The pair met within the Oval Workplace on Friday, when Mr Zelensky was informed to be “grateful” for 3 years of American assist since Russia’s invasion, and Mr Trump accused him of “playing with World Battle Three”.
His assault adopted Mr Zelensky’s declare that the US president was “dwelling in a disinformation area” managed by Moscow, in response to US-Russian negotiations in Saudi Arabia that excluded Kyiv.
Mr Trump additionally stated that Kyiv was chargeable for Moscow’s invasion and that Ukraine had “began the struggle”.
“Consider it, a modestly profitable comic, Volodymyr Zelensky, talked the USA of America into spending $350 billion to enter a struggle that couldn’t be gained, that by no means needed to begin.” Mr Trump beforehand wrote on Reality Social.
“A dictator with out elections, Zelensky higher transfer quick or he isn’t going to have a rustic left. Within the meantime, we’re efficiently negotiating an finish to the struggle with Russia, one thing all admit solely TRUMP and the Trump administration can do.”
Former comic Mr Zelensky gained Ukraine’s most up-to-date presidential election with ease in 2019. Because of martial legislation, new elections that had been scheduled for March or April of final yr had been postponed.
Following Mr Trump and Mr Zelensky’s heated exchanges, individuals have been fast to talk out towards the US president, together with his former vp, Mike Pence, who acknowledged on social media that “Ukraine didn’t ‘begin’ this struggle”.
However who else has come ahead to assist Ukraine? Right here’s an inventory.
Numerous world leaders share assist
World leaders flocked to X to share assist for Mr Zelensky and Ukraine following Friday’s spat on the White Home.
This included Swiss president Karin Keller-Sutter, who reiterated Switzerland’s dedication to peace in Ukraine. She tweeted: “Switzerland stays firmly dedicated to supporting a simply and lasting peace, whereas condemning Russia’s aggression towards a sovereign state.”
Montenegro president Jakov Milatović echoed her phrases: “Montenegro helps a simply and lasting peace in Ukraine and stands with its individuals of their pursuit of peace.”
In the meantime, Polish prime minister Donald Tusk additionally expressed solidarity with Mr Zelensky, stating, “Pricey President Zelensky, pricey Ukrainian associates, you aren’t alone.”
The president of Estonia Alar Karis, the prime minister of Australia Anthony Albanese, and Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau had been amongst different world leaders talking publicly in assist of their Ukrainian counterpart.
And European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen praised Mr Zelensky’s bravery and warranted continued assist for Ukraine.
Former US vp Mike Pence tells Trump ‘Ukraine didn’t begin this struggle’
Mike Pence, the previous vp of President Trump, grew to become outraged over the feedback final month.
He went onto X to say that, “Mr President, Ukraine didn’t ‘begin’ this struggle. Russia launched an unprovoked and brutal invasion claiming tons of of 1000’s of lives. The Highway to Peace should be constructed on the Reality.”
Mr Pence additionally included the hyperlink to a 2022 Fox Information article titled, “Russia invades Ukraine in largest European assault since WWII”, that was printed on the primary day of the battle.
Sir Keir Starmer backs Zelenksy
In accordance with a consultant for Downing Avenue, Sir Keir “expressed his assist for President Zelensky as Ukraine’s democratically elected chief”.
The consultant went on to say that it was “completely cheap to droop elections throughout struggle time because the UK did throughout World Battle Two”.
Sir Keir can also be claimed to have “emphasised the necessity for everybody to work collectively” with the intention to resolve the Ukrainian state of affairs amicably.
Over the weekend, Sir Keir introduced a deal, which the UK has reportedly signed, involving a £1.6 billion deal to provide greater than 5,000 air-defence missiles to Ukraine utilizing export finance.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz calls Trump’s feedback ‘incorrect and harmful’
Olaf Scholz, the German chancellor, in February swiftly remarked that “it’s merely incorrect and harmful to disclaim president Zelensky his democratic legitimacy”, in a press release to German newspaper Spiegel.
He added: “It’s true that Volodymyr Zelensky is the elected head of state of Ukraine. The truth that no correct elections may be held in the midst of a struggle is consistent with the Ukrainian structure and electoral legal guidelines. Nobody ought to declare in any other case.”
Australia’s opposition chief Peter Dutton says ‘President Trump has received it incorrect’
Australia’s opposition chief, Peter Dutton, additionally chimed in with sturdy criticism final month, as he bluntly informed Sydney-based radio station 2GB: “I believe President Trump has received it incorrect.”
“Australia ought to stand sturdy and proud with the individuals of Ukraine. It is a democracy, and it is a combat for civilisation. Vladimir Putin is a murderous dictator, and we shouldn’t be giving him an inch,” he added.
Whereas Australia’s defence minister, Richard Marles, added that “the struggle in Ukraine should be resolved on Ukraine’s phrases, as a result of the aggressor right here is Russia”.
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