President Trump has issued a statement after chaotic footage showed him âyellingâ at President Volodymyr Zelinskyy during a press conference today, saying heâs âgambling with World War 3â.
Trump and Zelenskyy met at the White Houseâs Oval Office earlier today (February 28), and to say it was eventful is certainly an understatement.
After being told he âshould be thanking the presidentâ, Zelenskyy questioned: âHave you ever been to Ukraine? Seen what problems we have? Come once.â
The Ukrainian president reflected on how âduring the war, everyone has problemsâ and just because they donât âfeel it nowâ doesnât mean the US wonât in âthe futureâ.
The 47th POTUS then butted in, arguing heâs âtrying to solve a problemâ and saying Zelenskyy is in âno positionâ to tell them âwhat [theyâre] going to feelâ.
Raising his voice, Trump continued: âYouâre in no position to dictate what weâre going to feel. Weâre going to feel very good. Weâre going to feel very good and very strong.
âYouâre right now, not in a very good position, youâve allowed yourself to be in a very bad position.â
Trump added: âYou donât have the cards right now. With us, you start having cards ⌠Youâre gambling with the lives of millions of people! Youâre gambling with World War Three! Youâre gambling with World War III. And what youâre doing is very disrespectful to the country â this country.â
Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House on Friday (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
The US president has since taken to his Truth Social account to address the tense Oval Office altercation.
He wrote: âWe 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.
âItâs amazing what comes out through emotion, and I have determined that President Zelensky is not ready for Peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations.
âI donât want advantage, I want PEACE. He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for Peace.â
Trump has issued a statement following his heated debate with the Ukrainian president (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
The meeting in the Oval Office has received many reactions on social media.
One Twitter user said: âJesus F**king Christ! Watching Trump yell and demean the Ukrainian President is completely disrespectful. What a disgrace.â
âVladimir is the only leader in the room!!â another added, a third simply put: âEmbarrassing.â
Vice President JD Vance also clashed with Zelenskyy, with Vance dubbing the Ukrainian president âdisrespectfulâ.