Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s meeting with former US President Donald Trump in Washington took an unexpected turn on Friday, as a heated exchange erupted over the ongoing war with Russia.
The tense Oval Office encounter saw Trump and his running mate, JD Vance, berate Zelenskyy for what they termed as “disrespect” towards the United States, accusing him of not expressing enough gratitude for Washington’s military and financial aid.
“You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people,” Trump reportedly told Zelenskyy. “You’re gambling with World War III, and what you’re doing is very disrespectful to this country.”
Zelenskyy, who had traveled to the US in an effort to secure security guarantees in the event of a ceasefire, pushed back against Trump’s comments, making it clear that Ukraine would not negotiate with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Moscow’s terms.
“There will be no compromises with a killer on our territory,” Zelenskyy asserted.
Shortly after the exchange, the Ukrainian president left the White House. Trump later took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to claim that Zelenskyy was not “ready for peace if America is involved.”
“He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for peace,” Trump wrote.
Zelenskyy responded with a post on X, formerly Twitter, thanking the US for its support while reaffirming Ukraine’s commitment to “just and lasting peace.”
Russia hails Trump’s tough stance
Reactions poured in swiftly, with Russia seizing on the moment as a diplomatic victory. Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of Russia’s Security Council, described Trump’s remarks as a “strong slap on the wrist” for Ukraine.
“For the first time, Trump told the cocaine clown the truth to his face: The Kyiv regime is playing with the Third World War,” Medvedev wrote on Telegram.
Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for Russia’s Foreign Ministry, also praised Trump’s handling of the meeting, calling Zelenskyy a “scumbag” and claiming he had lied about Ukraine’s international support.
European leaders rally behind Ukraine
In contrast, European leaders condemned Trump’s remarks and reaffirmed their commitment to Kyiv.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed solidarity with Zelenskyy, writing on X: “Your dignity honors the bravery of the Ukrainian people. Be strong, be brave, be fearless.”
Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, went a step further, arguing that the world needed a new leader to champion Ukraine’s cause.
“Today, it became clear that the free world needs a new leader,” Kallas wrote. “It’s up to us, Europeans, to take this challenge.”
French President Emmanuel Macron reiterated that Russia was the aggressor in the war, while German Chancellor Olaf Scholz assured Ukraine that “Germany and Europe” would continue to stand by its side.
“The scenes from the White House are shocking,” said Johann Wadephul, a senior German lawmaker. “How can you stab the president of an invaded country in the back like this? Free Europe will not betray Ukraine.”
Mixed reactions from UK, Canada, and Australia
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke with both Trump and Zelenskyy following their public fallout, later stating that the UK remained committed to Ukraine’s sovereignty and security.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reiterated that Ukraine’s fight against Russian aggression was “a fight that matters to us all.”
Meanwhile, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his country would support Ukraine “for as long as it takes.”
Diverging views in Eastern Europe
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk assured Ukraine that it was “not alone,” while Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna warned that “if Ukraine stops fighting, there will be no Ukraine.”
However, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban struck a different tone, praising Trump’s approach.
“Strong men make peace, weak men make war,” Orban wrote on X. “Today President Trump stood bravely for peace.”
Turning point for Ukraine’s diplomatic future?
The dramatic Oval Office confrontation has raised fresh concerns about the future of US support for Ukraine, particularly as Trump remains the leading candidate in the upcoming presidential election.
With divisions deepening between key Western allies, analysts say the fallout from this meeting could shape the trajectory of the war in the months ahead.
