Zelensky Cancels Scheduled Events Following Tense White House Talks
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Synopsis
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky cancels planned events after a heated confrontation with President Trump and Vice-President Vance at the White House. The situation has led to significant fallout, including the cancellation of a joint news conference and other engagements.
Key Takeaways
- Zelensky canceled events post White House talks.
- He faced criticism for his conduct during discussions.
- Trump emphasized the need for gratitude and respect.
- Support for Trump came from various Republican leaders.
- Future relations with Zelensky remain uncertain.
Washington, March 1 (NationPress) The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, has decided to cancel multiple scheduled events during his visit after a heated exchange at the White House ended in discord with President Donald Trump and Vice-President J.D. Vance on Friday.
Zelensky withdrew from an engagement at the Hudson Institute, a prominent think tank in Washington D.C., amid requests from his supporters among American lawmakers and experts to utilize the occasion to apologize for the tense Oval Office confrontation and attempt to restore dialogue.
The Ukrainian leader also called off another engagement at the Ukraine House.
As of now, his scheduled interview with Fox News host Brett Baier remains intact.
During the Oval Office discussion, Trump asserted that Zelensky possessed no leverage in the peace talks and urged him to express more gratitude and respect towards the United States.
According to Fox News, Zelensky was 'escorted out' of the White House shortly thereafter, referencing unnamed sources.
A planned joint news conference featuring both leaders was also scrapped, along with a lunch that the Americans were set to host for the Ukrainian delegation.
Marco Rubio, the US Secretary of State, expressed his support on X, stating, 'Thank you @POTUS for standing up for America in a way that no President has ever had the courage to do before.'
He added, 'Thank you for putting America First. America is with you!'
Other Republican figures echoed their support for the President and Vice-President. Lindsey Graham, a Republican Senator and a consistent advocate for Ukraine's defense efforts, remarked, 'I have never been more proud of the President. I was very proud of J.D. Vance standing up for our country.'
Graham continued, 'We want to be helpful. When I witnessed the Oval Office exchange, it felt disrespectful, and I genuinely question whether we can do business with Zelensky again. Most Americans likely did not see a person they would want to partner with, given how he conducted himself during the meeting and the way he confronted the President was simply excessive.'
