United States President Donald Trump has taken to his Truth Social platform to address his tense exchange with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday.
The parties gathered in the Oval Office for a meeting that should have preceded the signing of a deal to give the U.S. access to Ukrainian oil and valuable minerals, but given the argument that broke out, it didn’t take place.
Vice President JD Vance told the Ukrainian President that the war with Russia should end with diplomacy, prompting him to ask “What kind of diplomacy?”
Things went downhill from there as Trump and Zelinsky would interrupt each other several times while trying to get their points across.
The U.S. leader told his counterpart to fashion a deal with Russia, “or we are out,” also accusing him of “gambling with World War Three” while berating him over a perceived lack of gratitude for America’s assistance.
It’s said that Trump kicked Zelensky out of the White House after the exchange, as he was seen leaving well before schedule, and without any deal being signed.
Donald Trump Says Volodymyr Zelensky Is Against Peace
As mentioned above, Trump has since taken to his social media platform to address the matter, accusing Zelensky of disrespecting the Oval Office and telling him he can return when he’s ready for peace.
“We had a very meaningful meeting in the White House today,” he wrote. “Much was learned that could never be understood without conversation under such fire and pressure.
“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.”
For his part, Zelensky insisted that there should be no compromise with Russian President Vladimir Putin, but Trump advised that concessions must be made to broker peace.
