US Vice President JD Vance (right) speaks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (left) as President Donald Trump listens in the Oval Office at the White House on Friday. (AP pic)
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump erupted at Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday, angrily sending the Ukrainian leader out of the White House after an extraordinary Oval Office meltdown because he was “not ready” for peace with Russia.
The abrupt exit, cutting short what was meant to be a day of Ukraine-US diplomacy, meant Zelensky left without a deal for joint development of his country’s minerals resources that was to be part of a post-war recovery in a potential US-brokered truce.
Not Alone
US allies in Europe – increasingly worried that Trump will force Ukraine into a deal effectively handing victory to President Vladimir Putin – quickly expressed support for Zelensky.
Compromise Row
The meltdown came after Trump said Ukraine will have to make “compromises” in a truce with Russia, which has occupied swaths of Ukraine, destroying cities and towns along the way.
Trump’s ‘Numerous’ Putin Calls
The leaders of France and the UK also came to the White House this week, seeking to persuade Trump not to take the Russian line and to bolster US support for Ukraine in any future truce.
Trump’s ‘Numerous’ Putin Calls
Trump has alarmed Kyiv and European allies with his abrupt U-turn in US policy, casting himself as a mediator between Putin and Zelensky and refusing to condemn the Russian invasion.
Conclusion
The sudden collapse in relations between Kyiv and Washington has left many unanswered questions, including what the implications are for the future of Ukraine-US relations and the potential for a truce between Ukraine and Russia.
FAQs
Q: What led to the collapse in relations between Kyiv and Washington?
A: The sudden eruption in the Oval Office, with Trump and Vice President JD Vance shouting at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, has left many in the dark about the future of Ukraine-US relations.
Q: What was the outcome of the meeting?
A: Zelensky was abruptly sent out of the White House, and the joint press conference was cancelled, leaving the proposed minerals deal unsigned.
Q: How has the international community reacted to the news?
A: US allies in Europe have expressed support for Zelensky, while Russia has welcomed the collapse in relations between Kyiv and Washington.