● Orders Zelenskyy to Leave White House Immediately
Segun Atanda/
In an extraordinary turn of events today, President Donald Trump abruptly ended a high-stakes meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, accusing him of being “disrespectful” during Oval Office discussions.
Trump then called off the signing of a critical minerals deal that was expected to bring Ukraine closer to ending its war with Russia, sending shockwaves across international diplomatic circles.
The meeting, which started with high hopes for strengthening U.S.-Ukraine ties, quickly unraveled in the Oval Office.
According to sources, Trump grew increasingly frustrated with Zelenskyy’s approach, culminating in an Oval Office blowup that left both sides at an impasse.
The minerals deal on the table would have allowed the U.S. greater access to Ukraine’s rare earth resources, a strategic move aimed at bolstering Ukraine’s economy and military resilience against Russian aggression.
However, Trump called off the deal, stating afterward that Zelenskyy’s conduct showed he was “not ready for peace.”
In a fiery post on his platform, X, Trump doubled down on his criticism of Zelenskyy, writing:
“We had a very meaningful meeting in the White House today. Much was learned that could never be understood without conversation under such fire and pressure. It’s amazing what comes out through emotion, and I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for Peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations. I don’t want advantage, I want PEACE. He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for Peace.”
Following the heated exchange, Zelenskyy and his delegation were moved to another room in the White House.
According to a senior White House official, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed the Ukrainian delegation that Trump wanted Zelenskyy to leave the premises immediately.
Zelenskyy reportedly attempted to reset the tone of the visit, but Trump’s order was final.
The incident marks a rare and public diplomatic fallout between the U.S. and Ukraine, raising questions about the future of their partnership in the ongoing war with Russia.
As the fallout from the explosive meeting rippled across the globe, European leaders rushed to show their solidarity with Ukraine.
French President Emmanuel Macron, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, and Estonia’s foreign minister issued strong statements of support.
On social media platform X, many leaders emphasised their continued commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and resistance against Russian aggression.
The abrupt end to the White House meeting and the cancelled minerals deal could have significant implications for Ukraine’s ability to sustain its war effort. The minerals agreement was seen as a vital step toward stabilising Ukraine’s economy and strengthening its position against Russia.
Diplomatic analysts warn that the fallout could shift alliances and strategies, potentially emboldening Russia while leaving Ukraine more dependent on European support.
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