Thread by @SteveEngelberg

As the editor in chief of ProPublica, I’m always telling reporters to read their work out loud. As an experiment, I tried that with today’s rough transcript of President Trump’s phone call with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine. The results are illuminating.

Trump begins by praising Zelenskyy for doing a “terrific job,’’ in winning his election. Zelenskyy replies with a volley of the sort of shameless flattery Trump is known to love.

“You are absolutely right Mr. President. We did win big and worked hard for this. We worked a lot but I would like to confess to you that I had an opportunity to learn from you. We used quite a few of your skills and knowledge and were able to use it as an example’’

Trump laughs, and Zelenskyy slaps another dollop of BS onto his trowel. “Well, yes, to tell you the truth, we are trying to work hard because we wanted to drain the swamp here in our country. ...We have a new format and a new type of government. You are a great teacher for us’’

The formalities out of the way, Trump gets quickly to what’s on his mind. And it’s clear what he means to communicate. YOU OWE US BIGGLY, PAL.

“I will say that we do a lot for Ukraine. We spend a lot of effort and a lot of time. Much more than European countries are doing and they should be helping you more than they are. Germany does almost nothing for you.''

“All they do is talk and I think it’s something that you should really ask them about.’’ The subtext, hardly subtle: The Russians are sitting on a big slice of your country. We’re your only real friends.

IN CASE YOU MISSED THE POINT, VOLODYA, LET ME BE CLEAR. “When I was talking to Angela Merkel, she talks Ukraine, but she doesn’t do anything. A lot of European countries are the same way so I think it’s something you want to look at.’’ LIKE I SAID, YOU'VE REALLY GOT NO FRIENDS.

Then Trump brings down the hammer. “The United States has been very, very good to Ukraine.’’ YOU'RE GETTING THIS, RIGHT? “I wouldn’t say that is reciprocal necessarily because things are happening that are not good but the United States has been very very good to Ukraine.’’

YOU HEARD THAT, RIGHT? IT'S NOT RECIPROCAL AND IT NEEDS TO BE. Zelenskyy tries deflect the conversation the best way he knows how – by agreeing with Trump about the perfidy of the Europeans.

“Yes, you are absolutely right. Not only 100 but actually 1000 percent and I can tell you the following. I did talk to Angela Merkel and I did meet with her. I also met and talked with Macron and I told them they are not doing quite as much as they need to be''

Zelneskyy comes to his real worry: The delayed release of US aid. “I would like to thank you for your great support in the area of defense. We are ready to cooperate for the next steps specifically we are almost ready to buy more Javelins from the US for defense purposes.’’

Let’s pause for some context. The Javelin is a miracle of American technology. It weighs just 33 lbs, can be carried by one solider, yet can blow apart a tank at ranges of well over one mile. It is the ideal weapon to halt the advance of better-armed enemies like Russians.

Ukraine bought 210 Javelin missiles in 2018 from the U.S. for more than $47 million. Presidents typically brush aside requests for specific weapons deals with vague assurances of future support. But Donald Trump is no ordinary president.

The next words out of his mouth will prove pivotal in the months to come: “I would like you to do us a favor.’’ Why? “Because our country has been through a lot and Ukraine knows a lot about it.’’

YOU MAY BE WONDERING WHAT FAVOR I'M TALKING ABOUT HERE SO LET ME SPELL IT OUT. "I would like to find out what happened with this whole situation with Ukraine, they say Crowdstrike….There are a lot of things that went on the whole situation.''

"I would like to have the AG call you or your people and I would like you to get to the bottom of it. As you saw yesterday, that whole nonsense ended with a very poor performance by a man named Robert Mueller, an incompetent performance, but they say it started with Ukraine.’’

Crowdstrike was the firm that traced the 2016 hack of the DNC to Russia, seemingly nothing to do with Javelin anti-tank missiles. Mueller had testified before Congress the previous day about his investigation of Russian meddling in the 2016 election.

Zelenskyy knows where this is going. He and his aides have already been badgered by Giuliani for dirt on the Dems. “Yes, it is very important for me and everything that you just mentioned earlier. For me..it is very important and we are open for any future cooperation.’’

I REALLY NEED THOSE JAVELINS.

“One of my assistants spoke with Mr. Giuliani just recently and we are hoping very much that Mr. Giuliani will be able to travel to Ukraine and we will meet once he comes to Ukraine. I just wanted to assure you once again that you have nobody but friends around us’’

Just to make it completely clear that everyone understands what’s being promised here, Zelenskyy pledges that "I will make sure that I surround myself with the best and most experienced people. I also wanted to tell you that we are friends''

"We are great friends and you Mr. President have, friends in our country so we can continue our strategic partnership.” I UNDERSTAND THAT THE PRICE OF THOSE JAVELINS IS THAT WE INVESTIGATE JOE BIDEN'S SON AND ANYTHING ELSE GIULIANI WANTS.

Zelenskyy continues: “I also plan to surround myself with great people and in addition to that investigation, I guarantee as the President of Ukraine that all the investigations will be done openly and candidly. That I can assure you.”

Trump’s next words underscore what's expected. "I heard you had a prosecutor who was very good and he was shut down and that’s really unfair. A lot of people are talking about that, the way they shut your very good prosecutor down and you had some very bad people involved.’’

Trump couldn’t have been clearer what a new prosecutor needed to examine. "There’s a lot of talk about Biden’s son, that Biden stopped the prosecution and a lot of people want to find out about that so whatever you can do with the Attorney General would be great. ''

"Biden went around bragging that he stopped the prosecution so if you can look into it... It sounds horrible to me.’’

Trump says he will have Giuliani and AG Barr call Zelenskyy for his help, adding: “We will get to the bottom of it. I’m sure you will figure it out. I heard the prosecutor was treated very badly and he was a very fair prosecutor so good luck with everything.’’

Zelenskyy takes one last shot at flattering Trump. “I would like to tell you I have quite a few Ukrainian friends that live in the United States. Actually last time I traveled to the United States, I stayed in New York near Central Park and I stayed at the Trump Tower.’’

He reminds Trump of what has been agreed. “I also want to ensure you that we will be very serious about the case and will work on the investigation.’’

Trump delivers the message one more time. “Thank you very much and I appreciate that. I will tell Rudy and Attorney General Barr to call.’’ The conversation ends with an exchange of pleasantries. Neither president mentions the Javelins.
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