Zelenskyy warned ‘having the hook’ before Trump’s tense meeting

“Do not make the hook,” warned South Carolina’s Republican, urging Zelenskyy to avoid participating in controversial debates about security agreements, according to The New York Times. “I said, do not enter the arguments about security agreements,” Graham reiterated in an interview.

Despite the warning, the meeting quickly became combative. Zelenskyy, who seeks the renewed US military support for the war effort of Ukraine, pressed for a stronger American commitment.

His plea was received with strong criticism from Trump and Vice President JD Vancewho accused him of ingratitude. The tense weather, which developed in front of journalists, ended with Zelenskyy abruptly leaving the White House, without ensuring a mineral exchange agreement that was expected.

Trump has advised for a long time for Ukraine to negotiate a peace agreement with Moscow, an approach that has worried Kiev and his European allies. When Zelenskyy arrived, Trump greeted him with a pointed comment about his military -style clothes. “Oh, look, you’re dressed,” he joked.

As the discussions resorted to the resistance of Ukraine against Russia, Trump was visibly frustrated, pressing Zelenskyy in possible concessions to Moscow. Vance intensified the confrontation, accusing the Ukrainian leader not to appreciate American assistance.

Zelenskyy pushed back. “What kind of diplomacy, JD?” He shot Vance, listing diplomatic failures that preceded Russia’s large -scale invasion. The exchange deteriorated quickly, with Vance accusing Zelenskyy of not respecting Trump, while Trump warned the Ukrainian leader who was “playing with World War II.”

Tensions reached their maximum point when Zelenskyy warned that Russian aggression represented a long -term threat, even for the United States. “You have a good ocean and you don’t feel now, but you’ll feel it in the future,” he said. Given that, Trump abruptly ended the meeting, telling journalists that the show would make “great television.”

Graham, who had initially positioned himself as a mediator, then told reporters that Zelenskyy should “give up and send someone about what we can do business or change.” Other Republican leaders echoed similar feelings, minimizing confrontation or criticizing Zelenskyy for not showing deference to Trump.

Zelenskyy remained challenging. In a posterior Fox News Interview, recognized the heated nature of the exchange, but insisted that his approach was necessary.

Also read: United Kingdom and France to write the Ukraine Peace Agreement for Trump’s approval, says Starmer