Washington: An Oval Office meeting with President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy devolved Friday afternoon into a hostile confrontation, as Trump threatened Zelenskyy to make a deal with Russia, or “we’re out,” and Vance accused the Ukrainian leader of being “disrespectful.”
“You’re gambling with World War III. And what you’re doing is very disrespectful to the country — this country,” Trump said at one point.
The hostile exchange underscored the tension that has emerged between the United States and Ukraine — along with many of its European allies — over the tougher line that Trump has taken toward the country since coming into office. He has called Zelenskyy a “dictator” and said that Ukraine, not Russia, started the war, NBC news reported.
The tension in the Oval Office began after Vance said that the path to peace between Russia and Ukraine is diplomacy. Zelenskyy disagreed, noting that Russia had broken agreements with his government in the past.
“He killed our people, and he didn’t exchange prisoners,” Zelenskyy said about Russian President Vladimir Putin. “What kind of diplomacy, JD, you are speaking about? What do you mean?” Zelenskyy said.
“I’m talking about the kind of diplomacy that’s going to end the destruction of your country,” Vance shot back, adding, “I think it’s disrespectful for you to come into the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the American media right now.”
The heated exchanges came ahead of what was an anticipated rare minerals deal signing between the two countries, and as Trump pressures Ukraine to end the war.
When Vance told Zelenskyy that Ukraine has “manpower problems” in recruiting troops, Zelenskyy challenged Vance, noting he had never even been to his country.
“I’ve actually watched and seen the stories,” Vance responded. “And I know what happens is you bring people, you bring them on a propaganda tour, Mr. President.”
“Do you think that it’s respectful to come to the Oval Office of the United States of America and attack the administration that is trying to prevent the destruction of your country?” he added.
Zelenskyy said that everyone has “problems” during the war and suggested that the US doesn’t feel the effects of the war because of the “nice ocean” between the two countries. He said the U.S. may not feel the effects now, but added, “You will feel it in the future.”
“You don’t know that,” Trump retorted. “You don’t know that. Don’t tell us what we’re going to feel. We’re trying to solve a problem. Don’t tell us what we’re gonna feel, because you’re in no position to dictate that. You’re in no position to dictate what we’re going to feel. We’re going to feel very good.”
“You don’t have the cards right now,” Trump said, as Zelenskyy continued to interject and disagree.
“With us, you start having cards. Right now, you don’t have your playing cards, you’re playing cards — you’re gambling with the lives of millions of people. “You’re gambling with World War III. You’re gambling with World War III.”
“Have you said thank you once, this entire meeting? No, in this entire meeting, have you said thank you?” Vance said.
“We are thankful,” Zelenskyy said.
“You have to be thankful,” Trump added.
“I’ve empowered you to be a tough guy,” Trump said. “And I don’t think you’d be a tough guy without the United States. And your people are very brave, but you’re either going to make a deal or we’re out, and if we’re out, you’ll fight it out.”
Zelenskyy said Ukraine wants the war to end but must have security assurances along with any sort of ceasefire agreement.
Amid the chaos, a reporter asked — what if Russia violates a ceasefire?
“What if anything?” Trump responded. “What if a bomb drops on your head right now? Okay?”
Zelenskyy’s visit was expected to focus in large part on a potential deal for the U.S. to access Ukraine’s rare-earth minerals, which are used to make a variety of tech products.
