Zelensky thanks Trump for visit after Oval Office clash

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked President Trump for hosting his visit to the United States on Friday despite the two leaders’ clash in the Oval Office, which led to the cancellation of further talks and a White House press conference.

Zelensky’s post on the social platform X after the meeting thanked Trump, "Congress, and the American people."

“Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for that,” he said.

But the post came after Trump called off negotiations with Zelensky on ending the war between Ukraine and Russia following the heated Oval Office exchange over U.S. support.

The meeting, which also featured Vice President Vance, began cordially, but tensions escalated after Vance suggested a diplomatic solution could be reached with Russia to end the war.

Zelensky pointed to years of Russian President Vladimir Putin seeking to take Ukrainian territory and violating ceasefires. Vance argued that Zelensky had been ungrateful for U.S. support, and Trump told Zelensky he is not in a position to have much leverage in talks.

After the meeting, Trump posted on Truth Social that Zelensky is “not ready for Peace” and that he “disrespected” the U.S. in the Oval Office.

“He can come back when he is ready for peace,” Trump said.

The two leaders had been scheduled to take part in a joint press conference and sign a deal giving the U.S. access to Ukraine’s supply of critical minerals.

The deal was not signed.

Trump has alarmed allies and lawmakers from both parties by slamming Zelensky in recent weeks, calling him a “dictator” and accusing him of doing a “terrible job” as president of Ukraine. He also suggested Zelensky was responsible for starting the war, which began with Russia's unprovoked invasion in 2022.

But Trump had appeared to walk back his comments during a meeting with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, in response to a reporter’s question about if he still believed Zelensky was a dictator.

“Did I say that? I can’t believe I said that. Next question,” Trump said.

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