Former Jamaican ambassador, Curtis Ward advises CARICOM leaders to take note

CARICOM leaders are being warned to take careful note of the transactional nature of U.S. foreign policy, following a testy Oval Office meeting between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian leader, Volodymyr Zelensky.

The meeting descended into a shouting match on Friday.

The U.S. President accused the Ukrainian leader of gambling with World War Three by refusing to accept the terms of a deal being negotiated to end the war with Russia.

Ukraine has not been invited to participate in the negotiations.

The unprecedented diplomatic stand-off has cast fresh doubts about America’s commitment to Ukraine’s security in the face of Russian aggression.

Students of international relations, politics and history no doubt watched in amazement Friday as the U.S. President berated the leader of a country that has been invaded by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The public spat represents a sharp break in U.S. foreign policy.

America has given more than 100-billion dollars in military and development aid to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion in 2022.

Former Jamaican ambassador, Curtis Ward, says Friday’s exchanges in the Oval Office diminished the dignity of the office of U.S. President.

Ambassador Ward, who served as Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations with Special Responsibility for Security Council Affairs, says leaders in the Caribbean must take note of how the Ukrainian leader was treated by Trump.

Trump has threatened tariffs on countries that have not complied with his demands on trade and immigration. Canada and Mexico have faced such threats.

Ambassador Ward says there are other areas of concern where Trump may attempt to exert influence in the region.

After asking Zelensky to leave on Friday, Trump has told him he can return to the White House when he’s ready to make a deal.