Ukraine's Zelensky clashes with Trump over alliance doubts
- At that moment there was a feeling that we were not allies - said the President of Ukraine when asked in an interview about the argument with Donald Trump and J.D. Vance, which took place in late February at the White House. - I defended the dignity of Ukraine - Volodymyr Zelensky argued.
In a conversation with Time magazine, Zelensky was asked whether he thought it was prudent to enter into a dispute with Trump in the Oval Office.
- Why did the Ukrainians defend themselves at the start of this war? It was because of dignity (…). We do not consider ourselves some kind of superpower. (…). Ukrainians are very emotional, and when it comes to our sense of dignity, freedom, democracy, our people rise up and unite - Zelensky replied.
The Ukrainian leader added that he hoped the mentioned meeting at the White House would confirm the permanence of the Ukrainian-American alliance. As he admitted, for a moment, this was in question. - At that moment there was a feeling that we were not allies - he added.
Zelensky accused Americans of having more faith in Vladimir Putin's assurances than in their own intelligence reports. - I believe Russia managed to influence certain people within the White House team through information. They sent a message to the Americans suggesting that Ukrainians supposedly don’t want to end the war — and that something needs to be done to pressure them into it - the Ukrainian president stated.
Journalist Simon Shuster assessed that currently, in U.S. rhetoric, ""Trump has reserved all the carrots for Russia, while the Ukrainians get the stick." - If the carrot is poisoned, then thank God. Maybe that’s the sneakiness of this diplomacy - Zelensky commented with a smile.
Uproar at the White House. Zelensky asked to leave
Zelensky met with Trump at the White House on Friday, February 28th. The conversation about the prospects of ending Russia's war against Ukraine initially proceeded in a relatively good atmosphere but ended in an unprecedented argument, during which Trump and Vance raised their voices, accusing Zelensky of ingratitude and lack of respect for the U.S.
After the argument, Trump broke off talks, and the Ukrainians were asked to leave. The planned joint press conference of Trump and Zelensky was cancelled, and both sides did not sign the announced mineral agreement.
In mid-March, Trump declared continued support for Kyiv and expressed a desire to meet with Zelensky at the White House again.
