After a heated Oval Office exchange between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the White House said an afternoon news conference has been canceled and Zelensky left early.
Trump said on social media that Zelensky can come back “when he is ready for peace.” The meeting devolved into a shouting match, with the US president berating Ukraine’s leader, saying “make a deal or we’re out,” and Vice President JD Vance questioning whether Zelensky had demonstrated enough gratitude for US support during the three-year war.
No minerals deal: A rare earth minerals deal between the US and Ukraine was not signed after the blowup between Trump and Zelensky, a person familiar with the matter says.
The agreement was expected to offer the US easy access to Kyiv’s untapped mineral riches in exchange for investment and what Ukraine hoped would be concrete security guarantees.
Mass layoffs: Around 800 employees have been tapped for termination at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, according to two sources. More layoffs are possible today at the weather, climate and environmental agency, one of the sources said. Meanwhile, a federal judge on Thursday halted the mass firings of federal workers at some agencies. Track Trump’s overhaul of the federal government.
Zelensky’s shirt and “approach” were problems, US official suggests
A United States official observing the meeting and familiar with the Ukraine negotiations said they felt there might be problems as soon as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky got out of the car wearing his trademark shirt and not a suit.
“I know that’s his thing, but this moment is different,” the official told CNN.
“Zelensky should have handled (this) differently. As soon as (Vice President JD) Vance sat down, he should have taken a far more conciliatory approach. It’s the future of his country. Not the time to quibble and now is not the time to publicly correct VP or POTUS,” the official said.
Before the Oval Office meeting devolved into a shouting match, Zelensky was asked by a reporter why he was not wearing a suit in the United States’ highest office.
“I will wear a (suit) costume after this war will finish, yes,” Zelensky said, responding in English. “Maybe something like yours, yes, maybe something better. I don’t know, we will see. Maybe something cheaper. Thank you.”
CNN
