Volodymyr Zelensky refused to apologize for the clash with U.S. President Donald Trump and the Oval Office vice president JD Vance, but insisted that the relationship could be fixed.
Mr. Zelensky left the White House after a meeting collapsed, when JD Vance accused him of “disrespectful” the United States. Mr. Trump reiterated the vice president’s claim, adding that Kiev is “gambling with World War III.”
“I’m not sure we’re not doing well. I think maybe we have to talk about something in the media,” Mr. Zelensky said in a speech to Fox News late Friday.
The two will sign an important mineral agreement, but Mr. Trump and Mr. Vance repeatedly raised the issue of U.S. security assurances after the Ukrainian president repeatedly raised part of a peace agreement with Russia. Mr. Zelensky has no signature. A senior White House official said Friday night that Mr. Trump had no interest in restoring the mineral deal.
Meanwhile, European leaders rally supported Mr. Zelensky after Trump and Vance attacked during key White House talks. Sir Keir Starmer expressed “unwavering support” to Ukraine and said he had spoken with Mr. Zelensky and Mr. Trump over the phone.
Sir Bill Browder, who was once Russia’s largest foreign investor, was deported by Vladimir Putin, claimed that Mr. Trump realized that the Russian leader was not serious about the peace deal and deliberately “blasted” the meeting with Mr. Zelensky to save the face.
“It’s obvious that Putin has no interest in a peace deal,” Sir Bill told the Independent. “For Trump, the easiest way to save his promise in the face of war is to blow up his meeting with Zelensky and then blame him for his collapse in the negotiations. That’s exactly what happened yesterday. Now, that responsibility is in the UK and the EU supporting Ukraine because the United States will certainly withdraw.”
Putin suggested that he was willing to accept peace talks, but still undermined any reasonable trading opportunities with the greatest demand. These included security assurances for Ukraine and forced Kief to sign a large swath of land in Russia that was not even occupied.
After a tense exchange, Zelensky urged the world not to forget Ukraine. In a message on the telegram, he held a video of a meeting with Ukrainian citizens in Washington.
Under the video, he wrote: “It is very important for us to hear Ukraine’s voice and no one has forgotten it during and after the war. It is important for the people of Ukraine to know that they are not alone and that their interests are represented in every corner of the world.
“Thank you for your support during this difficult time, all the efforts made for Ukrainians and Ukrainians and your help – not only diplomacy and finance, but also politics and prayer.”
