A hot mic was able to capture the final moments of the heated argument between presidents Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy during their infamous clash in the Oval Office.
The interaction between the two heads of state – with Vice President JD Vance on hand to stoke the fire when necessary – became global news late last week, dividing opinion and causing disarray during a meeting that had set its sights on unity.
Despite peace and an end to the war between Ukraine and their invaders, Russia, being the only aim on the agenda, things quickly turned ugly as Trump and Zelenskyy aired their differences of opinion.
What played out in full view of the press was nothing short of a shocking spectacle, with the rest of the world looking on, mouths agape at what they were watching.
In the aftermath of the meeting – which, unsurprisingly, did not culminate in any peace deal being agreed – Zelenskyy and the rest of the Ukrainian delegate were asked to leave the White House, dealing a blow to all those praying for a swift end to the fighting in Ukraine.
While Trump was busy trying to stress how much Zelenskyy needs the US to stand a chance of negotiating a deal with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, JD Vance repeatedly demanded that the Ukrainian president thank Trump and the US for its contributions to the war effort thus far.
In return, Zelenskyy asked: “Have you ever been to Ukraine? Seen what problems we have? Come once.”
Zelenskyy then said “during the war, everyone has problems”, adding that just because the US doesn’t “feel it now” doesn’t mean they won’t in “the future”.
Trump, predictably, didn’t like the idea that his counterpart was supposedly telling the US “what [they’re] going to feel”, and raised his voice while claiming he’s “trying to solve a problem”.
As stated, this exchange played out in full view of the press and quickly made its way around the world. The full extent of the ramifications of the argument are yet to be known, but from a neutral perspective it rather looks as though the only real winner emerging from such a show of division is Vladimir Putin.
Following the debacle, a hot mic reportedly caught President Trump’s orders to his staff before Zelenskyy and his delegates were removed from the White House.
Trump told his aides to take the Ukrainian delegation to the Roosevelt room down the hall. Reportedly, it was here that Zelenskyy and his team were made aware that Trump wanted them to leave.
“You’re right, maybe we should [inaudible]. Let’s have a little something…” Trump was heard saying to an aide as the press left the Oval Office.
“Would you bring them to the Roosevelt Room?”
In the aftermath of the disastrous meeting, Trump has paused all military aid to the Ukraine.
A White House official said: “The president has been clear that he is focused on peace. We need our partners to be committed to that goal as well.
“We are pausing and reviewing our aid to ensure that it is contributing to a solution.”
Zelenskyy, meanwhile, said in statement: “Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer. Nobody wants peace more than the Ukrainians. My team and I stand ready to work under President Trump’s strong leadership to get a peace that lasts.”
What did you make of the meeting between Zelenskyy and Trump? Let us know thoughts in the comments.
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