It was a shouting match last Friday between President Donald John Trump of the United States of America (USA) and Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine when they met in the White House, seat of the American government.
Although the meeting, at the instance of the Ukrainian President, reached a boiling point when Zelensky, who resisted Trump’s suggestions of concessions to Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom he labeled a “killer,” that he angrily left the White House.
With both presidents talking, interjecting and pointing fingers at the same time, Trump told his visitor that: “Your country is in big trouble. You’re not winning this . . . You don’t have the cards . . .You’re either going to make a deal or we’re out. You’re gambling with world war three and you don’t care about it.”
The shouting match meeting which held in the presence of Vice President J. D. Vance was for both parties to sign a deal for greater US support for Ukraine in its war against Russia in exchange for Ukraine rare earth minerals.
Unfortunately, the shouting match prevented the deal from being signed, much to the pleasure of the Russians.
The incidence in the Oval office has led to accusation of disrespect against Zelensky who said the deal fell short of Ukraine expectations and wants a broader US participation in the ongoing war.
However, diplomatic observers feel that the Oval Office incident appears rooted in Zelensky’s pushback against U.S. pressure to compromise, potentially on NATO membership or territorial losses, terms Zelensky has long rejected.
Meanwhile, President Volodymyr Zelensky has refused to apologise for his clash with President Trump and Vice President JD Vance in the Oval Office but insists the relationship can be repaired.
Speaking to newsmen later on Friday, Mr Zelensky said: “I’m not sure we did something bad. I think maybe some things we have to discuss out of media.”
Meanwhile, European leaders have rallied to support Mr Zelensky after Trump and Vance launched their attack during critical White House talks. Sir Keir Starmer expressed his “unwavering support” for Ukraine and said he had spoken with both Mr Zelensky and Mr Trump over the phone.
Following the tense exchange, Mr Zelensky urged the world not to forget about Ukraine. In a message on Telegram, he posted a video of a meeting in Washington with Ukrainian citizens.
“Thank you for your support in this difficult time, for all your efforts for the sake of Ukraine and Ukrainians and for your help – not only diplomatic and financial, but also political and prayerful.”
