Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s meeting with United States President Donald Trump in Washington, DC, ended abruptly after the 2 leaders clashed in a heated trade over Russia’s conflict towards Kyiv.
On the Oval Workplace on Friday, Trump and his vp, JD Vance, berated Zelenskyy for being “disrespectful” and never thanking the US sufficient for its help.
“You’re playing with the lives of tens of millions of individuals,” Trump shouted. “You’re playing with World Warfare III, and what you’re doing could be very disrespectful to the nation – this nation.”
Zelenskyy, who was assembly with Trump to persuade him to not aspect with Russian President Vladimir Putin and talk about doable US safety ensures for Ukraine within the occasion of a ceasefire, informed Trump that there could be “no compromises with a killer on our territory”.
Because the Ukrainian chief left the White Home shortly after the verbal match, Trump took to the Reality Social social media app, which he owns, to jot down that Zelenskyy was not “prepared for peace if America is concerned”.
“He disrespected the USA of America in its cherished Oval Workplace. He can come again when he’s prepared for peace,” he added.
Zelenskyy posted on X after the assembly to thank the US for its help.
“Thanks POTUS, Congress, and the American folks. Ukraine wants simply and lasting peace, and we’re working precisely for that,” he wrote.
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Right here is how some world leaders reacted to the heated dispute:
United States
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham urged Zelenskyy to prioritise a uncommon earth minerals deal over safety ensures or a ceasefire with Russia.
“I talked to Zelenskyy this morning – don’t take the bait. President Trump was in an excellent temper final evening,” Graham stated exterior the White Home.
A vocal Ukraine supporter and Trump ally, Graham known as the assembly an “utter catastrophe” and questioned future US dealings with Zelenskyy. “I don’t know if we are able to ever do enterprise with Zelenskyy once more,” he stated, including that the Ukrainian president ought to apologise to Trump or for Ukraine to “get somebody new” to guide the nation.
High Democratic leaders condemned Trump’s dealing with of the talks. Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer accused him of doing Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “soiled work”, whereas Home Minority Chief Hakeem Jeffries known as the trade “appalling”.
“America should not reward Russian aggression,” Jeffries stated. “We should always stand with Ukraine till victory is gained.”
Russia
Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy head of the Russian Safety Council, wrote on Telegram that Trump had given Ukraine a “sturdy slap on the wrist”.
“For the primary time, Trump informed the cocaine clown the reality to his face: The Kyiv regime is taking part in with the Third World Warfare. And the ungrateful pig acquired a powerful slap on the wrist from the house owners of the pigsty. That is helpful. However it’s not sufficient – we should cease army assist to the Nazi machine,” stated Medvedev, who can be a former Russian president.
Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson for Russia’s Ministry of Overseas Affairs, additionally praised Trump for displaying “restraint” with the Ukrainian chief, whom she known as a “scumbag”.
“I believe Zelenskyy’s largest lie of all his lies was his assertion within the White Home that the Kyiv regime in 2022 was alone, with out help,” she wrote on Telegram. “How Trump and Vance held again from hitting that scumbag is a miracle of restraint.”
European Union
EU Fee President Ursula von der Leyen posted a message of solidarity with Zelenskyy, writing on X: “Your dignity honors the bravery of the Ukrainian folks. Be sturdy, be courageous, be fearless.”
The bloc’s international coverage chief Kaja Kallas, in the meantime, stated it was clear that “the free world wants a brand new chief.”
“Ukraine is Europe! We stand by Ukraine,” she stated in a social media publish.
“We are going to step up our help to Ukraine in order that they will proceed to combat again [against] the aggressor,” she added. “At this time, it grew to become clear that the free world wants a brand new chief. It’s as much as us, Europeans, to take this problem.”
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola and European Council President António Costa praised Zelenskyy, saying his “dignity honours the bravery of the Ukrainian folks”. They added: “Be sturdy, be courageous, be fearless. You might be by no means alone.”
France
French President Emmanuel Macron informed reporters in Portugal that Russia is the “aggressor” within the Ukraine conflict and Ukrainians are the “aggressed folks”.
“I believe we had been all proper to assist Ukraine and sanction Russia three years in the past, and to proceed to take action. We, that’s the USA of America, the Europeans, the Canadians, the Japanese and lots of others,” Macron stated.
