- Safiu Kehinde
What began with a friendly conversation and trolls at the Oval Office on Friday would quickly turn sour between the United States President, Donald Trump, and his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky.
Trump and his Vice, J.D Vance, had hosted Zelensky at the White House Oval Office in an effort to make a deal aimed at ending Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Prior to the meeting, Trump had revealed plan to bargain with Zelensky over US extraction of mineral resources in Ukraine in exchange for an end to Russia’s war against the country.
Trump had also blamed the Ukrainian President for the war, labelling him a dictator.
Meanwhile, as captured in video by BBC, both leaders began with conversation on European aid with Zelensky lauding Europe’s contribution to global aid which Trump claimed was much lesser.
“They really gave a lot Mr. President. They really did.” Zelensky had said.
“But they gave much less” Trump said with a light-hearted back and forth disagreement which stirred laughter in the office.
White House Correspondents would thereafter troll Zelensky’s all dark outfit as against Trump and Vance suits.
Responding, the Ukrainian President said he will change his outfit after the war.
“I will wear your costume after this war finishes. I have more serious things.” He said.
The conversation would gradually progress into the real essence of the meeting as Trump began the mediation on the Russian-Ukraine while claiming to be on neutral ground.
“If I did align myself with both of them, we will never have a deal. You want me to say terrible things about Putin and then say ‘Hi Vladimir, how are we doing with the deal?’ It doesn’t work that way.
“I’m not aligning with Putin. I’m not aligning with anybody. I’m aligning with the United States of America and for the good of the world.” Trump said.
The verbal true would begin following Vance’s injection after Zelensky talks down ceasefire deal with Putin.
He stated that he cannot trust the Russian President in a ceasefire deal as he alleged that Ukraine had witnessed Putin breaking 25 ceasefire deals in the past.
“Justice might real not work because I have this experience and not only me. Ukraine, before my Presidency, from 2014, Putin broke it 25 times.” He said.
Vance would thereafter stirred the heated argument as he accused Zelensky of being ungrateful to Trump.
“Mr. President with respect, I think it’s disrespectful for you to come to the Oval Office and trying to relay this in front of the American media.
“You should be thanking the President (Trump) for coming into this conflict.” Vance said.
“Have you ever been to Ukraine that you see what problems we have?”Zelensky cut in.
“Everybody has problems-even you. You have nice oceans that you don’t feel now. But you will feel it in the future. God bless you.” The Ukrainian President added before Trump cut him short.
“You don’t know that. Don’t tell us what we are going to feel. We are trying to solve a problem. Don’t tell us what we are going to feel. You are in no position to dictate what we are gonna feel.” Trump said.
“The problem is, I’ve empowered you to be a tough guy and I don’t think you will be a tough guy without United States. You people are very brave, but it’s either you make a deal or we are out!” Trump said in an affirmative tone.
The US President would thereafter warn Zelensky of inciting a possible third world war.
Meanwhile, NPO Reports observed that amid the heated argument, Zelensky maintained his resoluteness and composure as he kept his arms folded as against Trump and Vance’s raised voices.