President Donald Trump scolded Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for his “disrespectful” attitude during their meeting at the Oval Office before calling off the signing of a minerals deal that would have helped end the ongoing war with Russia.
Zelensky was then asked to leave the White House in a tense turn of events after nearly 45 minutes of back and forth between the two presidents and Vice President JD Vance.
“You’re gambling with World War III, and what you’re doing is very disrespectful to the country, this country that’s backed you far more than a lot of people say they should have,” Trump told his Ukrainian counterpart.
At one point Vance added: “Mr. President, with respect, I think it’s disrespectful for you to come to the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the American media,” with Trump shouting “You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people.”
Trump criticized Zelensky’s “hatred” for Russian President Vladimir Putin, suggesting it was a roadblock to peace negotiations.
“You see the hatred he’s got for Putin. That’s very tough for me to make a deal with that kind of hate,” Trump said.
