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Donald Trump’s meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House descended into an angry shouting match after Vice President JD Vance called the Ukrainian president “disrespectful,” blowing up discussions on security guarantees and a minerals deal ahead of peace talks to end Russia’s war on Ukraine.
In talks this week with French President Emmanuel Macron and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Trump appeared to smooth over any previous animosity toward Zelensky. However, much of that appeared undone as the president accused him of “gambling with World War 3.”
In a statement posted to Truth Social, Trump said: “I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for Peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations. I don’t want advantage, I want PEACE. He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for Peace.”
Meanwhile, a California federal judge has ordered the U.S. government’s Office of Personnel Management to temporarily rescind directives ordering the mass firings of probationary employees at dozens of federal agencies, a major blow to Donald Trump’s administration as it attempts to drastically downsize the state under the guidance of Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Joint news conference cancelled
The joint news conference between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky has been cancelled.
Schumer accuses Trump and Vance of ‘doing Putin’s dirty work’
Trump says Zelensky can ‘come back when he is ready for peace’
President Donald Trump posted the following statement to Truth Social:
“We had a very meaningful meeting in the White House today. Much was learned that could never be understood without conversation under such fire and pressure. It’s amazing what comes out through emotion, and I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for Peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations. I don’t want advantage, I want PEACE. He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for Peace.”
Putin ‘right now saying Thank You to Trump and Vance’ says U.S. senator
Having seen the heated exchange in the Oval Office, New Jersey Senator Andy Kim tweeted: “I’m sure Putin is right now saying “Thank You” to Trump and Vance for abandoning American leadership and attacking our allies.”
It was a very difference scene this morning when Zelensky met bipartisan group of senators
It was a very different scene this morning President Volodymyr Zelensky met with a bipartisan group of senators.
The Ukrainian leader wrote on X: “An important visit to the United States. In Washington, I met with a bipartisan delegation from the U.S. Senate.
“Our discussions focused on the continued military assistance for Ukraine, relevant legislative initiatives, my meeting with President Trump, efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace, our vision for ending the war, and the importance of robust security guarantees.
“We take pride in having strategic partners and friends like the United States. We are grateful for the unwavering bicameral and bipartisan support for Ukraine throughout all three years of Russia’s full-scale aggression.”
Senator calls Oval Office scene ‘an utter embarrassment for America’
Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut calls the scene that unfolded in the Oval Office between Donald Trump and JD Vance on one side and Volodymyr Zelensky on the other “an utter embarrassment for America.”
Trump-Zelensky meeting devolves into shouting match after Vance accuses Ukraine leader of being ‘disrespectful’
What was supposed to be a triumphant White House visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to mark the signing of a mineral rights deal between the United States and Ukraine devolved into an Oval Office shouting match between Zelensky, President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
Andrew Feinberg reports from the White House on this developing story…
Ukraine’s ambassador seen with head in hands as meeting gets heated
‘Your country is in big trouble’ Trump tells Zelensky in heated Oval Office meeting
Oval Office meeting descends into ‘shouting match’
Things got testy at the meeting when Vice President JD Vance said it was “disrespectful for Zelenskyy to come into the Oval Office, litigating in front of the American media.”
Mr. President, Mr. President, with respect. I think it’s disrespectful for you to come to the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the American media. Right now, you guys are going around and forcing conscripts to the front lines because you have manpower problems, you should be thanking the president for trying to bring it into this Ukraine that you see what problems I have been to. I’ve actually, I’ve actually watched and seen the stories, and I know what happens is you bring people. You bring them on a propaganda tour, Mr. President, are Do you disagree that you’ve had problems bringing people in your military, and do you think that it’s respectful to come to the Oval Office of the United States of America and attack the administration is trying to prevent the destruction of your country?
President Donald Trump tells Zelenskyy: “The problem is, I’ve empowered you to be a tough guy, and I don’t think he’d be a tough guy without the United States and your people are very brave, but you’re either going to make a deal or we’re out, and if we’re out, you’ll fight it out. I don’t think it’s going to be pretty.”
“You’re in a much better position, but you’re not acting at all thankful,” Trump adds. “And that’s not a nice thing. I’ll be honest. That’s not a nice thing.”
Source: independent.co.uk
