President Trump predicted that his Oval Office spat with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will make for good entertainment after the two leaders went off on each other in front of reporters and cameras.
Trump, Zelensky, as well as Vice President Vance opened up their meeting to journalists for nearly one hour, but it quickly devolved after Zelensky questioned Vance over what he meant about reaching a diplomatic agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Trump also chimed in, chiding Zelensky for not being grateful for U.S. weapons shipments and for Zelensky suggesting that the U.S. had still not felt the full ramifications of the war.
The arguing, which lasted a few minutes, ended when Trump announced they were no longer taking questions.
“I think we’ve seen enough. This is going to be great television, I will say that,” Trump said, telling reporters to leave the room.
Reporters and television cameras witnessed the whole tense exchange, during which Trump raised his voice and called the Ukrainian president “disrespectful.”
Vance also said disagreements between the U.S. and Ukrainian leaders should be litigated, but not in front of the American media, while Trump responded that it’s important for the American people to see the discussion.
“I think it’s good for the American people to see what’s going on. I think it’s very important, that’s why I kept this going on for so long,” Trump said.
The meeting was initially cordial before Zelensky posed his questions to Vance, who responded with questioning the gratitude and strategy of the Ukrainian leader.
“I think it’s disrespectful for you to come to the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the American media,” Vance said.
Friday’s meeting was initially focused on an agreement for the U.S. to access critical minerals in Ukraine, but the deal and a joint press conference is now unknown.
Monday marked three years since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine after amassing troops on the border and demanding a ban on Ukraine ever joining NATO. Trump has insisted that the invasion wouldn’t have occurred if he was president and that he can bring a peace deal to quickly end it.
