Russia's ruble, the Moscow stock market and Ukrainian government bonds all declined Monday after Friday's Oval Office dust-up between U.S. President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky kn

In stunning scenes on Friday that sent political shockwaves across Europe, Zelenskyy was mocked and belittled by Trump and Vice President JD Vance, who accused him of not doing enough to end Moscow’s full-scale invasion and being ungrateful for American aid.

To seasoned diplomatic observers, US President Donald Trump’s furious dressing down of Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office was a planned political mugging, a trap set by the Trump administration to discredit the Ukrainian leader and remove him as an obstacle to whatever comes next.

The Friday argument between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky was closely followed in Moscow. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that "It is very important that someone forces Zelensky himself to change his position.

Peter Baker, a veteran journalist and former Moscow correspondent for the New York Times, compared the White House’s decision to Kremlin tactics.

The Kremlin expressed approval of President Donald Trump’s recent shift in tone regarding Ukraine, with a spokesman stating that the White House now holds a position that “largely coincides” with that of Russia.

The White House is stripping the White House Correspondents’ Association of its role in managing the White House Press Pool, taking control of deciding who will be a part of the small rotating group of journalists and photographers who accompany the president.

A majority of Russians are in favor of peace talks, but a very vocal minority eye US overtures with suspicion and contempt.