US President Donald Trump hosted his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, at the White House. Minerals and the ceasefire agreement were the focus of discussions, while the two leaders did not avoid high tones between them on these issues, which share opposing opinions. Zelensky asked Trump to be more careful with Russia. While the Republican himself repeated his criticism of him, emphasizing that he is not showing respect. The two presidents met in the Oval Office of the White House, and will also sign an agreement that gives the White House access to the Ukrainian mineral industry.
Zelensky also rejected Trump’s claims that Ukrainian cities have been reduced to ruins after three years of war. Meanwhile, Trump himself, on the other hand, came to Putin’s defense, emphasizing that he wants to reach an agreement.
Full Debate:
JD Vance: For four years in the United States, we’ve had a President who would come out to press conferences and speak out against Vladimir Putin and then Putin invaded Ukraine and destroyed a large part of the country. The path to peace and prosperity is probably to engage in diplomacy. We tried to show our chest and pretend that the words of the President of America mattered more than his actions. What makes America a good country is its engagement in diplomacy and that’s what President Trump is doing.
Zelensky: Can I ask you?
Vance: Yes.
Zelensky: He invaded a large part of Ukraine, the eastern part, in 2014. During those years, and I’m not just talking about President Biden, at that time there was President Obama and then President Trump, there was Biden and then Trump and God bless him, Trump will stop it. In 2014, no one stopped him, he invaded and killed people.
Trump: In 2015.
Zelensky: Not in 2014.
Trump: I wasn’t here.
Zelensky: Yes, but from 2014 to 2022 the situation was the same. People died on the battlefield and no one stopped him. We had conversations with him, many conversations. My bilateral conversations with him and I signed with him in 2019. I signed an agreement with that Macron and Merkel the ceasefire. Everyone told me that he would not violate the ceasefire because it was a contract. After that he broke the ceasefire, killed our people and did not exchange prisoners. What diplomacy is the US talking about now? What do you mean.
JD Vance: I’m talking about the kind of diplomacy that will stop the destruction of your country. Mr. President, I think it’s disrespectful to argue this in front of the media, now you’re dragging them around because you’re short of soldiers. You should thank the President (Trump) for getting involved in this conflict…
Zelensky: You’ve never been to Ukraine to tell us what the problems are. Come on…
JD Vance: I’ve actually followed the stories and I know what happens when you bring people on a propaganda tour. Do you object that you had any problems recruiting people into the military?
Zelensky: What? Yes, we have problems. I’ll answer…
JD Vance: It’s disrespectful to come to the Oval Office of the White House and attack the administration that is trying to stop the destruction of your country.
Zelensky: I have a lot of questions, let’s start at the beginning. During war, everyone has problems. You include yourself, but you have an ocean and you don’t feel it now, but you will feel it in the future.
Trump: You don’t know that.
Zelensky: God bless you.
Trump: Don’t tell us how we’re going to feel. We’re trying to solve the problem. Don’t tell us how we’re going to feel because you’re in no position to dictate that.
Zelensky: I’m not saying that, but I’m turning the answer back on the question.
Trump: You’re in no position to dictate how we’re going to feel. We’re going to feel very good.
Zelensky: You’re going to feel the influence.
Trump: You’re not in a good position now. You’ve allowed yourself to be in a very bad position.
Zelensky: Since the beginning of the war…
Trump: You’re not in a good position. You don’t have the cards now…
Zelensky: I’m not playing cards.
Trump: Yes, you are playing cards.
Zelensky: I’m very serious, Mr. President.
Trump: You’re putting the lives of millions of people at risk, you’re putting World War III at risk.
Zelensky: What are you talking about?
Trump: What you’re doing is disrespecting this country.
Zelensky: I have respect.
JD Vance: Did you ever say ‘thank you’ during the entire meeting today? You went to Pennsylvania to campaign for the opposition in October and you have to say words of gratitude to the administration and the President…
Zelensky: What are you talking about?
JD Vance: …that is trying to help your country.
Zelensky: You say that and if you’re going to talk loudly about the war… Can you talk?
Trump: No, you’ve talked too much. He’s not talking loudly, but your country is in big trouble.
Zelensky: I know.
Trump: You’re not going to win this. You have a very good chance of getting out of this situation on our own.
Zelensky: Mr. President, we’re standing our ground, we’re standing strong since the beginning of the war, we’ve been on our own. But we’re grateful.
Trump: You weren’t alone, we gave you, through this stupid president, $350 billion. We gave you military equipment…
Zelensky: You invited me to speak…
Trump: If it weren’t for our military equipment, this war would have been over in two weeks.
Zelensky: In three days, you heard it from Putin, in three days.
Trump: Maybe less. I’m telling you, it’s going to be very difficult to come to an agreement like this.
JD Vance: You didn’t say thank you.
Zelensky: I’ve told the American people several times.
JD Vance: We have disagreements, and let’s go and sort them out instead of showing them to the American media. We know you’re wrong.
Trump: I actually think it’s good for the American people to see it, which is why I let it go on so long. You should be grateful, because you don’t have the cards.
Zelensky: I am grateful.
Trump: Your people are dying, you don’t have soldiers.
Zelensky: I know, Mr. President, please…
Trump: …and then you tell us I don’t want a ceasefire. If you can get a ceasefire now so that you can stop the bullets in the air and stop killing people.
Zelensky: Of course we want to stop the war.
Trump: But you told me I don’t want a ceasefire. I want a ceasefire, but you don’t want it because it’s coming faster than the agreement.
Zelensky: Ask my people if they want a ceasefire.
Trump: The conversation wasn’t with me anymore, it was with a not-so-smart President, not Obama.
Zelensky: He was your president.
Trump: Obama gave you military uniforms, and I gave you Javelin missiles. And the statement is “Obama gave you uniforms, Trump gave you Javelin”. Let me tell you, you don’t have the cards. With us you have the cards, without us you have no cards.
Note: Some images are found on the internet, which are considered to be in the public domain. If anyone claims ownership, we will cite the author, or, upon request, immediately remove the image.
