Donald Trump turfs ‘disrespectful’ Zelensky out of White House as peace talks collapse
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was turfed out of the White House without a deal being reached after a sickening display of bullying by Donald Trump.
A planned joint press conference was cancelled as petulant Mr Trump claimed Mr Zelensky was “not ready for peace”. The US commander-in-chief has been roundly condemned for his vile diatribe, assisted by Vice President JD Vance – although the Kremlin has reacted with joy.
Ukrainian ambassador to the US Oksana Markarova was seen holding back tears as the Republican duo rounded on Mr Zelensky. Trump’s behaviour appears to have thrown out hopes that a peace deal to end the war started by Vladimir Putin can be reached.
Keir Starmer called both leaders on Friday night, Downing Street said, and expressed “unwavering support for Ukraine” as European allies rallied around President Zelensky.
The clash has dealt a hammer blow to the PM’s hopes of progress after an upbeat Oval Office meeting with Mr Trump on Thursday. A planned summit with European leaders on Sunday in London will now prove pivotal for any hopes of salvaging peace talks.
A No 10 spokeswoman said: “The Prime Minister has tonight spoken to both President Trump and President Zelensky. He retains unwavering support for Ukraine, and is doing all he can to find a path forward to a lasting peace based on sovereignty and security for Ukraine.
“The Prime Minister looks forward to hosting international leaders on Sunday including President Zelensky.”
Earlier, the US President said in a statement: “We had a very meaningful meeting in the White House today. Much was learned that could never be understood without conversation under such fire and pressure. It’s amazing what goes out through emotion, and I have determined that President Zelensky 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.”
Anger erupted in a meeting between Mr Trump and Mr Zelensky – as the US President accused his Ukrainian counterpart of “gambling with World War III”. In fiery exchanges in the Oval Office, the erratic Republican berated his guest, telling him he “didn’t have the cards” to win the war without the United States. And he issued Ukraine’s President with an ultimatum: “You either make a deal, or we’re out.”
But Mr Zelensky warned Trump promises of peace from Vladimir Putin could not be trusted. He called the Russian leader a killer and a terrorist and told Trump there should be “no compromises with a killer.”
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Mr Zelensky was expected to sign a deal when he visited the White House today on sharing Ukraine‘s mineral resources. While it started cordially, the tone of the meeting soon turned hostile, with Mr Trump accusing Mr Zelensky of being “disrespectful” for pushing for security guarantees. Mr Zelensky warned the US would “feel it in the future” if it did not continue to support Ukraine.
“Don’t tell us what we’re going to feel. We’re trying to solve a problem,” Mr Trump hit back. “Because you’re in no position to dictate that. We’re going to feel very good and very strong.”
Raising his voice, the US President blasted: “You’re not in a good position. You don’t have the cards. With us, you have the cards.” Mr Zelensky replied: “I’m not playing cards. I’m very serious. I’m a President in a war.”
“You’ve got to be more thankful,” Trump seethed. “I’ve empowered you to be a tough guy. I don’t think you’d be a tough guy without the United States. 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. I think it’s not going to be pretty, but you’ll fight it out.” He added: “You’re gambling with millions of people seeing you gambling with World War Three. You’re gambling with World War Three.”
Vice President JD Vance accused President Zelensky of being on a “propaganda tour” adding: “Mr President, with respect, I think it’s disrespectful for coming to the Oval Office and trying to litigate this in front of the media.”
And Mr Vance asked Mr Zelensky: “Have you said ‘thank you’ once?” – before noting that he’d visited Pennsylvania in October to campaign for “the opposition” – Mr Trump’s Democrat rival Kamala Harris.
Earlier in the meeting, Mr Zelensky handed Mr Trump a folder of photos showing men and women killed by Russian forces in a bid to demonstrate the horrors of Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
“Even during the war there are rules,” Ukraine’s President told his American counterpart in the Oval Office. “These guys, they don’t have rules.” Mr Trump denied being aligned with Mr Putin, telling a journalist: “I’m aligned with America and I’m aligned with the world.
“Let me tell you, Putin went through a hell of a lot with me,” Mr Trump said, referring to claims of corruption involving him and Russia that dogged his first administration. President Trump has repeatedly questioned whether Ukraine was to blame for its own invasion – sharing blame with his predecessor Joe Biden for provoking Russia to invade by pushing for the country to be admitted to NATO.
And he has branded Mr Zelensky a “dictator” in posts on social media – though he partially walked back that claim in the Oval Office yesterday. During the meeting it emerged that a reporter from Russia’s state-run TASS news agency had been allowed into the Oval Office by mistake. He was escorted out when he was discovered.
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