Zelenskyy leaves White House early after furious meeting where Trump claims he ‘disrespected US’ and is not ready for peace – live

Trump-Zelenskyy talks cut short after heated exchanges in Oval Office – summary

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to the White House has been cut short after he got into a heated exchange with US president Donald Trump and vice-president JD Vance, who accused him of “disrespectful” behaviour during their talks in the Oval Office.
In a social media update, Trump said he has determined that Zelenskyy “is not ready for peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations”, and said the Ukrainian leader “disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office”. “He can come back when he is ready for peace,” he added.
In their earlier talks, Trump repeatedly told Zelenskyy that he was “gambling with the lives of millions, with the third world war”, and told him to stop holding out for further security guarantees saying “you’re either going to make a deal or we are out”.
Trump appeared to draw false equivalence between the two sides of the war and positioning himself “for both Ukraine and Russia” as he pursues a peace deal, in stark contrast to Zelenskyy’s comments about Putin as a “killer” and “terrorist” who invaded Ukraine, and with whom he was not ready to compromise on the Ukrainian territory.
The pair repeatedly clashed over their view of Russia and the negotiations, as well as the extent of the European support for Ukraine.
JD Vance also falsely accused Zelenskyy for not thanking the US for its support and “campaigning for the opposition in October,” instead of showing “words of appreciation for the US and the president who is trying to save your country.”
Zelenskyy has left the White House moments ago, with the press conference between the two leaders, where they were expected to sign a deal on minerals, also cancelled.

In full: Zelenskyy and Trump meeting descends into heated argument in front of the press – video

Key events

Ukraine ‘fighting for dignity, independence, security of Europe,’ Macron says

Earlier I brought you a quick reaction from French president Emmanuel Macron.

Here is a longer quote from his comments in Portugal:

Russia is the aggressor, and Ukraine is the aggressed people.

I think we were all right to help Ukraine and sanction Russia three years ago, and to continue to do so. We, that is the United States of America, the Europeans, the Canadians, the Japanese and many others.

And we must thank all those who have helped and respect those who have been fighting since the beginning. Because they are fighting for their dignity, their independence, their children and the security of Europe.

These are simple things, but they’re good to remember at times like these, that’s all.

Zelenskyy’s Hudson Institute speech cancelled

As part of his visit to Washington DC, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy was meant to speak at the conservative Hudson Institute tonight, after meeting Trump.

But this has now been cancelled, Reuters just confirmed.

More European leaders are constantly joining in.

Czech prime minister Petr Fiala says:

We stand with Ukraine and on the side of the free world!

and Latvian prime minister Evika Siliņa added simply:

Latvia stands with Ukraine.

European leaders rally behind Zelenskyy after Trump spat

The Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Støre is the latest European leader to offer his support for Zelenskyy and Ukraine as he says this:

We stand by Ukraine in their fair struggle for a just and lasting peace.

The Swedish prime minister Ulf Kristersson said:

Sweden stands with Ukraine. You are not only fighting for your freedom but also for all of Europe’s. Slava Ukraini!

The Lithuanian president Gitanas Nausėda has also joined in:

Ukraine, you’ll never walk alone.

… and the Irish foreign minister Simon Harris:

Ukraine is not to blame for this war brought about by Russia’s illegal invasion. We stand with Ukraine.

Their comments come after earlier expression of support from Poland’s Tusk, Spain’s Sanchez, and France’s Macron.

Trump’s personal decision to call talks with Zelenskyy off – media reports

The CNN’s chief White House correspondent Kaitlan Collins says that it was Trump’s decision to conclude the talks after the exchanges in the Oval Office.

In a social media post, she said “Trump decided that Zelensky was ‘not in a place to negotiate’” and “directed Secretary Rubio and his national security adviser Mike Waltz to deliver the message: it was time for Zelensky to leave”.

Drawing on further briefing from the White House, she said “the Ukrainians wanted to continue the talks. But they were told no.”

What she says is in line with what we are getting from news agencies too.

In further Russian reaction to the meeting, the Russian foreign ministry’s spokesperson said that “how Trump and Vance restrained themselves and did not hit him is a miracle of restraint”.

And former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev posted an abusive social media post, celebrating Zelenskyy getting “a proper slap down in the Oval Office”.

‘Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, we are working for that,’ Zelenskyy says, as he thanks America and Trump

We have just heard from Zelenskyy too, as he posted a social media update of his own – pointedly and repeatedly thanking the US, in what seems to be a direct response to JD Vance’s criticism earlier.

Thank you America, thank you for your support, thank you for this visit.

Thank you @POTUS, Congress, and the American people.

Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for that.

‘Ukraine, Spain stands with you,’ Spanish prime minister says

Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez has joined the list of European leaders offering their support and solidarity to Ukraine after the clash between Trump, Vance and Zelenskyy.

He has just posted a social media update saying:

Ucrania, España está contigo.
Ukraine, Spain stands with you.
Україно, Іспанія з тобою.

Macron pointedly backs Ukraine over ‘aggressor’ Russia responding to Trump-Zelenskyy clash

French president Emmanuel Macron highlighted that Russia is the aggressor, and Ukrainians are the aggressed people, when asked for his response to a clash between US president Donald Trump and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

“We must … respect those who have been fighting since the beginning,” he told reporters on the sidelines of his visit to Portugal, quoted by Reuters.

No mineral deal signed, White House confirms

Not that we were in any doubt, but the White House has just confirmed that Trump and Zelenskyy did not sign a mineral deal during their talks today.

Trump has not ruled out an agreement, but not until Ukraine is ready to have a constructive conversation, a senior US official told Reuters.

If you’re trying to find someone happy with the outcome of the talks in the Oval Office, we’re just getting this line from the AFP:

Trump-Zelenskyy shouting match “historic”, says top Russian official

Poland’s Tusk publicly backs Zelenskyy after clash with Trump

Polish prime minister Donald Tusk responds to scenes in the Oval Office:

He says in a social media update:

Dear @ZelenskyyUa, dear Ukrainian friends, you are not alone.

Jakub Krupa

Zelenskyy was scheduled to speak at the Hudson Institute later today – let’s see if he keeps that appointment after his White House visit was cut short.

He is also expected in London for further talks with European leaders on Sunday, where he will give them a completely unfiltered report from talks with Trump.

We can only imagine what he is going to say.

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