Zelenskyy Defends Himself After Oval Office Confrontation with Trump- wna24
Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump | Image:
AP
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reflected on his tense interaction with US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance. Speaking to Fox News’ Bret Baier on Special Report, Zelenskyy said his concerns stemmed from controversial remarks made by American officials in the weeks following Trump’s inauguration.
“It’s not about [being] mad,” Zelenskyy explained. “When you hear the president, vice president, or senators say that Ukraine is almost destroyed, that our soldiers run away, that they are not heroes, that Ukraine lost millions of civilians, that his president is a dictator—where is our friendship between Ukraine and the United States?”
Emphasizing U.S.-Ukraine Ties
Despite his frustrations, Zelenskyy reaffirmed Ukraine’s gratitude for U.S. support. He praised the American people and Congress for standing by Ukraine, particularly during the ongoing war with Russia.
“We are very grateful to the United States for all the support. I’m thankful to President Trump, Congress for their bipartisan support, and the American people,” he said. “Our relationship with the American President is more than just two leaders; it’s a historic and solid bond between our peoples.”
Zelenskyy also stressed that maintaining strong U.S.-Ukraine relations is critical in the face of Russian President Vladimir Putin ’s aggression.
Oval Office Confrontation and Apology
During the Oval Office meeting, tensions flared when Senator J.D. Vance accused Zelenskyy of being “disrespectful.” When asked if he felt he should apologize for the heated exchange, the Ukrainian leader initially refused.
“I respect the president, and I respect the American people,” Zelenskyy said. “I’m not sure that we did something bad.”
However, toward the end of the interview, he offered an apology.
Ukraine Wants Security Guarantees
Zelenskyy used the opportunity to send a direct message to Trump, urging him not to trust Putin. He reiterated that security guarantees remain a crucial issue for Ukraine, warning that the threat of another Russian invasion is too serious to ignore.
“If [the] United States will support NATO … I think that is enough for Ukraine,” he stated, emphasizing that NATO membership could secure lasting peace. He also expressed willingness to step down as Ukraine’s president if it meant securing Ukraine’s place in the alliance. Trump administration is of the view that it is the threat of Ukraine joining NATO, which compelled Russia to invade Ukraine in the first place.