Featured Image Credit: Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images
Topics: Donald Trump, Politics, Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Lucy Devine
Topics: Donald Trump, Politics, Volodymyr Zelenskyy
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has issued a statement following Friday's tumultuous meeting with US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
Trump, Vance and Zelenskyy met in the Oval Office at the White House where they discussed a minerals deal and Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The visit ended up being cut short - with a planned press conference cancelled - shortly after Trump told the Ukrainian president that he was 'gambling with World War III'.
While both sides have spoken out about the heated row since - with Trump claiming Zelenskyy could come back when he is 'ready for peace' - the Ukrainian president has now issued a further statement as he prepares to meet with UK prime minister Keir Starmer.
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Zelenskyy is in the UK for a summit with European leaders, hosted by Starmer, where they will discuss the war in Ukraine.
It is believed that Zelenskyy has arrived in the UK a day earlier than planned, with a Downing Street spokesperson explaining: “The Prime Minister and President Zelensky will be meeting in Downing Street this afternoon.”
After landing at Stansted Airport on Saturday morning (1 March), Zelenskyy issued a statement. It read: "We are very grateful to the United States for all the support. I'm thankful to President Trump, Congress for their bipartisan support, and American people.
"Ukrainians have always appreciated this support, especially during these three years of full-scale invasion. America's help has been vital in helping us survive, and I want to acknowledge that.
"Despite the tough dialogue, we remain strategic partners.
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"But we need to be honest and direct with each other to truly understand our shared goals. It's crucial for us to have President Trump's support. He wants to end the war, but no one wants peace more than we do. We are the ones living this war in Ukraine. It's a fight for our freedom, for our very survival."
In the lengthy statement, which can be read on X in full, Zelenskyy added: "We want peace. That’s why I came to the United States, and visited President Trump. The deal on minerals is just a first step toward security guarantees and getting closer to peace. Our situation is tough, but we can’t just stop fighting and not having guarantees that Putin will not return tomorrow.
"American people helped save our people. Humans and human rights come first. We’re truly thankful. We want only strong relations with America, and I really hope we will have them."
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During the heated meeting on Friday, Trump could be heard telling the Ukrainian president: "You either make a deal or we are out.
"Don't tell us what we're going to feel.
"We're trying to solve a problem. Don't tell us what we're going to feel, because you're in no position to dictate that... You're in no position to dictate what we're going to feel.
"We're going to feel very good and very strong.
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"You're not in a very good position, you've allowed yourself to be in a bad position... you don't have the cards right now... you're gambling with the lives of millions of people.
"You're gambling with World War III!"
In a post on Truth Social, Trump shared: "We 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.
"It’s amazing what comes out through emotion, and I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for Peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations.
"I don’t 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."