The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky has admitted his clash with Donald Trump “was not good” after the US President slammed him as “disrespectful”.
The Ukrainian leader also doubled down on his fight against Putin saying there would be no diplomacy without security guarantees in an interview with newsmen.
A brutal three-way shouting match earlier erupted between Zelensky, Trump and Vice President JD Vance in an historic Oval Office row with talks now having fallen apart.
Zelensky later thanked Trump, Congress, and the American people for their support and said he was “ready for peace”, in his post White House interview.
Despite the fierce clash, Zelensky said his relationship with the President could be fixed but added he wanted Trump “more at our side” after the commander-in-chief said he wanted to be in the middle.
Zelensky left the White House with no minerals deal after a scheduled press conference was cancelled following the shouting match.
Trump and Vance accused Zelensky of not being “thankful” for America’s military support and said the Ukrainian must cut a deal with Vladimir Putin.
The trio sat forward in their seats, pointed at each other, and threw their arms around as the shouting erupted when Zelensky pushed back.
Trump yelled at Zelensky: “You’re gambling with millions of people seeing you gambling with World War Three. You’re gambling with World War Three.”
He raged: “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.
“People are dying … you’re running low on soldiers.
“You’re not in a good position. You don’t have the cards. Once we sign that deal, you’re in a much better position.
“But you’re not acting at all thankful, and that’s not a nice thing. I’ll be honest. That’s not a nice thing.”
Vance said: “Have you said ‘thank you’ once in this entire meeting, in this entire meeting have you said ‘thank you’?”
In a follow-up statement, Trump told Zelensky: “He can come back when he is ready for Peace.
“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,” Trump wrote.
“I don’t want advantage, I want PEACE.”
Zelensky had been scheduled to have lunch with Trump and both leaders were going to sign a minerals deal during a joint news conference.
Russian tyrant Vladimir Putin will be watching with glee as the momentous bust up could jeopardise the entire war effort.
The Irish Sun
