The way forward for United States assist for Ukraine stands doubtful after a high-profile assembly between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump devolved right into a shouting match.
The 2 leaders – together with US Vice President JD Vance – clashed on Friday in entrance of reporters on the Oval Workplace over the way forward for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
There have been indications the assembly could be prickly from the second Zelenskyy arrived on the White Home after Trump greeted the Ukrainian chief with a quip about his outfit.
Tensions quickly ramped up because it grew to become clear the leaders disagreed over the phrases of a minerals deal, which might give the US broad entry to Ukraine’s uncommon earths as reimbursement for Washington’s assist for Kyiv’s combat in opposition to Russia.
Zelenskyy emphasised that any settlement wanted to incorporate actual safety assurances for Ukraine, one thing the US underneath Trump has up to now prevented.
Tensions spiked as Trump touted his pleasant relations with President Vladimir Putin, earlier than he blamed Zelenskyy’s animosity in direction of the Russian chief for stalling peace talks.
The information convention descended into outright aggression as Vance accused the Ukrainian chief of being “disrespectful”, earlier than asking him, “Have you ever mentioned ‘thanks’ as soon as?”
The assembly ended prematurely, earlier than the Ukrainian chief and his delegation have been ushered out of the White Home.
The uncommon earth minerals deal additionally went unsigned and its future now appears to be like unsure. An unnamed White Home official, talking on situation of anonymity to the Reuters information company, mentioned Trump is just not at present fascinated with reviving it.
That very same official claimed the Ukrainian delegation started “begging” to signal the deal after being informed to go away the White Home.
Zelenskyy took to X quickly after the assembly to thank Trump, “Congress, and the American folks”.
“Ukraine wants simply and lasting peace, and we’re working precisely for that,” he wrote.
The Ukrainian chief then appeared on US conservative TV community Fox Information, in an interview wherein he was repeatedly requested if he would apologise to Trump.
The Ukrainian chief declined to take action, however mentioned he regretted the general public spat, saying it was “not good for each side”.
“I’m undecided that we did one thing unhealthy,” Zelenskyy mentioned. “I can’t change the Ukrainian perspective to Russia. They’re killers for us.”
However when requested within the interview if the connection with Trump could possibly be salvaged, Zelenskyy replied: “after all”.
‘He ought to apologise’
A number of high-profile Trump administration officers have publicly condemned Zelenskyy and accused him of disrespecting the US president, together with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who described the assembly as a “fiasco” and questioned whether or not the Ukrainian chief actually needed peace.
“There was no want for him to go in there and develop into antagonistic,” Rubio informed CNN.
“That energetic, open undermining of efforts to result in peace is deeply irritating for everybody who’s been concerned in communications with them main as much as at present, and I believe he ought to apologise for losing our time,” he added.
Chatting with reporters exterior the White Home, high Republican Senator Lindsey Graham additionally labelled the assembly an “utter catastrophe”, as he referred to as for Zelenskyy to apologise or for Ukraine to “get somebody new” to steer the nation.
Graham – a vocal Ukraine supporter and dependable Trump ally – mentioned he suggested Zelenskyy earlier than the assembly to deal with the mineral deal and keep away from discussing safety ensures and the ceasefire with Russia.
“I talked to Zelenskyy this morning – don’t take the bait. President Trump was in an excellent temper final evening,” Graham mentioned.
“I don’t know if we will ever do enterprise with Zelenskyy once more,” he added.
Zelenskyy has discovered assist from senior Democratic Get together legislators in each homes of Congress, who’ve slammed Trump and Vance’s trade with the Ukrainian president.
Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer accused Trump of doing Putin’s “soiled work”, earlier than Home Minority Chief Hakeem Jeffries branded the spat “appalling”.
“President Trump and his administration proceed to embarrass America on the world stage,” Jeffries mentioned.
An announcement from 14 high Democratic governors additionally accused Trump and Vance of utilizing the Oval Workplace to “berate” Zelenskyy “for not trusting Vladimir Putin’s phrase”.
“People should defend our sturdy democratic values on the world stage as a substitute of undermining President Zelenskyy’s work to combat for his nation and the liberty of his folks after being invaded by Russia,” it mentioned.
Moscow backed the Trump administration quickly after the assembly, with Russia’s Ministry of International Affairs labelling Zelenskyy a “scumbag”. Viktor Orban – Hungary’s far-right, populist prime minister – additionally praised Trump for standing “bravely for peace”.
However the overwhelming worldwide response has been one in every of assist for Kyiv.
Within the hours for the reason that spat, a number of Western nations condemned the Trump administration’s conduct, together with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who mentioned his nation “will proceed to face with Ukraine”.
“Russia illegally and unjustifiably invaded Ukraine. For 3 years now, Ukrainians have fought with braveness and resilience. Their combat for democracy, freedom, and sovereignty is a combat that issues to us all,” he mentioned.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Retailer additionally labelled the trade “critical and disheartening”.
“That Trump accuses Zelenskyy of playing with World Warfare III is deeply unreasonable and an announcement I distance myself from. Norway stands with Ukraine of their wrestle for freedom,” he mentioned.
