In an extraordinarily contentious meeting that was supposed to set the stage for peace talks and a multi-billion dollar rare earth metals deal, U.S. President Donald Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky exchanged tense and at times heated words in an Oval Office meeting on Friday afternoon that was cut short and ended without advancing either goal.
“You’re gambling with the the lives of millions of people … you’re gambling with World War Three, and what you’re doing is very disrespectful to the country.” President Trump told President Zelensky.
The two argued in front of media and a room filled with senior staff over the need for compromise to end the war. Trump told Zelensky: “You don’t have the cards. You’re buried there. Your people are dying. You’re running low on soldiers. Then you tell us, ‘I don’t want a cease fire. I don’t want to cease fire.’ “
Zelensky had said that he would not compromise while Russian troops were in his country, which appears to have been the spark that lit Trump’s ire.
Trump also expressed irritation that Zelensky had not been more thankful, prompting Vice-President J.D. Vance to interject and tell the Ukrainian president he hadn’t said thank you once, and it would be a good idea if he did.
Vice-President Vance went on to remind Zelensky how he had “campaigned for the opposition” last summer when he visited the U.S., referring to a trip Zelensky took then to Pennsylvania that was widely seen to be an endorsement of the Biden administration and of Trump’s 2024 rival, Kamala Harris.
Adding to the pile on, a reporter standing behind Vance asked the crew-neck wearing Zelensky if he even owns a suit, prompting the Ukrainian to retort that when he wins the war, he’ll come back wearing a “costume” (the Russian word for ‘suit.’)
While greeting Zelensky at the West Wing entrance before the meeting, Trump had quipped: “You’re all dressed up.”
“It’s amazing what comes out through emotion, and I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for Peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations. I don’t want advantage, I want PEACE. He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for Peace,” Trump posted on Truth Social after the encounter.
Following the meeting, Zelensky posted a short message on X thanking the United States, Congress, and Trump and stated “Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for that.”
After a jocular meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron and tense though cordial one with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer earlier in the week, the Zelensky visit to the Oval Office marks a stark departure from anything that has preceded it — possibly ever.
Ukrainian’s ambassador could be seen on the margins of the meeting with her head buried in her hands. CNN’s Dana Bash looked visibly stunned in reporting on the rarely confrontational encounter.
Immediate response of social media depends largely on who is posting: supporters of Trump appear to delight in the smack-down of the man who was central to the president’s 2019 impeachment while Democrats and main stream media are appalled.
Russian state media relished the moment:
“Zelensky rehashed his usual accusations against Russia,” an article on the TASS website said. “Asked if he believed in further support from the US, he tried to give Trump an opportunity to answer, which Trump ignored. Zelensky then began to say that the US is on the side of Ukraine, but Trump left that statement without comment.”
<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="36074 https://www.themainewire.com/?p=36074">21 Comments
Zero-ensky…this PUNK’S tenure was officially over last May. Talk about a waste of tax payer money on a degenerate leech! Im glad he was sent to the curb like the trash he is.
why does the Maine wire have a neocon warmonger columnist? Sam did you have breakfast with zelensky and Suzie collins
Did you hear pinhead pingree? Talk about the mother of all Karens. What a dumb bitch.
Sorry but my pockets are no longer deep. They have picked by the Democrats.
Zelensky grew up in the USSR — he’s thinking about how North Vietnam won.
If he gets Trump impeached again, then the Dems and RINOs will fund him again.
Zelensky wants us to use nukes against Russia. If it was up to this US-installed puppet president, he doesn’t give a crap about starting world war 3.
Someone ought to try and get Victoria Nuland’s take on this. She’s the US State Department FOOL who, with the help of the CIA and USAID funding, orchestrated the overthrow of the duly elected Ukrainian president to install this idiot. She is the primary player for this entire disaster.
Democrat-run fake news is DESTROYING our country. Notice How Dana Bitch cherry-picked only the angry, less substantive words of Trump, rather than his main points, which were rightfully calling out Zelenskyy for not being sincere in wanting to end the conflict.
This country can never heal as long as the Marxo-fascist dems continue to propagandize / brainwash their audience (even if it is ever-diminishing).
Most of my friends are well-meaning but ignorant democrats who watch CNN, for God’s sake.
Fake news needs to be PROHIBITED: New Yuck Slimes, Nazi Propaganda Radio, Cognitive Nullification Network, Misinformation, Slander, & Nonsense Broadcasting Company, Associated Presstitutes, et. al.
A lot of Commie’s posting in support of Trump as Trump backs Putin 100%.
BIMBO BONDY is using this to continue the destruction of the Epstein list , Gotta protect the Pedo’s !!!!!!!!
I’m reading Stalin’s War currently and am shocked at FDR’s fawning support of Stalin. It’s rare when a President has the cajones to speak assertively. Zelenskyyy is an ingrate who’s destroyed Ukraine and always immediately asks for more of whatever the US has given him. Why the US backs Zelenskyyy – who is by many definitions a dictator himself is beyond me.
@Mike, you being a Zekensky puppet, how peace is to achieved without talking to Putin. And while you are at it explain why we should even be involved. And where is Victoria Nuland on this, she installed Zelensky,.
For the past three years while in key West at the corner of Palm and Rt.1, There has been a veering sized crowed of young people ( OF DRAFT AGE) at all times of the day and night supporting the country of Ukraine and asking for US help. Last summer we had our of old windows replaced in our Maine cottage replaced.by a well known national company. The crew showed up early one summer day. The seven workers went right to work bringing the windows from a sight in NH and replacing our old windows.. The langue the spoke during their work was not English, French or Spanish, so I asked. The young men were from the Ukraine, all working in the US for more than a year. All capable, as those Ukraine’s in Key West, of fighting and dying for their own country, Ukraine. I am paying twice for my replacement windows and the money that Bidden and Maine’s brit bulbs in DC gave to Ukraine. Thank you Trump!
Love him or hated him, He is bringing the Marketplace Rules to government, How much? What am I paying for? I want a deal
Unfortunately Zelensky is delusional! Got all he wanted and more from a mentally feeble Biden! He was trying to talk over Trump in the Oval Office, big mistake! American taxpayers are tapped out! C’mon man!
Putin is a dictator
“The only person winning here from this is President Putin” CNN
Another lie from CNN. The American People won this exchange. We will not be led into a war with Russia 300 miles from Moscow for the sake of Ukraine. The people of Maine who understand the risks of this know that the outcome of such an event will be mushroom clouds over Bath Iron Works, Kittery Naval Shipyard, Portland, Bangor, and the Brunswick Airfield. That is what is at stake here. All of you virtue signaling Lefties with the Ukie flags outside your house and support this slaughter can go sign up for frontline combat in the Ukraine Foreign Legion right here; Join the Brave | International Legionnaires of Ukraine
“According to Fox News, the Vance family had to move to an “undisclosed location” today after he was met by pro-Ukraine demonstrators.”
They are in America but not fighting in their Homeland for their country!
Ok for American dollars and lives.
Lots of Zelensky puppets around, kissing his butt.
Shoulda let ol’ J.D. kick his ass all the way back to the chevylimo from whence he came lol
Dronestrike him as an example to others what’ll happen if they show up like a bum who pukes all over a Presidential Invite.
Draw line at Kiev university where Ukrainians and Russians might be taught to get along, either side create elliptical demilitarized zone that increases Russian seaport territory while looking like as much land saved as possible, then ask Pope to extend Benefit of Clergy to Kiev U students. Hold election in New Ukraine immed
This is Europe’s problem, and the nice thing is that Europe is starting to realize that.