Talks between Ukraine and the US ended in chaos today after a White House meeting between Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump descended into furious shouting match.
The much-anticipated encounter between the Ukrainian president and US president started promisingly but within minutes had fallen apart in front of the world’s media.
Trump and his deputy JD Vance accused the Ukrainian leader of gambling with World War Three and accused him of being “disrespectful” and “ungrateful”.
Mr Trump claimed Mr Zelensky would have no power without him and said he could either make a deal or “fight it out”.
The much-vaunted critical minerals deal between Ukraine and the US now looks to be in tatters as Mr Zelensky looked set to leave the discussions early. A press conference between him and President Trump was cancelled.
The talks “ended in an outright shouting match” after Mr Trump and Mr Vance lashed out. One journalist present in the room said the two sides were “yelling at each other in the Oval Office is something I’ve never witnessed in eight years at the White House”.
The US president told his Ukrainian counterpart, who had flown to Washington to try to win security guarantees: “You’re gambling with World War Three, 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.”
Mr Zelensky had arrived at the White House expecting to sign a deal that would grant the US access to the country’s rare earth materials as the Ukrainian leader seeks US backing in trying to bring the war with Russia to a close.
The meeting started off courteously, but descended into open acrimony as both Americans demanded Mr Zelensky show gratitude.
Mr Vance told him: “Mr President, with respect. I think it’s disrespectful for you to come to the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the American media.”
The Ukrainian president tried to object, prompting Mr Trump to raise his voice and say: “You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people.”
The US president repeatedly insisted: “You’re not in good position right now.”
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