During a refueling stop in Shannon, Ireland, on his way back from Kyiv, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent left a succinct message in the airport's welcome book: "AMERICA FIRST!" This two-word inscription, captured by FOX Business White House correspondent Edward Lawrence, reflects the Trump administration's core principle. Bessent's entry followed one from former Secretary of State Antony Blinken, expressing gratitude to the Shannon Airport staff.
The brief stopover came amidst Bessent's trip to Ukraine, where he was dispatched by President Trump to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This visit, along with a separate meeting between Vice President JD Vance and Zelenskyy, precedes a trip by U.S. envoy Keith Kellogg, who is tasked with brokering a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia to end the protracted conflict. Bessent’s discussions with Zelenskyy were expected to cover sanctions, rare earth minerals, and the allocation of U.S. funding. Trump emphasized the urgency of ending the war, citing the immense loss of life and the substantial financial burden on the United States.
These high-level meetings come as President Zelenskyy expressed willingness to consider Trump's proposed terms for a security partnership. Kellogg's upcoming mission builds upon his recent meeting with Ukrainian delegates at the State Department, signaling a renewed push for a peaceful resolution to the three-year war.
