President Donald Trump dressed down Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office on Friday ‒ and later told him to leave the White House ‒ in a remarkable public spat that jeopardized continued U.S. support for Ukraine in its war with Russia.
Trump Tells Zelenskyy To Leave After Oval Office Clash
Why In News
- President Donald Trump dressed down Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office on Friday ‒ and later told him to leave the White House ‒ in a remarkable public spat that jeopardized continued U.S. support for Ukraine in its war with Russia.
- A tense exchange turned into a verbal explosion after Vice President JD Vance told Zelenskyy he was being “disrespectful” to Trump and should be thanking the U.S. rather than lecturing it on the cause of the war.
About Meeting
- Shortly after the meeting blew up, Trump said he’s “determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for Peace if America is involved.” Zelenskyy abruptly left the White House at Trump’s demand, according to a White House official, without signing a deal for the U.S. to receive revenue from Ukraine’s minerals in exchange for military assistance.
- The meeting came after Trump opened negotiations this month with Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine in a dramatic break from longstanding U.S. policy and the Biden administration’s complete support for Ukraine. A joint press conference that was scheduled for Trump and Zelenskyy to hold after the meeting was canceled.
The Encounter
- The encounter between Trump and Zelenskyy was anything but conventional diplomacy. After months of tension over US military aid to Ukraine and the ongoing war with Russia, Zelenskyy travelled to Washington seeking reassurances. Trump, however, was fixated on brokering what he called “the deal of the century” — a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine, but one that he expected to be struck on his terms.
- But before the real negotiating could take place, there was the show. And Trump was keenly aware of the cameras that were rolling as the leaders sparred. At one point, the President leaned into the moment as if preparing for a prime-time event. His offhand remark about “great television” might have seemed startling given the context, but it was quintessential Trump.
- As tempers flared in the Oval Office, Zelenskyy told Trump an ocean separates the U.S. from the conflict now, “but you will feel it in the future.” “Don’t tell us what we’re going to feel. We’re trying to solve a problem. Don’t tell us what we’re going to feel,” Trump retorted.
- Zelenskyy interjected. “I’m not telling you,” he said. Vance hit back. “That’s exactly what you’re doing,” the vice president said. “You’re in no position to dictate what we’re going to feel,” a heated Trump responded. “We are going to feel very good and very strong. You’re right now not in a very good position … You’re not in a good position. You don’t have the cards right now. With us, you start having cards.”
- Trump continued: “You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people. You’re gambling with World War III … And what you’re doing is very disrespectful to the country, this country.”
Zelenskyy Thanks US, Trump After Disastrous Visit
- Trump later posted on social media platforms, stating, ‘’Zelensky is not ready for peace. He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for peace.’’
- After leaving the White House, Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to the U.S. in a statement on X. “Thank you America, thank you for your support, thank you for this visit. Thank you @POTUS, Congress, and the American people. Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for that,” Zelenskyy said. Trump told reporters Zelenskyy “overplayed his hand” before boarding Marine One to leave for his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida for the weekend.
- “He’s got to say, ‘I want to make peace,'” Trump said when asked what Zelenskyy needs to do to restart talks with the U.S. “You saw what I saw today. That was not a man that wanted to make peace.”
- Russian leaders cheered Trump’s confrontation with Zelenskyy. “The insolent pig finally got a proper slap down in the Oval Office,” Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chair of the Security Council of the Russian Federation and former Russian president and prime minister, said on X. “And President Trump is right: The Kiev regime is ‘gambling with WWIII.'”
Political Reactions After The Meeting
- Trump’s opinion drew immediate criticism from Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer who blamed Trump and Vice President JD Vance of ‘’doing Putin’s dirty work.’’
- Meanwhile, European allies worried by the collapse, reinstated their support for Ukraine. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hailed Zelensky’s toughness, remarking, ‘’Be strong, be brave, be fearless. You are never alone.’’ As Ukraine fights with Russia, the fallout of this high-profile meeting has raised concerns about the future relationship with the US.
