Trump and Zelenskyy meeting turns into shouting match as Ukraine president accused of being 'disrespectful'
CBC
A meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy devolved into a shouting match at the White House on Friday, a remarkable scene unlike any other seen in the Oval Office in recent memory.
Trump and Vice President JD Vance berated Zelenskyy as Ukraine's leader sought security guarantees during negotiations to bring an end to the Russia-Ukraine war after three years.
Trump told Zelenskyy as they gathered in the Oval Office that doing so was disrespectful. Zelenskyy was pushing for U.S. security commitments to keep his country safe from further Russian aggression.
"You're gambling with the lives of millions of people," Trump said. "You're gambling with World War III, and what you're doing is very disrespectful to the country, this country that's backed you far more than a lot of people say they should have."
The meeting between the two men took a turn on the topic of whether Zelenskyy has shown enough gratitude to the United States for its support in the war. Trump, at one point, gave Zelenskyy an ultimatum on a peace agreement: "make a deal or we're out."
Vance sat opposite the men, telling the Ukraine president to be grateful: "Have you said 'thank you' even once?"
The three of them shouted over one another with raised voices. A planned news conference with the leaders was later cancelled and Zelenskyy left the White House early.
In a post online, Trump said it was a "meaningful" meeting.
"Much was learned that could never be understood without conversation under such fire and pressure. It's amazing what comes out through emotion.... He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for Peace."
Zelenskyy's delegation was in Washington and expected to sign the framework for an economic agreement with the U.S. aimed at financing the reconstruction of war-damaged Ukraine, a deal that would closely tie the two countries together for years to come in an investment fund.
The deal, which is seen as a step toward ending the three-year war, references the importance of Ukraine's security. But it leaves that to a separate agreement still being hammered out by the two leaders.
Vance implied that Western leaders paying visits to Kyiv hosted by Zelenskyy were given "propaganda trips" and that the Ukrainian leader hadn't been thankful enough for U.S. military aid through the years.
During his first term as president, Trump suggested to Zelenskyy in a phone call that the Ukrainian leader should co-operate in efforts to discredit political rival Joe Biden. U.S. aid to Ukraine was delayed. Democrats impeached Trump for what they said was a quid pro quo, but Trump was subsequently acquitted in the Senate, avoiding removal from office.
Meanwhile, the White House removed a TASS reporter from the Oval Office once the issue was flagged to them, saying the Russian state outlet was not on the approved media list for Trump's meeting with Zelenskyy, a White House official said.
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