Shouting match in front of the camera

Trump and Selensky argue in front of the cameras

Diplomatic disaster in the Oval Office

(Bild: JIM LO SCALZO / POOL)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US head of state Donald Trump argued loudly in front of the cameras in the Oval Office on Friday. The visit should have smoothed the waters, but ended in a diplomatic disaster. Selensky left the White House in a hurry ...

The pace is getting rougher. Donald Trump and his vice president JD Vance put the Ukrainian president through the wringer in front of the cameras, and he didn't put up with it for long. Both parties raised their voices audibly during the discussion.

In the Oval Office, Trump accused the Ukrainian head of state of saying that Zelensky was "not at all grateful". "It's going to be hard to do business this way," Trump added. "You're risking a third world war." Either Zelenskyi makes a "deal - or we're out".

Selensky would have "very bad cards". In response, the Ukrainian president replied that he had not come to Washington to play cards. Vance accused his guest of being disrespectful.

Trump kept interrupting Selenskyj while the Ukrainian president tried to say something back. "No, no, you can't say anything now. You're not going to win. But thanks to us, you have a damn good chance of coming out of the situation well."

The USA had given Ukraine "350 billion dollars via our stupid president (probably referring to Joe Biden, editor's note)". Selenskyj repeatedly corrected Trump when he claimed that the United States had provided more aid than Europe. "President Trump said they offered less support, but they are our friends and very supportive partners. They've really given a lot, Mr. President."

A culprit was quickly found for Vance.

(Bild: SAUL LOEB/AFP)

According to the AP news agency, Zelensky called Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin a "murderer and a terrorist" during the conversation and told the Republican that "there should be no compromise with a murderer". Trump repeatedly rebuked Zelenskyi: "Can you speak from a position of strength without the USA?"

Horror among diplomats present
The meeting took a turn when Trump was asked about his relationship with Russia. The US President replied that he was allied with both Putin and Ukraine. He refused to say "terrible things about Putin" that would make negotiations more difficult. "I am not allied with anyone. I'm allied with the United States of America and the good of the world," he said. 

Trump's Vice Vance was also curt: "Mr. President, Mr. President, with all due respect. I think it's disrespectful of you to come into the Oval Office and try to negotiate in front of the American media," Vance said. "Right now, when you're running around forcing draftees to the front lines because you have manpower problems, you should be thanking President (Trump) for trying to improve the situation." At this, he snapped at him, "Have you ever thanked him?" 

There was visible astonishment in the room during the exchange. CNN chief foreign correspondent Kaitlan Collins shared a snapshot showing the dismayed Ukrainian ambassador to the US with her head in her hands in response to the heated exchange.

Trump had hurled hair-raising insults at his Ukrainian colleague in recent weeks - but softened his tone towards his counterpart before Zelensky's visit. Trump finally ended the exchange next to a stunned Zelensky with the words: "I think we've seen enough." And, looking at the press present in the room, cynically added: "This is going to be great television, I can tell you that." Nobody wanted to laugh anymore. 

Press conference canceled
After the argument, a joint press conference was canceled. According to CNN, Selenskyj was prepared to continue behind the scenes, but was expelled from the White House by the US delegation. Trump followed up on social media. His counterpart had dishonored the White House: "He can come back when he's ready for peace."

He also announced a quasi-withdrawal by the USA: "I have determined that President Zelensky is not ready for peace if America is involved because he believes that our involvement gives him a big advantage in the negotiations."

The Polish head of government Donald Tusk addressed words of support to Zelensky via X: "You are not alone." Initial reactions from Russia resembled a storm of cheers. "The cheeky pig finally got a proper rebuff in the Oval Office," tweeted Putin confidant Dmitry Medvedev.

Commodity agreement in the air
The visit had been eagerly awaited. The presidents were supposed to sign a raw materials agreement on the joint use of natural resources in Ukraine. According to reports, this did not happen.

Little is known so far about the content of the agreement - but it does not appear to include the security guarantees from the USA to Russia that Zelenskyi had demanded. The agreement was supposed to bring Washington and Kiev closer together again.