“And we should thank all those that have helped and respect those that have been preventing for the reason that starting. As a result of they’re preventing for his or her dignity, their independence, their youngsters and the safety of Europe. These are easy issues, however they’re good to recollect at occasions like these, that’s all,” he added.
Germany
Outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated, “Ukraine can depend on Germany and on Europe.”
“Nobody needs peace greater than the residents of Ukraine! That’s the reason we’re collectively looking for the trail to an enduring and simply peace,” he stated.
Friedrich Merz, anticipated to be Germany’s subsequent chancellor, addressed Zelenskyy on X, stating: “We stand with Ukraine in good and in testing occasions. We must not ever confuse aggressor and sufferer on this horrible conflict.”
Johann Wadephul, a high legislator from incoming German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s social gathering, additionally backed Ukraine.
“The scenes from the White Home are surprising,” he wrote on X. “How will you stab the president of an invaded nation within the again like this? Free Europe is not going to betray Ukraine!”
United Kingdom
Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke with each Trump and Zelenskyy following their public fallout.
In accordance with a Downing Avenue assertion, Starmer stated he’s trying ahead to “internet hosting worldwide leaders on Sunday, together with President Zelenskyy”.
“He retains his unwavering help for Ukraine and is taking part in his half to discover a path ahead to an enduring peace, primarily based on sovereignty and safety for Ukraine,” the assertion stated.
Eire
Prime Minister Micheal Martin stated Eire stands with Ukraine, recalling his visits to the nation: “After I met with President Zelenskyy yesterday, I reiterated our full help for a simply, sturdy and sustained peace.”
Overseas Minister Simon Harris harassed that Ukraine isn’t liable for the conflict, stating: “Ukraine is to not blame for this conflict led to by Russia’s unlawful invasion. We stand with Ukraine.”
Canada
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated Canada will proceed to face with Ukrainians in attaining a simply and lasting peace.
“Russia illegally and unjustifiably invaded Ukraine. For 3 years now, Ukrainians have fought with braveness and resilience. Their combat for democracy, freedom, and sovereignty is a combat that issues to us all,” he wrote on X.
Overseas Minister Melanie Joly inspired NATO allies to band collectively “amidst all this unpredictability and typically even chaos”.
“We consider in supporting Ukraine. Our place has not modified. We expect Ukrainians are preventing for their very own freedoms, however they’re additionally preventing for ours,” she stated.
Norway
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere condemned the occasions within the White Home as “critical and disheartening”.
“Ukraine nonetheless wants the US’s help, and Ukraine’s safety and future are additionally vital to the US and to Europe.
“President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has sturdy help in Ukraine, broad help in Europe, and he has led his folks by means of a really demanding and brutal time, beneath assault from Russia. That Trump accuses Zelenskyy of playing with World Warfare III is deeply unreasonable and a press release I distance myself from,” he stated in a press release to Norwegian TV2.
Denmark
Overseas Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen described current occasions as a setback for Kyiv. Writing on Fb, he stated, “It’s a punch within the intestine for Ukraine. … There should be room for strong conversations – even between buddies. However when it occurs in entrance of rolling cameras like that, there is just one winner. And he sits within the Kremlin.”
Sweden
“Sweden stands with Ukraine. You aren’t solely preventing on your freedom but in addition for all of Europe’s. Slava Ukraini!”
Finland
Prime Minister Petteri Orpo reaffirmed Finland’s dedication to Ukraine, pledging “our unwavering help and work in the direction of a simply and lasting peace”.
Netherlands
Dutch Overseas Minister Caspar Veldkamp reiterated his backing for Ukraine, saying he had spoken together with his Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha. “I reiterated my full help for Ukraine: no matter it takes, for so long as it takes,” he stated.
Poland
Prime Minister Donald Tusk wrote on X: “Pricey Ukrainian buddies, you aren’t alone.”
Spain
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez additionally expressed solidarity with Ukraine.
“Ukraine, Spain stands with you,” he wrote on X.
Portugal
Prime Minister Luis Montenegro assured: “Ukraine can all the time rely on Portugal.”
