a nice thing.”

Zelenskyy’s Meetings with U.S. Lawmakers

Before his meeting with Trump, Zelenskyy met with a bipartisan group of Senate lawmakers, including Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.). During this meeting, Zelenskyy reportedly reaffirmed Ukraine’s commitment to resisting a “fake peace agreement” that would favor Russian interests at Ukraine’s expense. Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) later shared on social media that Zelenskyy had made it clear that the Ukrainian people would not accept a deal that allowed Putin to achieve his goals without security guarantees for Ukraine. This stance aligns with the broader perspective of many in the U.S. government who view Russia as the aggressor and Ukraine as the victim. Zelenskyy’s message was consistent and clear: Ukraine is determined to defend its sovereignty, even if it means continuing the fight.

Financial and Diplomatic Efforts in Ukraine

The United States has made significant financial commitments to supporting Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion in 2022. According to the Council on Foreign Relations, Congress has appropriated $175 billion in aid to Ukraine over the past two years, though the exact figures vary depending on how “aid” is defined. European countries have also contributed substantially, with a total of $138.7 billion pledged between January 2022 and December 2024, according to the Kiel Institute. The U.S. alone has contributed $119.7 billion during this period, as reported by Fox Digital. These financial commitments underscore the magnitude of the conflict and the West’s resolve to support Ukraine. However, the debate over how this aid is used and whether it is sufficient to bring about a resolution continues to be a contentious issue.

The Aftermath and Ongoing Tensions

In the aftermath of the tense meeting with Trump, Zelenskyy traveled to the United Kingdom, where he met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Starmer reportedly discussed the situation with Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron, suggesting that European leaders are taking the lead in crafting a peace plan that will eventually be presented to the United States. European leaders convened in London for further discussions on Sunday, signaling a coordinated effort to address the crisis. Meanwhile, Trump indicated that Zelenskyy was welcome to return to the U.S. when he is “ready for peace,” a statement that some interpreted as a rebuke of Zelenskyy’s current approach. The spat has sparked concern about the unity of the Western alliance and the implications for Ukraine’s ability to negotiate a favorable peace deal.

The exchange between Ric Grenell and Susan Rice, along with the tense meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy, highlights the ongoing political and diplomatic challenges facing the United States and its allies. As the conflict in Ukraine continues, the debate over how to achieve peace and stability will likely remain a central issue in U.S. politics and international relations.