Featured Image Credit: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
Topics: Donald Trump, Politics, Ukraine, World News, Russia
Poppy Bilderbeck
Topics: Donald Trump, Politics, Ukraine, World News, Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has issued a statement following his heated discussion with Donald Trump and JD Vance at the Oval Office today.
US President Donald Trump, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US Vice President JD Vance met at the White House's Oval Office in Washington DC, earlier today (February 28).
Vance proceeded to accuse Zelenskyy of being disrespectful towards both the US and President Trump, telling him he 'should be thanking the president'.
Have a listen to the heated exchange below:
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In a clip from the meeting, the Ukrainian president reflects on how 'during the war, everyone has problems' and just because those in the US don't 'feel it now' doesn't mean they won't in 'the future'.
Trump then butts in, arguing he's 'trying to solve a problem' and saying Zelenskyy is in 'no position' to tell them 'what [they're] going to feel'.
Raising his voice, Trump continues: "You're in no position to dictate what we're going to feel. We're going to feel very good. We're going to feel very good and very strong. You're right now, not in a very good position, you've allowed yourself to be in a very bad position.
"You don't have the cards right now. With us, you start having cards ... You're gambling with the lives of millions of people! You're gambling with World War Three! You're gambling with World War III. And what you're doing is very disrespectful to the country - this country."
As a Twitter user wrote: "Jesus F**king Christ! Watching Trump yell and demean the Ukrainian President is completely disrespectful. What a disgrace."
And Zelenskyy has since taken to the social media platform to speak out following his visit to Washington, writing: "Thank you America, thank you for your support, thank you for this visit.
His tweet continues: "Thank you @POTUS, Congress, and the American people. Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for that."
This comes after Trump issued a statement of his own, penning on his social media platform Truth Social: "We had a very meaningful meeting in the White House today. 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 Zelensky 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."