Italy
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni proposed a gathering between the US and European leaders to reaffirm their bonds.
“A summit immediately is required between the USA, European states and their allies to speak frankly about how we intend to sort out in the present day’s main challenges, beginning with Ukraine, which collectively now we have defended lately,” Meloni, a right-wing chief, stated in a press release.
Her deputy in the meantime expressed help for Trump. “Purpose for PEACE, cease this conflict! Come on @realDonaldTrump”, Matteo Salvini wrote on X.
Hungary
Prime Minister Viktor Orban was among the many few voices in Europe that backed Trump.
“Sturdy males make peace, weak males make conflict. At this time President @realDonaldTrump stood bravely for peace,” he wrote on X. “Even when it was troublesome for a lot of to digest. Thanks, Mr. President!”
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Estonia
Overseas Minister Margus Tsahkna wrote on X that the one impediment to peace was President Putin’s “choice to proceed his conflict of aggression”.
“If Russia stops preventing, there might be no conflict. If Ukraine stops preventing, there might be no Ukraine. Estonia’s help to Ukraine stays unwavering. Time for Europe to step up,” Tsahkna wrote.
Lithuania
President Gitanas Nauseda expressed solidarity, writing: “Ukraine, you’ll by no means stroll alone.”
Latvia
Prime Minister Evika Silina reaffirmed her nation’s help, saying Latvia stands with Ukraine.
Czech Republic
President Petr Pavel wrote on X: “We stand with Ukraine greater than ever. Time for Europe to step up its efforts.”
Prime Minister Petr Fiala declared: “We stand with Ukraine and on the aspect of the free world.”
Slovenia
President Natasa Pirc Musar condemned the occasions within the Oval Workplace, warning they undermined worldwide legislation and diplomacy. “We stand firmly in help of Ukraine’s sovereignty. We repeat, Russia is the aggressor. It’s time for Europe to take the lead on the trail to peace in Ukraine,” wrote Musar on X.
Moldova
President Maia Sandu wrote on X: “The reality is straightforward. Russia invaded Ukraine. Russia is the aggressor. Ukraine defends its freedom – and ours. We stand with Ukraine.”
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Luxembourg
Prime Minister Luc Frieden assured Ukraine of his nation’s help, saying: “You might be preventing on your freedom and a rules-based worldwide order.”
Croatia
Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic stated Croatia understands Ukraine’s battle, noting: “Croatia is aware of from its personal expertise that solely a simply peace can final.” He added that Ukraine wants a peace that ensures “sovereignty, territorial integrity and a safe Europe”.
Romania
Romania’s interim President Ilie Bolojan harassed Ukraine’s significance to European safety, stating: “The safety of Ukraine is essential for the safety of Europe. All of us want to face collectively to combat for our values, freedom, and peace.”
Austria
Austria’s caretaker Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg reaffirmed his help for Ukraine, whereas the nation’s international ministry declared: “Russia is the aggressor and we share Ukraine’s dedication to a complete, simply and lasting peace!”
Belgium
Prime Minister Bart De Wever pledged solidarity with Ukraine, stating: “We stand behind Ukraine and the Ukrainian folks of their historic combat to defend themselves towards an unprovoked Russian aggression. Their combat is our combat. United we’re sturdy.”
Australia
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated in a press release: “We are going to proceed to face with Ukraine for so long as it takes, as a result of that is the battle of a democratic nation versus an authoritarian regime led by Vladimir Putin, who clearly has imperialistic designs, not simply on Ukraine, however all through that area.”
New Zealand
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon stated his nation stays “steadfast in its help for Ukraine because it defends itself in a conflict that Russia began”, including that Ukraine isn’t solely defending its sovereignty but in addition upholding worldwide legislation.
Amnesty Worldwide
Amnesty Worldwide harassed that peace in Ukraine should be constructed on justice for these liable for conflict crimes.
“Nothing that was stated in the present day within the Oval Workplace adjustments the information: Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine was an act of aggression and a manifest violation of the UN Constitution,” the rights group stated in a social media publish.
It added that “sustainable peace in Ukraine is barely doable by means of justice and accountability for all crimes beneath worldwide legislation dedicated since 2014.”
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