Zelensky’s White House visit comes amid high tensions with the United States over Trump’s efforts to negotiate a ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine war.
Trump stunned Ukraine and its European allies this month when he opened a dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin about ending the war without including Zelensky in the conversation. Trump also falsely claimed that Ukraine started the war and called Zelensky a “dictator.”
Zelensky responded by saying that Trump lives in a “disinformation” universe and accused him of parroting Russian talking points.
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At their meeting on Friday, Trump accused Zelensky of being “disrespectful” and warned him, “You have no right to dictate what we should feel. You are gambling with World War III.”
“I have empowered you to be a tough guy. You either make a deal, or we’re out. You don’t have the cards,” Trump said. Vance told Zelensky, “Mr. President, with respect, I think it’s disrespectful for you to come to the Oval Office and try to litigate this in front of the American media.”
The interaction immediately sparked fury online as critics accused Trump of behaving in a “disgraceful” and “revolting” way toward the Ukrainian leader.
“This is a total disgrace,” California Representative Robert Garcia wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “The attacks on Ukraine, on Zelenskyy, on Biden – a shameful response from an American President.”
Tommy Vietor, a former Obama White House official and co-host of Pod Save America, wrote on X: “These f****** assholes lecture and condescend to Zelensky and then fluff Putin at every possible opportunity. Absolutely disgraceful.”
Former Republican Representative Adam Kinzinger, a frequent Trump critic, also weighed in, writing, “The head of state of Ukraine should tell JD Vance to go to hell, little douche VP.”
Ron Filipkowski, a former prosecutor and longtime Trump critic, wrote: “This is absolutely disgusting. I’m embarrassed to be an American. Revolting.”
Tom Nichols, a staff writer at The Atlantic, said on X that the clash between Trump and Zelensky is a boon for Putin: “This is the video that the Kremlin needed and will celebrate.”
