Volodymyr Zelensky has refused to apologise for his clash with US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance in the Oval Office, asserting that the relationship can still be mended.
The Ukrainian president exited the White House after a meeting deteriorated when Vance accused him of “disrespecting” the US. Trump echoed Vance’s sentiment, declaring that Kyiv was “gambling with World War Three.”
In a subsequent interview with Fox News, Zelensky stated, "I'm not sure we did something bad. I think maybe some things we have to discuss out of media.”
The discussions were intended to culminate in a vital minerals deal, yet tensions flared when Zelensky repeatedly raised concerns about US security guarantees in the context of a future peace agreement with Russia. As a result, he left without signing the deal. A senior White House official confirmed later that Trump is not interested in reviving the mineral agreement.
In the aftermath of the tense exchange, European leaders have rallied to support Zelensky. UK Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer expressed his “unwavering support” for Ukraine, noting he had spoken with both Zelensky and Trump by phone.
Sir Bill Browder, who was once the largest foreign investor in Russia before being expelled by Vladimir Putin, claimed that Trump intentionally sabotaged the meeting to save face after recognizing that the Russian president is not committed to a peace deal.
“It’s been obvious for weeks that Putin has no interest in a peace deal,” Browder stated. “The easiest way for Trump to save face from his promise to end the war is to blow up his meeting with Zelensky and then blame him for the breakdown in negotiations. That’s exactly what happened yesterday. Now the onus is on the UK and the EU to support Ukraine because the US will back out for sure.”
Despite Putin’s suggestions of openness to peace talks, he continues to impose demands that undermine any realistic agreement, including denying security guarantees for Ukraine and requiring Kyiv to relinquish territory that Russia does not even occupy.
Following the heated exchange, Zelensky urged the global community to remain attentive to Ukraine's plight. He shared a video on Telegram of a meeting in Washington with Ukrainian citizens, emphasizing: “It is very important for us that Ukraine is heard and that no one forgets about it, neither during the war nor after. It is important for people in Ukraine to know that they are not alone, that their interests are represented in every country, in every corner of the world.
“Thank you for your support in this difficult time, for all your efforts for the sake of Ukraine and Ukrainians and for your help—not only diplomatic and financial but also political and prayerful.”
0 Comments