After his shocking meeting with US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy issued a statement on the relationship between the two countries.
The three met at the Oval Office
The Ukrainian President met with US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance to discuss a minerals deal and the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.
But the visit was not only shockingly turbulent but also ended abruptly when Zelenskyy left and Trump told him he was ‘gambling with World War III’.
Zelenskyy met with other leaders
Both countries have since commented on the heated conversation, with Zelenskyy shedding more light on the situation before meeting in a summit with European leaders in the UK to discuss the war, according to the BBC.
He issued the statement after landing
The Ukrainian President issued a statement upon his arrival at Stansted Airport in London on Saturday 1 March, one day after his conversation with Trump.
His statement read, “We are very grateful to the United States for all the support. I’m thankful to President Trump, Congress for their bipartisan support, and American people.”
Zelenskyy shared his gratitude for the support
“Ukrainians have always appreciated this support, especially during these three years of full-scale invasion. America’s help has been vital in helping us survive, and I want to acknowledge that,” the statement continued.
“Despite the tough dialogue, we remain strategic partners. But we need to be honest and direct with each other to truly understand our shared goals. It’s crucial for us to have President Trump’s support. He wants to end the war, but no one wants peace more than we do. We are the ones living this war in Ukraine. It’s a fight for our freedom, for our very survival,” it read.
He highlighted the need for peace
Zelenskyy shared this statement on X/Twitter, where he reiterated the reasons why he had visited the White House in the first place.
“We want peace. That’s why I came to the United States, and visited President Trump. The deal on minerals is just a first step toward security guarantees and getting closer to peace. Our situation is tough, but we can’t just stop fighting and not having guarantees that Putin will not return tomorrow,” he wrote.
“American people helped save our people. Humans and human rights come first. We’re truly thankful. We want only strong relations with America, and I really hope we will have them.”
Zelenskyy’s meeting with Trump was heated
The conversation with Trump and Vance on Friday 28 February was indeed heated, with Trump telling Zelenskyy, “You either make a dear or we are out.” The US President reportedly later recalled military aid to Ukraine.
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“Don’t tell us what we’re going to feel,” Trump told Zelenskyy on Friday. “We’re trying to solve a problem. Don’t tell us what we’re going to feel, because you’re in no position to dictate that… You’re in no position to dictate what we’re going to feel.”
