DREAM / The Prime Minister resigns and wakes up under the Parisian bridge!

 Kliko këtu për të tjera
Voxpress:

The 10 minutes that shocked the world/ BBC journalists recount what they saw in the Trump-Zelensky fight room

2025-03-01 09:13:43Kosova&Bota SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
The 10 minutes that shocked the world/ BBC journalists recount what they saw in
BBC journalists recount what they saw in the Trump-Zelensky fight room

Myroslava Petsa and Daniel Wittenberg - BBC

The day began with the same cordial routine that the White House reserves for visiting foreign dignitaries. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was greeted by U.S. President Donald Trump at the door of the West Wing with an honor guard and the leaders shook hands politely.

We were in the Oval Office as part of the Ukrainian media group where we first saw the well-prepared formalities and for about half an hour there was a conversation with polite words.

Zelensky presented Trump with the champion belt of Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk.

Trump complimented Zelensky's outfit.

Up until this point, things had been so diplomatic.

But minutes later, what erupted was unprecedented to say the least.

The normal tone turned to harshness and chaos. Voices were raised, eyes were rolled, accusations were hurled, and above all in front of television cameras around the world.

The US president and vice president rebuked the visiting leader, accusing Zelensky of not being grateful enough for US support for Ukraine's war effort.

Tensions rose when Vice President JD Vance told Zelensky that the war needed to be ended through diplomacy.

"What kind of diplomacy," Zelensky replied.

Speaking about the Ukrainian president, Vance told his friend that it was disrespectful for him to come to the Oval Office and make his case to the American media, and demanded that he thank Trump for his leadership.

The reporters in the room then watched with open mouths as an extraordinary exchange of words ensued.

"You've said enough. You can't win this debate," Trump told him at one point. "You should be grateful. You don't have the papers."

“I am not playing cards,” Zelensky replied. “I am very serious, Mr. President. I am the president in a war.”

“You’re gambling with World War III,” Trump responded. “And what you’re doing is very disrespectful to the country, this country, that has supported you far more than a lot of people said they should have.”

Vance replied: "Did you say 'thank you' once in this meeting? No."

The Ukrainian ambassador to the US looked at her with her head in her hands.

The atmosphere had completely changed – and everything had exploded.

Our American colleagues said they had never seen anything like it. “A scene like this was simply unimaginable in the White House,” one told me.

As reporters filed out of the Oval Office, many stood in a state of shock. In the White House briefing room, where the debate was rerun shortly afterward, the rest of the media who hadn't been in the room watched in disbelief.

Confusion set in. There were immediate questions about whether the planned press conference would go ahead or whether the long-awaited agreement between the US and Ukraine on mineral resources would be signed.

A few minutes later, Trump wrote on Truth Social that Zelensky could "come back when he's ready for peace."

The press conference and agreement signing ceremony that were to be held on the East Side of the White House were officially canceled.

Shortly after, Zelensky stepped outside and got into a waiting SUV, with his ambassador following behind him.

They left as the world was just beginning to digest an extraordinary moment.

Despite the squabble, there may still be a deal on the minerals sooner or later.

But one thing is certain: this visit by Zelensky will be remembered for completely different reasons.

The world saw with their own eyes how the negotiations between the US and Ukraine are unfolding: they are difficult, emotional, and tense.

It was clear that this was a difficult negotiation for both sides.

The gift of the belt to Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk certainly didn't save the situation.

And after this showdown in the White House, the real question now is what this means for the war in Ukraine and the future of Zelensky himself.


Në përputhje me standarded JTI

Video

SHIKO KANALIN NE YOUTUBE
×