Pres. Trump, Pres. Zelenskyy argue in Oval Office
Ukrainian President departs without progress towards peace or deals
WASHINGTON (Gray DC) -An unprecedented verbal fight in the Oval Office between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
A planned photo-op involving President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelensky in the Oval Office devolved into a verbal confrontation – leaving in doubt any possibility of soon ending Russia’s war with Ukraine.
Just days after the three-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, President Zelensky traveled to Washington to sign a rare minerals deal. But that signing never happened.
Vice President JD Vance called out the Ukrainian president while the television cameras and radio recorders captured it all.
“Mr. President, with respect, I think it’s disrespectful for you to come to the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the American media.”
President Trump and Vice President JD Vance berated Zelensky, and Zelensky fired back.
“First of all, during the war, everybody has problems, even you. But you have no solution and don’t feel now, but you will feel it in the future.”
President Trump was visibly upset, “You don’t know that unless you go to war. Don’t tell us what we’re going to feel. We’re trying to solve a problem. Don’t tell us what we’re going to feel.”
Shortly after the media left the Oval Office, President Trump wrote on social media, “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.”
Within minutes of the meeting Zelensky soon departed in a black SUV the West Wing and issued his own statement on social media, thanking the United States and thanking President Trump.
Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries blamed Trump for the unprecedented Oval Office spat, writing in statement: “President Trump and his administration continue to embarrass America on the world stage.”
Republican South Carolina Senator Lindsay Graham, meanwhile, put the blame squarely on Zelensky.
“I talked to Zelensky this morning. Don’t take the bait. President Trump was in a very good mood last night. Somebody asked me, am I embarrassed about Trump? I have never been more proud of the president.”
The combative exchange in the Oval Office has put in doubt any effort to soon end the war in Ukraine. It’s also unclear how much military and political support the Trump administration is prepared to provide to Ukraine in the coming months. Departing for Mar-A-Lago, President Trump demanded an immediate ceasefire, again reiterating that all he wants is peace, but not discussing the hard realities of the path to peace.
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