It was a gathering to kick off a day of joint engagements – however Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s sit-down noticed White Home schedules rapidly redrawn.
The pair met within the Oval Workplace to debate a minerals deal – which was speculated to be signed afterward – and negotiations over ceasefire settlement with Russia.
It began politely sufficient however round 35 minutes in, the assembly took a fast and sudden flip. Its demise was fuelled by feedback from the person beside the US president: JD Vance.
Ukraine newest: Zelenskyy schedules assembly with King Charles
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Watch Trump and Zelenskyy conflict
A protracted-time critic of American assist for Ukraine, the vice chairman berated Mr Zelenskyy for airing disagreements in entrance of the media – and as he did so, he made various claims about subjects together with the Ukrainian army, official visits to Kyiv and Mr Zelenskyy’s political affiliations.
Right here, we have a look at the VP’s feedback and extra context surrounding them.
Ukraine is ‘forcing conscripts to the frontlines’
Tensions started to rise as Mr Vance known as the Ukrainian president “disrespectful” – an accusation Mr Trump repeated because the alternate hit its most intense moments.
Mr Vance added: “Proper now, you guys are going round and forcing conscripts to the entrance strains as a result of you might have manpower issues.
“You should be thanking the president for trying to bring an end to this conflict.”
His assertion that Ukraine is counting on conscription is appropriate. With some exceptions – resembling well being points – Ukrainian males aged 18 to 60 are prohibited from leaving the nation and anybody who reaches the age of 25 is conscripted except they’ve already volunteered or are exempt.
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The Ukrainians making an attempt to dodge military draft
Conscription isn’t uncommon for armies locked in warfare. It was utilized by a number of international locations throughout World Struggle One and World Struggle Two, and through the Vietnam Struggle, the US authorities drafted males to struggle by way of lotteries.
Russia isn’t utilizing conscription to particularly recruit troops for the Ukraine battle. However, with just a few exceptions, all Russian males aged between 18 and 30 should full a 12 months of army service – and a few of them have been despatched to areas such because the Kursk area through the battle.
‘Propaganda tour’
In response to the conscription remark, Mr Zelenskyy requested the VP: “Have you ever been to Ukraine that you say what problems we have?”
The reply, as Mr Zelenskyy knew, was no.
Ignoring the suggestion that he ought to go to, Mr Vance countered: “I’ve actually watched and seen the stories, and I know that what happens is you bring people, you bring them on a propaganda tour, Mr President.”
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, dozens of world leaders have visited the nation. Amongst them are Joe Biden and Sir Keir Starmer, together with then British prime ministers Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak.
Picture:
Joe Biden and Volodymyr Zelenskyy at St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Cathedral in Kyiv in February 2023. Pic: Reuters
It is unclear why Mr Vance considers these journeys “propaganda tours” nevertheless it’s a time period our Moscow correspondent Ivor Bennett has encountered ceaselessly: he says it is a phrase “one hears on Russian state media on an almost daily basis”.
‘Zelenskyy hasn’t mentioned thanks’
One other sticking level for Mr Vance was whether or not Mr Zelenskyy was grateful sufficient for the US’s assist.
“Have you said ‘thank you’ once this entire meeting?” he requested. “Offer some words of appreciation for the United States of America and the president who’s trying to save your country.”
Mr Zelenskyy insisted he had accomplished so “a lot of times, even today” and a look again at simply the previous two years proves this to be true.
On X, he thanked the US after which president Mr Biden on 21 January 2022, 1 July, 2022, 19 August 2022, 20 November the next 12 months, in March 2024 and as just lately as 10 January.
He additionally shared thanks in individual when he met Mr Biden within the Oval Workplace on 21 December 2022, and in speeches in Washington DC on 11 December 2023 and 10 July 2024.
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All of the instances Zelenskyy thanked the US
Mr Zelenskyy has thanked Mr Trump since his election win in November final 12 months. On 7 December, he labelled the then president-elect “resolute” and mentioned: “I thank him.”
On 12 February, after a “meaningful conversation” with Mr Trump, he wrote: “I am grateful to President Trump for his interest in what we can accomplish together.”
It is a non-exhaustive checklist.
Zelenskyy ‘campaigned’ for the Democrats
Amid the row over a perceived lack of gratefulness, Mr Vance informed Mr Zelenskyy: “You went to Pennsylvania and campaigned for the opposition in October.”
The Ukrainian president’s reply was merely “no”.
Mr Zelenskyy did go to Pennsylvania alongside the state’s governor Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, in September final 12 months, however he wasn’t on the marketing campaign path.
Beneath tight safety Mr Zelenskyy visited an ammunition manufacturing unit to thank employees for producing very important munitions for Ukraine’s struggle in opposition to Russia.
Picture:
Mr Zelenskyy on the Scranton Military Ammunition Plant in Pennsylvania in September. Pic: Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Reuters
He wrote on X afterwards: “It is in places like this where you can truly feel that the democratic world can prevail.
“Because of folks like these – in Ukraine, in America, and in all accomplice international locations – who work tirelessly to make sure that life is protected.”
On the identical journey, he met with Mr Trump in New York.
