WASHINGTON, D.C. – A White House official confirmed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was told to leave the White House following a tense meeting with President Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
It was supposed to be a friendly meeting and a moment for the two leaders to sign a mineral agreement but it quickly turned intense after the three leaders exchanged words in the Oval Office. VP Vance said they want to achieve peace through diplomacy. That’s when Zelenskyy chimed in and said they’ve tried a diplomatic route with Russia but they broke the ceasefire agreement. Here is part of the exchange:
ZELENSKYY: He killed our people and he didn’t exchange prisoners. We signed the exchange of prisoners but he didn’t do it. What kind of diplomacy, JD, you are asking about? What do you mean?
VANCE: I’m talking about the kind of diplomacy that’s going to end the destruction of your country. Mr. President [Zelenskyy] with respect for you to come into the Oval Office and try to litigate this through the American people and the American media. Right now, you guys are going around enforcing conscripts to the front lines because you have manpower problems. You should be thanking the President for trying to bring an end to this conflict.
ZELENSKYY: Have you ever been to Ukraine to say what problems we have?
VANE: I have been to-
ZELENSKYY: You’ve come once?
VANCE: Actually I have watched and seen the stories and I know what happens. You bring these people on a propaganda tour, Mr. President. Do you disagree you’ve had problems bringing people into your military? And do you think it’s respectful to come to the Oval Office of the United States of America and attack the administration that is trying to prevent the destruction of your country?
ZELENSKYY: A lot of questions. Let’s start from the beginning.
VANCE: Sure.
ZELENSKYY: During the war everybody has problems. Even you, but you have nice ocean which you don’t feel now but you will feel it in the future.
TRUMP: You don’t know that. Don’t tell us what we’re gonna feel. We’re trying to solve a problem. Don’t tell us what we’re gonna feel.
ZELENSKYY: I’m not telling you-
TRUMP: You’re in no position to dictate that. Remember this.
TRUMP: You’re in not in a good position. You don’t have the cards right now. With us you start having cards. Right now, you’re playing cards. You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people. You’re gambling with World War three, you’re gambling with World War three.”
The pair were supposed to have a joint press conference together but that never happened. A White House official told me Zelenskyy was asked to leave the White House.
The biggest question is: what is next for Ukraine? President Trump released a statement saying in part: Zelenskyy disrespected the US and he can come back when he is ready for peace. Zelenskyy also released a statement on social media. He thanked the American people, the President and Congress for the support and wants Ukraine to have peace.
