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Trump and Zelensky clash in the White House

2025-02-28 19:33:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have been discussing in high tones at the White House - Zelensky has urged Trump to be more careful with Russia, while Trump has accused him of not showing respect, and as a result the situation has become tense.

The two leaders met in the Oval Office of the White House, shortly before an event in which they are expected to sign an agreement that gives the White House access to Ukraine's mineral industry.

However, Zelensky has openly challenged Trump for his, as he said, soft approach towards Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Zelensky has rejected Trump's claims that Ukrainian cities have been reduced to rubble after three years of war. Trump, on the other hand, has said that Putin wants to reach a deal.

"You're not being grateful. It's not a good thing," said Trump, who has had a difficult relationship with Zelensky since the latter was elected president in 2019.

"In this situation it will be very difficult to do business," he added.

"You are gambling with the lives of millions of people," Trump said.

"You are gambling with World War III, and what you are doing is very disrespectful to the state that has supported you much more than people say."

In an unusual situation, Trump and Zelensky interrupted each other and the US president told his counterpart, "Your country is in big trouble. You are not winning... you have a chance to get out of this situation with our help, because you don't have the cards in your hands."

US Vice President JD Vance has been involved in the discussions, and has told Zelensky that it is not appropriate for him to take this position in the White House.

"People are dying, you're running out of soldiers," Trump told Zelensky, as the discussion degenerated into heated arguments.

Trump has told Zelensky that he must either reach a deal or the US will withdraw.

Zelensky has urged Trump not to "compromise with a murderer," referring to the Russian leader.

Before this exchange, Zelensky told reporters inside the White House that he hopes the minerals deal will be a step forward for Ukraine and that he wants to discuss in more detail with Trump what the US can do for his country.

Trump has said the deal will be “very fair” and that a ceasefire in Russia’s war against Ukraine is “close.” The US president has said Ukraine will have to make compromises.

Zelensky showed Trump photos of Russian atrocities and said there should be "no compromises with a murderer of our state."

This high-level meeting will be closely watched to see whether the United States will pledge more aid to Kiev, or promise any security guarantees.

The meeting comes less than 10 days after Trump called Zelensky a dictator and falsely suggested that Ukraine started the conflict, which is now in its fourth year.

However, the two leaders have pulled back from the war of words as they prepare to meet face to face./ REL