(CLO) The exchange between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy ended in disaster on Friday, after the two leaders exchanged angry words in front of the media at the White House.
Mr. Zelenskyy saw the Oval Office meeting as an opportunity to regain U.S. support in the conflict with Russia. Instead, President Trump and Vice President JD Vance criticized Zelenskyy, saying he had shown disrespect and pushed the relationship further down. A U.S. official said the Ukrainian leader was asked to leave.
An agreement between Ukraine and the United States on jointly developing Ukraine's mineral resources, which Kiev and its European allies hope will usher in better relations, has yet to be signed.
Trump accuses Zelenskyy of “gambling” with people’s lives and World War III
US Vice President Vance stressed the need for diplomacy to resolve Europe's biggest conflict since World War II, while Mr Zelenskyy, arms crossed, countered that President Vladimir Putin could not be trusted in any negotiations and noted that Mr Vance had never visited Ukraine.
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Video of a contentious meeting between leaders at the White House (source: X/JC)
Mr Zelenskyy publicly challenged Mr Trump for his softer approach to Russia, urging him not to compromise with President Putin.
The Ukrainian leader spoke in English during the meeting with Mr. Trump, and as the meeting progressed, his voice was drowned out by Mr. Trump and Mr. Vance.
"You're not in a good position. You don't have any cards right now. With us, you're starting to have cards," Trump said.
"I'm not playing cards, I'm serious, Mr. President," Mr. Zelenskyy responded.
"You're gambling. You're gambling with the lives of millions of people, you're gambling with World War III," the US President continued.
Mr Trump threatened to withhold US assistance to Ukraine. “Either you make a deal or we pull out, and if we pull out, you’re going to have to fight to the bitter end. I don’t think it’s going to be easy,” Mr Trump told Mr Zelenskyy.
“Once we sign that deal, you’re in a much better position. But you’re not grateful, and that’s not a good thing. I’ll be honest. That’s not a good thing.”
Mr Trump insisted that Mr Putin wanted to make a deal. Vice President Vance also chimed in, saying it was disrespectful for Mr Zelenskyy to come to the Oval Office to argue his case, a view with which Mr Trump agreed.
“You didn’t say thank you,” Mr. Vance said. President Zelenskyy loudly responded: “I said thank you many times to the American people.”
Mr Trump quickly accused Zelenskyy of disrespecting the United States on the social media network Truth Social. "I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for Peace if the United States is involved," Mr Vance wrote. "He can come back when he is ready for Peace."
Mr. Trump posted a criticism of President Zelenskyy on social media with the content: "We had a very meaningful meeting at the White House today. Many things would never have been understood without this conversation under heat and pressure. It is amazing what comes out of emotions, and I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for Peace if the United States is involved, because he feels our participation gives him a huge advantage in the negotiations. I don't want advantage, I want PEACE. He has disrespected the United States in his cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for Peace". Photo: X/DonaldTrumpp
Since taking office, Mr. Trump has wanted to quickly end the three-year war, improve relations with Russia and recover money spent to support Ukraine. "I hope I will be remembered as a peacekeeper," Mr. Trump said.
Ukrainian delegation asked to leave White House early
After the talks, Mr. Trump directed two top aides to tell President Zelenskyy that it was time to leave, even as waiters were preparing to serve lunch to the delegations, according to a White House official.
The official added that the Ukrainian side had been instructed to leave even though they still wanted to continue negotiations.
The disagreement meant Ukraine and the US failed to sign a minerals deal that Kiev had hoped would prompt Mr Trump to support Ukraine’s war effort and potentially win support in the US Congress for a new round of aid.
The Ukrainian delegation was soon asked to leave the White House. Screenshot
The head of the Ukrainian armed forces, General Oleksandr Syrskyi, posted a statement on Telegram asserting that his military supported Zelenskyy and that Ukraine's strength lies in its unity.
Anxious Ukrainians watching from afar largely rallied around their leader, but were worried about the prospect of continuing to receive the military aid the country has relied on from the United States.
European leaders, concerned about the consequences of war across the continent, have come to Mr Zelenskyy’s defence, from French President Emmanuel Macron to German chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz.
Ukraine has rapidly expanded its defense industry but remains heavily dependent on foreign military aid and struggles to replenish manpower in an increasingly unequal war with Russia.
Russia still controls about a fifth of Ukraine and is gaining ground on the battlefield, especially in the Donbas region. Ukrainian troops are holding a swath of land in Russia’s western Kursk region after a surprise attack last year.
Hoang Hai (according to WH, Reuters, WP)
Source: https://www.congluan.vn/cuoc-trao-doi-day-gian-du-giua-hai-ong-trump-va-zelenskyy-ket-tuc-trong-tham-hoa-post336611.html
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