The Ukrainian president left without signing a deal granting the US access to his country’s minerals, seen as vital to ending the war with Russia, after an initially relaxed meeting with Trump became heated.
The Ukrainian president tried to object, prompting Trump to raise his voice and say: “You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people.”
The 45-minute engagement took a turn following an intervention by Vance, who appeared irritated by Zelensky’s insistence that Russia could not be trusted to honour international agreements.
“Right now you guys are going around and forcing conscripts to the front lines because you have manpower problems. You should be thanking the president.”
Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky look away from each other in the Oval Office (Photo: Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)“You’re not in a good position,” he said. “You don’t have the cards right now.”
‘You’ve got to be more thankful’
In the tense final 10 minutes, Trump and Vance repeatedly accused Zelensky of showing insufficient gratitude for American support.
“Have you said ‘thank you’ once this entire meeting?” Vance asked.
Europe running out of options as Trump dodges US backstop
Read MoreDuring last year’s presidential campaign, Zelensky visited an ammunitions factory in the Pennsylvania, a key swing state, where thanked workers who produce one of Ukraine’s most vitally needed munitions, flanked by Democrat politicians.
“I said ‘thank you’ a lot of times to the American people,” an exasperated Zelensky replied to Vance.
‘Make a deal or we’re out’
Before cutting the meeting short, Trump suggested that the US could withdraw support for Ukraine if the two countries failed to reach an agreement.
“I don’t think it’s going to be pretty, but you’ll fight it out, but you don’t have the cards, but once we sign that deal, you’re in a much better position, but you’re not acting at all thankful. And that’s not a nice thing, I’ll be honest. That’s not a nice thing.”
Donald Trump points at Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office (Photo: Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)The final version would have seen the two countries jointly develop Ukraine’s mineral wealth, with the profits going to a shared fund.
Instead, Zelensky’s armoured SUV abruptly pulled up to the door of the West Wing moments after a Trump post appeared on his social media platform, Truth Social.
“He can come back when he is ready for Peace,” he added.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Three astonishing things Trump said to Zelensky in White House shouting match )
Also on site :