The diplomatic tensions between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and former US President Donald Trump reached a boiling point after a tense Oval Office meeting.
The encounter, which ended abruptly, has sparked global reactions, with 33 world leaders publicly backing Ukraine in its ongoing battle against Russian aggression.
Inside the Heated White House Meeting
Zelensky met with Trump and US Vice President JD Vance on Friday, hoping to secure continued US support for Ukraine.
However, the discussion quickly turned confrontational over a proposed minerals deal, granting the US access to Ukraine’s rare earth resources in exchange for further military aid.
- Zelensky demanded solid security guarantees for Ukraine, which Trump rejected.
- Vance accused Zelensky of being “disrespectful”, asking, “Have you said ‘thank you’ once?”
- The meeting ended abruptly, with Zelensky’s delegation escorted out of the White House.
Following the fallout, Zelensky took to X (formerly Twitter), expressing gratitude to Americans for their support.
When later asked if he would apologize to Trump, Zelensky responded, “I’m not sure we did anything wrong… Ukraine is fighting for its survival.”
Global Leaders Speak Out
In response to the diplomatic standoff, leaders from across the world voiced their support for Ukraine and condemned Russia’s continued aggression:
- Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reaffirmed support, stating, “Ukraine’s fight for democracy and freedom matters to us all.”
- French President Emmanuel Macron praised Ukrainian resilience, saying, “They are fighting for their dignity and the security of Europe.”
- Slovenian President Nataša Musar called Russia the aggressor, denouncing the Oval Office incident as a blow to diplomacy.
- Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer and Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs pledged continued European support for Ukraine.
- Finnish President Alexander Stubb compared Ukraine’s war to Finland’s own past struggles, emphasizing Ukraine’s fight for sovereignty and survival.
Other world leaders, including those from Montenegro, Slovakia, and beyond, echoed similar sentiments, stressing that Ukraine deserves all the support it can get.
What’s Next?
As global pressure mounts, the future of US-Ukraine relations remains uncertain.
Zelensky continues to push for stronger international backing, while Trump’s stance signals a potential shift in US foreign policy regarding Ukraine.
For more updates on this evolving story, stay tuned to NIGPOST.
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