Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky is not ready for peace as he sees Washington’s involvement in negotiations on the Ukraine conflict as a bargaining chip, US President Donald Trump has said, following a heated and unprecedented meeting on Friday.
Trump made the caustic remarks in a social media post after receiving Zelensky at the White House, where the two were expected to sign an agreement granting Washington access to Ukraine’s natural resources.
Zelensky’s visit was cut short after he got into a heated exchange with Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance in front of the media, leading to Trump accusing Zelensky of “disrespectful” behavior in the Oval Office.
The exchange culminated in a tense argument when Vance accused Zelensky of going to Pennsylvania in October to campaign for the Democrats, and urged him to “say a few words of gratitude to the US and the president who is trying to save your country.”
Zelensky responded by saying: “Please, do you think that if you talk very loudly about the war...”
He was immediately cut off by Trump, who said: “He is not speaking loudly. Your country is in big trouble. You are not winning. You have a damn good chance of coming out okay because of us.”
The Ukrainian ambassador to the US was seen with her head in her hands, as Zelensky countered that Ukraine is “alone” but remains “strong and grateful.”
Trump dismissed the claim, interrupting Zelensky to say, “You were not alone. We gave you, through this stupid president (Joe Biden), $350 billion, we gave you military equipment.” As Zelensky attempted to shout over Trump, the US president asserted that without American aid, the war would have ended in two weeks.
“We had a very meaningful meeting,” Trump later wrote on Truth Social, adding: “Much was learned that could never be understood without conversation under such fire and pressure.”
Trump went on to say that Zelensky “is not ready for peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations.”
“It’s amazing what comes out through emotion,” he remarked.
He reiterated that he wants peace, adding that Zelensky “disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office.”
Trump, who did not accompany Zelensky to the exit, concluded his statement by saying, “He can come back when he is ready for Peace.”
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