Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed hope for repairing relations with the U.S. after a heated confrontation with President Trump, who accused him of failing to seek peace with Russia. During the Oval Office meeting, tensions escalated as Trump and Vice President JD Vance berated Zelensky for not being “thankful” and for rejecting their proposed truce. European leaders quickly voiced support for Ukraine, fearing a shift in U.S. policy under Trump. Zelensky emphasized Ukraine’s need for U.S. assistance, refusing to back down on compromises with Russia, while Trump suggested he could mediate between the two sides.
Washington:
Volodymyr Zelensky stated on Friday that his relationship with the United States could still be mended after President Donald Trump erupted in anger during a White House encounter, accusing the Ukrainian leader of not seeking peace with Russia. “Of course,” Zelensky responded in a Fox News interview when asked whether his ties with Trump could be restored.
He emphasized that US-Ukrainian relations encompass “more than two presidents,” expressing that Ukraine desperately requires Washington’s assistance in its battle against Russia’s significantly larger and more advanced military.
“It will be challenging without your support,” Zelensky remarked on Fox, which is Trump’s preferred news outlet.
Zelensky extended an olive branch just hours after the extraordinary scene in the Oval Office, where years of the US’s commitment to support Ukraine’s resistance against the Russian invasion unraveled in a contentious exchange.
This dispute prompted European leaders to quickly express solidarity with Ukraine after Zelensky was forced to exit the White House prematurely and without finalizing a crucial minerals-sharing agreement deemed essential for a US-mediated ceasefire.
During the heated dispute, broadcast across US and international media, Trump and Vice President JD Vance confronted Zelensky, accusing him of ingratitude and rejecting their proposed terms for a truce.
“You don’t have the cards right now,” Trump asserted. “You’re either going to strike a deal or we’re withdrawing, and if we withdraw, you’ll have to fight it out, and I don’t think that’s going to end well.”
Zelensky left soon after, with Trump posting on social media that “he can return when he is prepared for peace.”
US media reported that senior Trump officials instructed Zelensky to leave.
Later on Friday, Trump informed reporters that Zelensky was “overplaying his hand” and should agree to cease hostilities “immediately.”
However, Zelensky declined to apologize, telling Fox News, “I’m not convinced that we did anything wrong.” Nonetheless, he expressed a wish that the confrontation had not occurred in front of the press.
– ‘Not alone’ –
US allies in Europe, already concerned that Trump might pressure Ukraine into conceding victory to Russian President Vladimir Putin, swiftly rallied behind Zelensky.
“You are not alone,” declared Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, fresh off a visit to the White House, mentioned that he had spoken to both Trump and Zelensky by phone following the altercation, vowing “unwavering support” for Kyiv.
Far-right Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni urged for an immediate summit involving the United States, Europe, and their allies concerning Ukraine.
Top US Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer remarked that Trump and Vance were “doing Putin’s dirty work.”
Meanwhile, Russia welcomed the breakdown in relations between Kyiv and Washington.
Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev labeled Zelensky an “insolent pig” who had received “a proper slap down in the Oval Office.”
Trump’s Republican Party echoed Russian sentiments by blaming Zelensky.
Ukraine appeared united in its support for Zelensky, with the military chief promising to stand with him while the foreign minister commended his “bravery.”
– Compromise with ‘killer’? –
The dramatic outburst followed Trump’s assertion that Ukraine must make “compromises” in negotiations with Russia, which has taken control of significant parts of the country.
Zelensky insisted there should be “no compromises with a killer on our territory.”
When he noted that past Western-supported peace initiatives had failed to deter Russian aggression, Vance interrupted and labeled him “disrespectful.”
The situation escalated into Trump and Vance loudly reprimanding the Ukrainian leader, who sat uncomfortably as they spoke over him.
– Trump’s ‘numerous’ Putin calls –
Trump has unsettled Kyiv and European allies with his sudden reversal in US policy, presenting himself as a mediator between Putin and Zelensky while refusing to denounce the Russian invasion.
In the Oval Office, he claimed to have “spoken on numerous occasions” to Putin — far more than what has been disclosed publicly.
Last week, Trump referred to Zelensky as a “dictator” and expressed confidence in Putin to “keep his word” regarding a ceasefire.
Trump informed Zelensky that, as a mediator, he could not openly criticize one of the key parties involved.
Nevertheless, during a conversation with Fox News, Zelensky stated he wished Trump was “truly more on our side.”
In the meantime, Russia’s offensive against Ukraine continued.
According to Kyiv, Russian infantry were storming the Ukrainian border from the Kursk region on Friday, near areas that had been seized by Ukrainian forces last summer.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)