Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky "is not ready for peace", US President Donald Trump said after a fiery row in the White House. which saw peace talks collapse.
Mr Trump stunned the world by calling off a deal with Ukraine with a Truth Social Post that hailed a “meaningful meeting” at the White House where “much was learned."
But, Mr Trump then said: "I have determined President Zelensky is not ready for peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations.”
He added: “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.”
Mr Zelensky had been scheduled to have lunch with Trump, and both leaders were going to sign a minerals deal during a joint news conference.
Instead, Mr Zelensky’s armoured SUV abruptly pulled up to the door of the West Wing moments after Mr Trump’s post.
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The conference in the Oval Office quickly began to show signs of tension as Mr Zelensky and his hosts clashed.
Mr Trump reminded his Ukrainian counterpart how much aid America had sent to Kyiv, telling Mr Zelensky: "Your country is in big trouble. You're not winning ... You have a damn good chance of coming out okay because of us."
Mr Zelensky fired back, warning the US that it would "feel it in the future" if it did not continue to support Ukraine.
"Don't tell us what we're going to feel. We're trying to solve a problem," Mr Trump said.
US vice president JD Vance questioned why Mr Zelensky had not said thank you for US military aid during the meeting. Mr Vance was also heard to say to the Ukrainian leader: "Mr President, with respect, I think it's disrespectful for you to come into the Oval Office and try to litigate this in front of the American media.
"Right now, you guys are going around and forcing conscripts to the front lines because you have manpower problems. You should be thanking the president for bringing an end to this conflict."
“This is going to be great television, I will say,” Mr Trump said as the meeting broke up.
The White House communications team quickly clipped videos of the exchange and shared them on social media. Several Trump aides did so as well.
In the UK, reaction has come thick and fast, with Conservative MP Alicia Kearns, former head of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, posting on X: "Zelenskyy is fighting for the survival of his people.
"We just witnessed what can only be described as bullying. Performative bullying for a domestic US audience.
"Just watching the video shamed me to my core. Utterly shaming."
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey supported his political rival, posting his own assessement on X, which read: "This is thuggery from Trump and Vance, plain and simple.
"They are bullying the brave true patriot Zelensky into accepting a deal which effectively hands victory to Russia. Unless the UK and Europe step up, we are facing a betrayal of Ukraine."
Former newspaper editor Piers Morgan agreed with the MPs, posting: "The only winner from today’s Oval Office debacle is Vladimir Putin… and anyone who thinks that is a good thing for the world is stunningly deluded."
And former Conservative Defence Secretary Ben Wallace observed: "The best response to a bully is to stand up to them. The best thing for Europe and the UK to do is to step up, fund our security properly ( not with Treasury tricks and spin) and be prepared to use all means possible to ensure Putin fails in Ukraine.
"Appeasement leads to wars. Corporal JD Vance should read his history and do his homework. He has never visited Ukraine and was wrong on his facts at Munich."
Meanwhile, various European leaders have expressed support Mr Zelensky.
Emmanuel Macron said in his Tweet: "There is one aggressor: Russia. There is a people under attack: Ukraine. We were right to help Ukraine and sanction Russia three years ago, and we continue to do so. Together with the Americans, Europeans, Canadians, Japanese, and many others."
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission said: "Your dignity honors the bravery of the Ukrainian people. Be strong, be brave, be fearless. You will never be alone, dear President @ZelenskyyUa. We will continue working with you for a just and lasting peace."
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