18-05-2025
Zelensky meets Vance for first time since White House row
The Oval Office meeting between Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelensky and JD Vance in February descended into an extraordinary shouting match, and it was all caught on camera.
'I think it's disrespectful for you to come into the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the American media ... You should be thanking the president for trying to bring an end to this conflict,' the US vice-president told the Ukrainian leader during the heated exchange.
Mr Zelensky then asked Mr Vance if he had ever been to Ukraine, to which the vice-president angrily responded, speaking of 'propaganda tours'.
'You're either going to make a deal or we're out,' a furious Mr Trump told Mr Zelensky, as his Ukrainian counterpart did his best to advocate for his country's fight for survival.
'You're not in a good position. You don't have the cards right now,' the US president added.
Mr Vance doubled down, asking Mr Zelensky: 'Have you said 'thank you' once this entire meeting? No.'
The acrimonious meeting ended suddenly, with Mr Trump declaring it would make 'great television' and with no deal agreed.
