Zelenskyy Oval Office meeting erupts into argument
- An Oval Office meeting between United States President Donald Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy has devolved into a shouting match, as Trump threatens: “You’re either going to make a deal or we’re out.”
- Zelenskyy, meanwhile, contradicted Trump, calling Russian President Vladimir Putin a “killer and terrorist”.
Republicans hail Trump’s attack on Zelenskyy
Several members of the US president’s cabinet as well as Republican lawmakers have hailed Trump’s exchange with the Ukrainian president as a sign of strong “American leadership”.
“American leadership is back — in the Oval Office — and on the world stage. FEARLESS. BOLD. RELENTLESS. We will save America,” Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins wrote on X.
“Thank you @POTUS for standing strong for America while working to end the killing abroad,” Interior Secretary Doug Burgum also wrote.
Republican Congressman Ralph Norman also said the exchange demonstrated “strong leadership that is ensuring we put the American people FIRST”.
Norman thanked Trump and Vance for “standing up for our nation”.
Polish prime minister says Ukraine is ‘not alone’
Donald Tusk takes to social media to offer a message of support to Zelenskyy and Ukraine after the tense White House meeting.
“Dear Zelenskyy, dear Ukrainian friends, you are not alone,” said Tusk.
Zelenskyy thanks Trump, says Ukraine ‘needs just and lasting peace’
The Ukrainian leader has made his first public comments since leaving the White House following the extraordinary exchange with Trump.
He thanked Trump, the US Congress and the American people for their support.
“Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for that,” Zelenskyy wrote.
Pride in Ukraine over Zelenskyy’s exchange with Trump
The general consensus among [Ukrainian] chat groups and social media is a general applauding of Zelenskyy’s actions and comments in the White House.
There’s a general feeling that Zelenskyy was very brave, he stuck to his guns, and there’s a sense of pride about how he behaved.
I think it’s fair to say that people would have been shocked to see how put-upon Zelenskyy was in that press conference. It was very telling that there was a period of time where Zelenskyy was asked two or three questions and he was not actually given a chance to answer.
There was a feeling of great uncertainty going into this press conference.
Macron says Russia is ‘aggressor’, not Ukraine
The French president has reiterated his support for Zelenskyy and Ukraine following the shocking scenes from Trump’s meeting with the Ukrainian president.
Macron said Russia is the aggressor and the Ukrainians are the victims of that aggression.
“We must respect those who have been fighting since the beginning,” he said.
Minerals deal not signed: White House official
A senior US official has told the Reuters news agency that Trump has not ruled out the agreement, but only when Ukraine is ready to have a constructive conversation.
The official added that it is up to the Ukrainians if the leaders’ cancelled joint news conference could be rescheduled while Zelenskyy is in the US.
