Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Refuses to Apologize Amid Clash with Trump and Vance
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stood firm in refusing to apologize for his heated exchange with former U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance during a recent Oval Office meeting. The clash, which occurred just hours before Zelenskyy’s interview with Fox News anchor Bret Baier, centered on U.S. support for Ukraine amid its ongoing conflict with Russia.
“No,” Zelenskyy responded when Baier asked if he owed Trump an apology after Trump accused him of showing disrespect. However, the Ukrainian leader acknowledged that “this kind of exchange is not good for both sides.”
Zelenskyy emphasized the critical nature of U.S. assistance in Ukraine’s defense against Russian military aggression. “It will be difficult for us without your support,” he said. “That’s why we’re here. Your people help save our people.”
He expressed gratitude for America’s ongoing aid, stating, “I am very grateful to the Americans for all the support. You did a lot. I am grateful to President Trump and Congress. You helped us survive during the three years of full-scale invasion.”
The disagreement in the White House arose when Vice President Vance suggested that Ukraine could seek peace with Russia through diplomacy. Zelenskyy countered by pointing out Russian President Vladimir Putin’s history of violating previous agreements. “He killed our people and did not exchange prisoners,” Zelenskyy said. “What kind of diplomacy are you talking about?”
Vance later criticized Zelenskyy for not yielding to Trump’s stance, while Trump accused the Ukrainian leader of risking millions of lives and potentially sparking a “world war” if peace negotiations were not pursued.
The meeting ended without the signing of a planned agreement that would grant the U.S. access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals—a deal Zelenskyy hoped would secure future U.S. support in the event of a Russian breach of any peace agreement.
In his Fox News interview, Zelenskyy expressed regret that the disagreement with Trump and Vance unfolded in front of reporters. “We wanted to have strong relationships,” he told Baier. “I’m not sure we’ve done something wrong, but I think we have to be very open and honest.”
When asked if he believed his relationship with Trump could be repaired, Zelenskyy replied, “Yes, of course.”
Shortly before the interview, Trump criticized Zelenskyy’s approach, saying, “He’s looking for something I don’t look for. He’s looking to continue and fight, fight, fight. We are looking for peace.”
Trump’s comments drew sharp reactions from European and NATO leaders, who reaffirmed their support for Ukraine on social media. Many indicated that Europe may need to play a larger role in ensuring Ukraine’s defense.
“We will increase our support for Ukraine so they can continue to fight the aggressor,” said Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
“Today, it has become clear that the free world needs a new leader. It is up to us, Europeans, to take on this challenge,” she added.
The tense exchange highlights the evolving dynamics of international support for Ukraine as it continues to resist Russian aggression.
