By admin 
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy remained resolute after a tense exchange with Donald Trump at the White House, refusing to apologize for the confrontation and emphasizing that the dispute “did not bring anything positive” for Ukraine’s peace efforts.
Speaking to journalists in Ukrainian at the close of a two-day visit to the UK, Zelenskyy acknowledged that public disagreements could be exploited by adversaries but expressed hope that the fallout would pass. He confirmed that while there had been no further communication at his level with the White House, a U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal was still set to be signed.
Defending Ukraine’s Position
When asked whether he felt blindsided by Trump and Vice President JD Vance’s criticism during the meeting, Zelenskyy remained diplomatic, stating he would engage in further discussions with Trump “if invited to solve real issues.” However, he firmly rejected the notion that he had come to Washington to “try again” for support.
“I traveled for 12 hours by train, then flew 11 hours because the president of the U.S. invited me,” he said. “The U.S. is one of our main partners, and it was a matter of respect to be in the White House.”
Pushing for European-Led Peace Efforts
Following his Washington visit, Zelenskyy headed to the UK for talks on an Anglo-French-led peace initiative. He expressed optimism that the effort would yield progress in the coming weeks, highlighting commitments from nations like Turkey, the Baltic states, and Nordic countries.
Security guarantees for Ukraine were also a key topic of discussion at the London conference, with Zelenskyy noting that talks had gotten off to a “very good start” and that more nations would soon declare their positions. However, he declined to explicitly endorse a proposed one-month truce backed by France and Britain, stating only in English, “I am aware of everything.”
Unwavering Stance on Russian Occupation
Zelenskyy reiterated that Ukraine “will never” recognize Russia’s annexation of occupied territories, insisting that any ceasefire must be followed by robust security guarantees that Ukrainians can trust. Despite Russia’s claims to the land it currently controls, Zelenskyy dismissed the idea of permanent annexation, describing the situation as a “temporary occupation.”
He also made a pointed remark about Ukraine’s international allies, subtly urging the U.S. and others to remember that Russia initiated the full-scale invasion. “I don’t want politicians rewriting history to suggest there are two parties in this war and it’s unclear who the aggressor is,” he said.
Trump’s Reaction and the White House Fallout
During the White House meeting, Zelenskyy appeared to provoke Trump by asserting that Russian President Vladimir Putin “hates us” and does not see Ukraine as a legitimate nation. Trump, in response, seemed to defend Putin and implied that Zelenskyy bore some responsibility for the ongoing war.
The Ukrainian leader refused to disclose what transpired behind closed doors after the public exchange, nor would he clarify whether he was asked to leave the White House. Reports suggest Trump’s team may have requested his departure before lunch and before signing the minerals deal, but Zelenskyy simply remarked, “It’s best to leave this to history.”
Gill Bikram Singh