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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky left the White House early after a meeting between himself and US President Donald Trump descended into a tense shouting match.
The two leaders were supposed to take part in bilateral talks behind closed doors to discuss a rare minerals deal, but the talks were cancelled after a stormy fallout in front of reporters. Following the heated exchange, a joint press conference between the two men was cancelled and the deal they were supposed to sign, shelved.
In a statement posted to his social media platform Truth Social, Trump wrote: “I have determined that President Zelensky 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.”
In the tense remarks which have been described as “extraordinary,” Mr Trump told Zelensky: “You’re right now not in a very good position. You don’t have the cards right now. You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people. “You’re gambling with World War Three, and what you’re doing is very disrespectful to the country that’s backed you [far more than a lot of people said they should have].”
Vice President JD Vance interjected: “Have you said thank you once this entire meeting? In this entire meeting, have you said thank you? […] Offer some words of appreciation for the United States of America and the President who’s trying to save your country.”
“Your country is in big trouble,” Trump added, to which Zelensky replied: “I know.”
“You’re not winning this,” the US President added. “You have a damn good chance of coming out ok because of us.”
“Mr President,” Zelensky said. “We are staying in our country. From the very beginning of the war, we’ve been alone. And we are thankful.”
“If you didn’t have our military equipment, this war would have been over in two weeks,” Trump bit back.
Appearing to troll Trump over his demand for gratitude, Zelensky wrote on X: “Thank you America, thank you for your support, thank you for this visit. Thank you @POTUS, Congress, and the American people.
Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for that.”
Watch the press conference in full here:
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