By Reena Bhardwaj
Washington, DC [US], March 1 (ANI): In a dramatic encounter at the White House, U.S. President Donald Trump accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of “disrespecting America” following a heated confrontation in the Oval Office. The showdown, which took place minutes before a planned press conference, was witnessed by White House officials, the media, and other Ukrainian officials.
Trump, in a post on Truth Social shortly after the meeting, 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.”
The two leaders were scheduled to give a joint press conference at 1 p.m. following the signing of a framework mineral agreement. However, the event was abruptly canceled due to the confrontation, and Zelenskyy was seen leaving the West Wing two hours and 20 minutes after he arrived.
The meeting had started with warm exchanges, with Trump initially calling Zelensky a “great guy.” But tensions escalated when Zelensky attempted to explain Russian President Vladimir Putin’s lack of diplomacy in a heated exchange with Vice President JD Vance, which was visible to the press.
Vance criticized Zelensky for “litigating” in front of the world’s press, calling him “disrespectful” for participating in photo-ops with Democrats during the 2024 campaign. Trump raised his voice and labeled Zelensky “disrespectful,” stressing the U.S. had provided invaluable support to Ukraine in its war with Russia. “You don’t have the cards,” Trump told Zelensky. “You are either going to make a deal, or we’re out, and if we are out, you will fight it out. I don’t think it’s going to be pretty.”
Trump continued, “If you didn’t have our military equipment, this war would have been over in two weeks. You have to be thankful. You don’t have the cards. You are buried there… You should be more thankful because with us, you have the cards, but without us, you don’t have any.”
Zelensky responded by highlighting Russia’s occupation of large parts of Ukraine since 2014 and Putin’s lack of respect for ceasefires. “During 2014, nobody stopped him,” Zelensky said. “He just occupied and took… What kind of diplomacy are you speaking about?”
Vice President Vance then sharply rebuked Zelensky, telling him it was “disrespectful” to attack the U.S. administration in the Oval Office while it was trying to help Ukraine avoid destruction. Trump, for his part, said he was not aligned with Putin but was simply trying to broker a peace deal. “I’m not aligned with Putin. I’m aligned with the United States of America and for the good of the world… The hatred that Zelensky has for Putin is very tough for me to make a deal with.”
Trump made it clear that Ukraine’s position in negotiations could worsen without U.S. support. “You are gambling with the lives of millions of people. You are gambling with World War Three, and what you’re doing is very disrespectful to the country.”
At one point, Trump emphasized that Zelensky needed to recognize the immense help the U.S. had given to Ukraine, saying, “We gave you USD 350 billion… We gave you military equipment, and your men are brave, but they had to use our military.”
In closing, Trump issued a firm ultimatum to Zelenskyy: “You are either going to make a deal, or we’re out. And if we are out, you’ll have to fight it out. I don’t think it’s going to be pretty.”
This explosive exchange led to the cancellation of the scheduled press conference, and Zelensky left the White House visibly grim after a tense 2-hour meeting.
