Recent recordings from the White House show a heated exchange between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Today, February 28, US President Donald Trump and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy convened at the Oval Office in Washington, DC. The meeting included US Vice President JD Vance, who accused Zelenskyy of displaying disrespect towards both the United States and President Trump.
In response to Vance’s comment that he ‘should be thanking the president,’ Zelenskyy questioned him, asking: “Have you ever been to Ukraine? Seen what problems we have? Come once.”
Zelenskyy emphasized that ‘during the war, everyone has problems,’ and warned that just because they don’t ‘feel it now’ doesn’t mean they won’t experience it in ‘the future.’
Interjecting, Trump stated he was ‘trying to solve a problem,’ asserting that Zelenskyy is in ‘no position’ to predict what the US will ‘feel.’
With a raised voice, Trump continued: “You’re in no position to dictate what we’re going to feel. We’re going to feel very good. We’re going to feel very good and very strong. You’re right now, not in a very good position, you’ve allowed yourself to be in a very bad position.”
He then cautioned: “You don’t have the cards right now. With us, you start having cards … You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people! You’re gambling with World War Three! You’re gambling with World War III. And what you’re doing is very disrespectful to the country – this country.”
Social media users were quick to react to the confrontation.
One user on Twitter remarked: “Jesus F**king Christ! Watching Trump yell and demean the Ukrainian President is completely disrespectful. What a disgrace.”
Another commented: “This is wild.”
A third noted: “Embarrassing.”
Trump’s warning to Zelenskyy about ‘gambling with WW3’ echoes remarks he made earlier on February 19 at the Future Investment Initiative Institute Priority Summit in Miami.
As reported by NDTV World, Trump stated: “Around the world, I’m moving quickly to end wars, settle conflicts and restore the planet to peace – I want peace, and I don’t want to see […] everybody being killed.
“And take a look at the death in the Middle East, and the death that’s taking place between Russia and Ukraine that’s been going on, and we’re going to end it. There’s no profit for anyone in having World War III, and you’re not so far away from it, I’ll tell you right now, you’re not so far away.”