Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky endured a shocking and humiliating ordeal in the Oval Office as he was berated by Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance in a meeting that has drawn widespread condemnation. Despite the appalling treatment, Zelensky responded with grace, thanking the US and even Trump for their support in a post on Twitter/X.
“Thank you America, thank you for your support, thank you for this visit. Thank you (President Trump), Congress, and the American people,” Zelensky wrote. “Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for that.”
The meeting, which began cordially, quickly turned hostile as Trump accused Zelensky of disrespecting the United States and issued an ultimatum: “You either make a deal, or we’re out.” Trump’s aggressive tone was echoed by Vance, who joined in the verbal assault, leaving Ukrainian Ambassador to the US Oksana Markarova visibly emotional, holding back tears as she watched the exchange.
Trump’s behavior has been met with disbelief and condemnation across the globe, with many accusing him of siding with Russian interests. In a statement, Trump claimed Zelensky had “disrespected the United States” and could return to the White House only when he was “ready for peace.” This intervention has been celebrated in Moscow, with former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev gleefully declaring that Zelensky had been “slapped down” in the Oval Office.
Labour Minister Douglas Alexander was among the first to speak out, warning that the world is now in “dangerous and uncharted waters.” He emphasized that the only beneficiary of this division is Russian President Vladimir Putin. “The only winner from the division of the West is going to be President Putin,” Alexander said.
The meeting was intended to finalize a deal on sharing Ukraine’s mineral resources, but the hostile tone derailed any progress. Trump accused Zelensky of “gambling with World War III” and insisted that Ukraine “didn’t have the cards” to win the war without US support. Zelensky, however, stood firm, warning that promises of peace from Putin could not be trusted. He described the Russian leader as a “killer and a terrorist,” asserting that there should be “no compromises with a killer.”
The fallout from the meeting has raised concerns about the future of US-Ukraine relations and the broader implications for global security. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey condemned Trump and Vance’s actions as “thuggery,” accusing them of bullying Zelensky into a deal that would effectively hand victory to Russia. “Unless the UK and Europe step up, we are facing a betrayal of Ukraine,” Davey warned.
As the world reacts to this unprecedented display of hostility, the question remains: how will this incident impact the ongoing conflict and the West’s ability to present a united front against Russian aggression?
What are your thoughts on Trump’s treatment of Zelensky and its implications for Ukraine and global diplomacy? Share your views in the comments below.
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