Washington: A meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky turned contentious, sparking a heated exchange in front of media representatives. The confrontation, which was captured on camera, unfolded during Zelensky’s visit to the White House.
In the viral videos of the meeting, President Trump was seen telling President Zelensky, “Your country is not winning the war, you’re only surviving because of us. If your military didn’t have the military aid from us, this war would have ended in two weeks.” Throughout the encounter, Zelensky attempted several times to respond to Trump’s comments but was repeatedly interrupted by the US President.
Trump further stated that it was essential to continue the meeting in front of the media to keep the American public informed about the situation. “You should be thankful,” Trump told Zelensky, “You have no options. Your people are dying, and you’re facing shortages of soldiers.”
Trump warned Zelensky, saying, “You are risking a third world war, you are insulting this country (America).” The tension escalated when Trump told Zelensky, “You’re not in a position to give us orders.”
US Vice President JD Vance also joined the conversation, telling Zelensky that his words were “extremely inappropriate.” Trump then asked Zelensky, “Have you ever once thanked America?”
Regarding security guarantees for Ukraine, President Trump stated that the responsibility lies with Europe, not the US, and emphasized that he did not want the US to cease its support for Ukraine.
Zelensky, in response, mentioned that Russia had abducted more than 30,000 children and other civilians, adding that Ukraine wanted the return of its people.
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Trump, growing increasingly frustrated, told Zelensky, “You talk too much.”
Vice President JD Vance also suggested that the path to peace between Russia and Ukraine goes through US diplomatic efforts, including negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Zelensky responded, questioning the effectiveness of diplomacy, stating, “We had an agreement with the Russian president, but he did not honor it. What kind of diplomacy are you talking about?”
Following the tense meeting, a joint press conference between the US and Ukrainian Presidents was canceled.
It is worth noting that in a recent cabinet address, President Trump had mentioned that President Zelensky was expected to sign a major deal on Friday, claiming that the US would take back its funds and that security guarantees for Ukraine should come from Europe, not the US.
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