Volodymyr Zelensky, the president of Ukraine, says that the support from the United States is "crucial," a day after cutting short a trip to Washington, D.C., because of an extraordinary public argument with Donald Trump. Trump and Vice President JD Vance criticized the Ukrainian leader in front of reporters in the Oval Office after a meeting to discuss a natural resources deal fell apart. Zelensky attempted to respond at one point, but an irate Trump accused him of "gambling with World War III." Kaja Kallas, the top diplomat for the European Union, stated that it is "clear that the free world needs a new leader." This came as Europe, already shaken by Trump's invitations to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, quickly rallied around Zelensky. On Saturday, Zelensky appeared conciliatory when he posted on social media after arriving in London to meet UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
“We must have President Trump’s support,”
Zelensky said in a series of posts on X on Saturday morning. "He wants the
war to end, but nobody wants peace more than we do." Zelensky emphasized
his gratitude for the US’s backing of Ukraine in the three years since Russia
invaded his country.
In Friday’s fiery exchange, Vance questioned
whether the Ukrainian leader had been thankful enough for US support.
We are extremely appreciative of the assistance
provided by the United States. I’m thankful to President Trump, Congress for
their bipartisan support, and the American people. Ukrainians have always
appreciated this support, especially during these three years of full-scale
invasion,” Zelensky reiterated in his posts on social media.
Despite Friday's conflict, the Ukrainian leader
emphasized that the United States and Ukraine "remain strategic
partners." However, to truly comprehend our shared objectives, we must be
open and honest with one another." He stated that Ukraine is prepared to
sign the minerals agreement to which he had traveled to the United States, but
that "it's not enough" to provide the security guarantees he had been
seeking. “We need more than just that. A ceasefire without security guarantees
is dangerous for Ukraine. Zelenskyy stated, "The Ukrainian people need to
know that America is on our side. We've been fighting for three years." Before
a larger meeting with several European leaders at a summit on Sunday, Zelensky
is scheduled to meet Starmer at the British leader's official residence later
on Saturday. The summit was announced amid growing concern that the Trump
administration’s push to work with Russia could exclude Ukraine from deciding
its fate.
Trump referred to Zelensky as a
"dictator" and falsely accused Ukraine of starting the war with
Russia just last week. He mentioned Ukraine "may be Russian someday"
the week before when discussing the minerals agreement. The fractious meeting
on Friday prompted gleeful responses from Russian officials. Dmitry Medvedev,
the former Russian president, said Zelensky had “finally got a proper slap down
in the Oval Office.”
Meanwhile, a flurry of Western countries took to
X to show their staunch support for Kyiv.
Zelenskyy's "dignity honors the bravery of
the Ukrainian people," according to a joint statement from the leaders of
the European Union. NATO chief Mark Rutte called the fractious Zelensky- Trump meeting “very unfortunate.” Rutte went on to say, "It is important that
President Zelensky find a way to restore his relationship with the American
president and with the senior leadership team," in an interview with BBC
News.
