The much-anticipated meeting between former US President Donald Trump and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky took an unexpected turn as a heated verbal exchange erupted in the Oval Office. The clash, which involved sharp words and tense moments, has once again placed the US-Ukraine relationship under scrutiny.
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Trump-Zelensky Meeting Turns Confrontational
Minutes into the meeting, Donald Trump, known for his direct approach, reportedly told President Zelensky, “Either make a deal, or we are out.” His statement came as a shock, setting the tone for what became an intense discussion about the ongoing war in Ukraine and US support for the country.
“You are in big trouble… you are not winning this,” Trump added, making his stance clear.
Zelensky, however, did not back down. With a firm response, he stated, “We are in our own country, and we have stayed strong all this time. We have even thanked you for it (your support).”
The tension escalated further when US Vice President JD Vance chimed in, attempting to mediate but instead adding fuel to the fire. When Zelensky asked him to refrain from “talking loudly,” Vance responded by saying that diplomacy was the only way forward. “Diplomacy is needed to end this war,” he insisted.
Zelensky, visibly frustrated, shot back, “What kind of diplomacy?” The war-torn nation’s leader was clearly not willing to accept a quick-fix solution. Vance, in return, accused him of being “disrespectful” in the president’s office.
A High-Stakes Argument Unfolds
The confrontation took a sharp turn when Trump criticized Ukraine for its dependence on US military support. “We have given you $350 billion, military equipment, and a lot of backing. If you didn’t have our military aid, this war would have been over in two weeks,” Trump stated.
Zelensky immediately countered, suggesting that Trump was echoing Russian President Vladimir Putin. “Yes-yes, wouldn’t have lasted even two or three days—I heard that from Putin too,” he remarked.
Trump, taken aback by Zelensky’s resilience, remarked, “It is going to be very hard to do business like this.” Journalists present in the room captured the moment, with some visibly stunned by the fiery exchange.
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No Ceasefire Agreement Reached
In an attempt to regain control, Vice President JD Vance stepped in, stating, “There are disagreements. Let’s go litigate those disagreements instead of fighting it out in front of the American media when you are wrong. We know you (Zelensky) are wrong.”
This statement further irritated Zelensky, who pointed out that previous US administrations had promised continued support. Trump quickly dismissed this by taking a jab at Joe Biden, saying, “That was a guy named Biden, who was not a smart person.” The remark is expected to deepen divisions between the Republican and Democratic parties.
Zelensky, appearing momentarily shocked, retorted, “But that was your President,” emphasizing that US support for Ukraine had been bipartisan before Trump’s administration took a different stance.
Trump continued to highlight his contributions, stating, “I gave you javelins. Obama gave you sheets. You have got to be more thankful to the person who actually helped.”
Towards the end of the conversation, Trump delivered a final blow: “Let me be very straight with you—you do not have the cards. With us, you have the cards, and without us, you do not have any cards.”
Trump’s Statement After the Meeting
Following the intense discussion, Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, where he wrote: “I have determined that President Zelensky is not ready for Peace if America is involved.”
“He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for Peace,” Trump added.
With the meeting ending on a sour note, the future of US-Ukraine relations remains uncertain. The absence of a ceasefire agreement means the war in Ukraine is likely to continue without immediate resolution.
Conclusion
The high-profile meeting between Trump, Zelensky, and JD Vance was supposed to pave the way for potential peace talks. However, the heated debate has instead raised more questions than answers.
Will the US continue its support for Ukraine, or will Trump’s “deal or nothing” stance change the course of the war? The world watches closely as the conflict and diplomatic tensions unfold.
