WASHINGTON — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky left the White House this afternoon following the collapse of talks with President Donald Trump after a clash in the Oval Office.
Zelensky left the White House early and the mineral deal was not signed; the joint press conference was cancelled, Reuters reported.
The Ukrainian president did not respond to shouted questions from reporters asking him if a peace deal that would resolve his nation’s war with Russia was now dead.
The White House cancelled a joint press conference for Trump and Zelensky that was originally scheduled for Friday afternoon.
Zelensky was in Washington for discussions about a potential deal to give the United States access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals as part of a broader effort to end the three-year-old conflict between Ukraine and Russia that began with Russia invading its neighbor.
Trump in a statement, said, “We had a very meaningful meeting in the White House today.”
“Much was learned that could never be understood without conversation under such fire and pressure,” Trump said.
“It’s amazing what comes out through emotion, and I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for Peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations. I don’t want advantage, I want PEACE.”
Trump also said Zelensky “disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office.”
“He can come back when he is ready for Peace,” Trump said.
“Thank you America, thank you for your support, thank you for this visit,” Zelensky said on X. “Thank you POTUS, Congress, and the American people. Ukraine needs just and lasting peace and we are working exactly for that.”
https://twitter.com/visegrad24/status/1895574653034439041
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By DAN MANGAN/CNBC
