Verbal brawl in White House startled Washington, unnerved Europe, outraged Ukraine and delighted Russia
In a heated Oval Office meeting, US President Donald Trump clashed with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy over the Russia-Ukraine war. Trump took offense on behalf of Russian President Vladimir Putin, reacting angrily to Zelenskiy's harsh criticism of Putin. Zelenskiy emphasized Ukraine's victimization and the role of Putin in the war, while Trump defended Putin and criticized Zelenskiy's approach. The meeting deteriorated into a verbal showdown, with Trump threatening to abandon Ukraine if it did not accept a peace deal he brokered with Russia. The exchange led to the cancellation of a planned deal involving Ukrainian rare minerals. Trump's behavior highlighted his unusual willingness to defend Putin and his confrontational approach to diplomacy.
