Trump and Zelensky Engage in Heated Argument in Oval Office: “Agree to Deal or We’re Walking Away”
Verbal Clash Between Trump and Zelensky at Oval Office Meeting
Minutes into the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, a verbal clash broke out between the two leaders at the Oval Office. In a loud and stern voice, President Trump told Mr Zelensky that you “either make a deal or we are out”.
“You are in big trouble…you are not winning this,” he said.
Trump’s Accusations and Zelensky’s Response
President Zelensky responded in equal measure, saying that “We are in our own country, and we have stayed strong all this time. We have even thanked you for it (your support)”, to which the US Vice President responded “in this meeting?”.
But an extraordinary shouting match ensued between the two leaders as the international media watched in utter disbelief. “I’m afraid dealing this way is going to make things very difficult,” said President Trump as hopes for a peace deal in Ukraine hung in the balance.
“You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people. You’re gambling with World War Three, and what you’re doing is very disrespectful to this country,” Donald Trump added.
Escalation of the Argument
By now, the argument extended to the US Vice President as well, when Zelensky asked him to desist from “talking loudly”. Keeping a firm tone, the US Vice President JD Vance told President Zelensky that “diplomacy was needed” to end the war, but President Zelensky hit back saying “what kind of diplomacy?” Mr Vance then accused him of being “disrespectful” in the president’s office.
Video of the Verbal Duel Between Trump and Zelensky
Defending the Vice President, Donald Trump lashed out at President Zelensky saying “We have given you $350 billion, we gave you military equipment, and a lot of backing. If you didn’t have our military equipment, this war would have been over in two weeks.” To this, President Zelensky immediately shot back, indirectly accusing Trump of speaking the same words as Putin, saying “yes-yes, wouldn’t have lasted even two or three days – I heard that from Putin too.”
Attempts to Bring Control to the Situation
In an attempt to bring things in control, the US Vice President stepped in again, saying “There are disagreements. Let’s go litigate those disagreements, instead of fighting it out in front of the American media when you are wrong. We know you (Zelensky) are wrong” – A few days ago, Donald Trump had called Zelensky a “dictator” and accused Zelensky of “starting the war”.
Further Escalation and Insults
Almost scolding Zelensky, Trump said “People are dying, you’re running low on soldiers, and then you tell us ‘I don’t want a ceasefire’, and ‘I want to go on fighting’ – Look…you need to call a ceasefire now, so that the bullets stop flying, and no more lives are lost. I am here, and I want a ceasefire, but clearly you don’t want a ceasefire,” Trump said in an accusatory tone.
Zelensky hit back again asking Trump to “ask your predecessors what they have to say about the ceasefire”, to which Trump immediately said “That was a guy named Biden, who was not a smart person” insulting the former US President – something he had done during campaign rallies, but perhaps never in the Oval Office. The remark will almost certainly widen the fissure between the Republicans and the Democrats.
Aftermath of the Meeting
After the high-decibel meeting, Donald Trump immediately shared a message on his social media platform Truth Social, in which he wrote “I have determined that President Zelenskyy is 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,” President Trump added.
In the wake of this ugly meeting, the hope for peace in Ukraine now seems indefinitely delayed as President Zelensky left without signing the crucial deal which would be the first step to a ceasefire.