Diplomatic drama: Trump and Zelensky's confrontation in the White House

This was a scene from the clash between Zelensky and Trump in the White House. A confrontation between the President of the United States and another head of state. Likely, history has not witnessed such an event in the near or distant past.

As you may know, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the White House on February 28 to hold talks with U.S. President Donald Trump. The main topic expected to be discussed was an agreement on mineral resources. Additionally, the two leaders were said to discuss efforts to stop the invasion in Ukraine. The conversation with journalists started well and proceeded normally. However, towards the end, tensions flared. Zelensky faced attacks from Trump and Vice President Pence.

In response to the view that diplomacy with Putin is necessary, Zelensky reminded that years ago, he signed a ceasefire with Putin through the mediation of Merkel and Macron. The leaders of France and Germany assured him that Putin would not return, but he still violated the agreement. Zelensky then asked Pence how diplomacy with Putin could be discussed again. Pence replied that he was referring to an agreement that would "stop the destruction of Ukraine." This is how the "shootout" in the White House began.

Pence then began giving Zelensky several recommendations. However, the Ukrainian president told him that he could only see the problems in Ukraine if he visited the country.

As the argument heated up, Zelensky stated that the United States is protected by a large ocean, which prevents it from feeling the impact of the events in Ukraine. However, he added that eventually, the war would affect the U.S. as well. Trump responded by saying,

"You have no right to tell us what we should feel. We are on the brink of World War III, but you do not respect the U.S. and me."

After that, Trump and Zelensky stopped listening to each other, and the conversation became noisy. Trump claimed that Zelensky had no strong "cards," was not in a good position, and was playing with World War III.

At this point, Pence joined the conversation and asked if Zelensky had expressed gratitude even once during the meeting. Zelensky replied that he had thanked them several times, even now.

Zelensky then advised Pence not to raise his voice. However, Trump immediately interrupted, saying that Pence had not raised his voice and that Zelensky had "talked too much."

The argument continued. Trump called Biden a "fool" and said that he had given Ukraine $350 billion, and without American aid, the war would have ended in two weeks. Zelensky sarcastically replied, "Three days, I heard that from Putin before." Trump added, "Maybe even less time."

Trump then accused Zelensky of not wanting a ceasefire. He made this accusation while trolling Zelensky with childish actions, which became a great moment for social media.

Who would have thought that the President of the United States would argue with another head of state in the White House and, when necessary, mock them childishly? The conversation with journalists was mainly remembered for these events. In the nearly hour-long Q&A session, it was clear that Zelensky did not bow to the U.S. President in many areas and held his ground confidently. Trump often did not allow Zelensky to speak. There were even instances where journalists who wanted to ask questions were not given the opportunity. However, overall, it can be said that the Ukrainian President managed to make his point. During the Q&A, he stated that Putin started the war and should be the one to pay for it. Thus, a brief "shootout" occurred in the White House. This 50-minute confrontation was undoubtedly very difficult for Trump, the president of the world's most powerful country. This was evident even from the fact that Pence supported him at the end.

In the end, this argument delayed many issues and put the fate of the invasion in question. Zelensky left the White House prematurely. The expected agreement on mineral resources was ruined. The press conference with the presidents was canceled. Journalists packed up and left the hall where the conference was supposed to take place.

However, after that, global support for the Ukrainian leader began to grow. First, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk wrote on X, "Zelensky, Ukraine, and Ukrainians, you are not alone." Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez also emphasized that "Spain stands with Ukraine." U.S. Senator Adam Schiff called Trump a coward and Zelensky a hero.

"Today, a hero and a coward meet in the Oval Office. After the meeting, the hero will return to Ukraine, his homeland," the politician wrote.

Former EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell expressed his shame over the disgraceful actions of Trump and Pence.

The reactions of Adam Schiff and Josep Borrell to the events in the White House seem most appropriate. In this conversation, Zelensky appears as the hero described by Schiff, while Trump likely experienced the shameful process explained by Borrell. This meeting undoubtedly went down in history as one of the most memorable political events of the 21st century.