Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's meeting with his counterpart Donald Trump at the White House turned into a disaster, as the two leaders engaged in an unusual war of words in front of the world's media at the White House. Zelensky had requested the meeting to convince the new president not to side with Russia, but instead faced humiliating attacks from Trump and his deputy J. D. Vance.
In a full display of America's new face, Trump and Vance accused Zelensky of disrespecting the United States and blaming him for provoking World War III....Tons rose when Vance stressed the need for a diplomatic solution to the war, while Zelensky countered that Putin was not trusted and that Vance had never visited Ukraine.
"Don't tell us what to feel. We're trying to solve a problem. Don't tell us what to feel...", Trump said, among other things.
"I'm not telling you...", Zelensky replied.
"You are not in a position to dictate to us what we will feel. We will feel very good and very powerful. You are in very bad positions and you have put yourself in these positions. You do not have the cards in your hand right now. You are playing cards...", Trump told him.
"I'm not playing cards," Zelensky told him.
"I'm very serious. You're risking the lives of millions of people, you're playing with World War III... What you're doing is totally disrespectful to this country," Trump told him.
"I have all the respect for your country," Zelensky said.
"Did you ever say thank you in this meeting? You went to Pennsylvania and campaigned for our rivals in October. It's good to express some gratitude for the United States of America and the President who is trying to save your country," Vance told Zelensky.
Trump threatened to cut off support for Kiev. "Either you accept the deal or we abandon you. I don't think it's going to be a nice thing," Trump said.
Zelensky openly challenged Trump for his soft approach to Putin, urging him not to compromise with a murderer. After the unprecedented confrontation, Zelensky left the White House early without signing the much-touted agreement on the joint exploitation of Ukrainian minerals.
The clash also risks undermining efforts by European leaders to persuade Putin to offer security guarantees to Ukraine, even though he has refused to send US troops to Ukrainian soil.
A number of European leaders and officials rushed to support Zelensky, saying he was not alone. Meanwhile, Russia has been rubbing its hands in the spectacle. Former President Medvedev said that Trump had told Zelensky the truth, and that the latter had received a brutal beating in the Oval Office. (A2 Televizion)
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