President Donald Trump isn’t the first to lose his temper with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky in the White House.
More than two years prior to their historic meltdown inside the Oval Office, President Joe Biden became furious with Zelensky during a phone call, believing the US hadn’t been duly thanked for its military aid.
NBC News reported that Biden called Zelensky in June 2022 to inform him that $1 billion in military aid had been approved for Ukraine.
However, before Biden could finish, Zelensky began listing additional requests for help.
Frustrated, Biden responded by reminding Zelensky of the U.S.’s generosity and the tireless efforts of his administration and the military to support Ukraine.
Raising his voice, Biden added that Zelensky should show more gratitude.
Fast forward to Friday, when Trump abruptly kicked Zelensky out of the White House following a fiery shouting match between the two leaders.
Tensions had been building between Trump and Zelensky, much like the strain that had developed between Biden and Zelensky in 2022.
On Friday, Trump abruptly kicked Zelensky out of the White House following a fiery shouting match between the two leaders
In June 2022, President Joe Biden became furious with Zelensky during a phone call.
Biden and his aides had grown frustrated by Zelensky’s public focus on what he hadn’t received, despite the extensive efforts to assist Ukraine.
Although Biden’s 2022 phone call didn’t escalate into an intense confrontation, the underlying frustration was evident. In recent weeks, tensions between Trump and Zelensky had also been rising.
Trump had called Zelensky a ‘dictator,’ accusing him of holding on to power without calling elections. Zelensky, in turn, accused Trump of living in a ‘disinformation space.’ Trump later backtracked, claiming he couldn’t recall making the statement when questioned at a news conference before meeting Zelensky.
A key difference between the two confrontations is that after Biden’s 2022 call, Zelensky expressed remorse, saying in a videotaped message: ‘I had an important conversation with U.S. President Biden today. I am grateful for this support.’
However, Friday’s Oval Office encounter was far more dramatic.
Following the explosive meeting, Zelensky walked out of the West Wing, slipping into his SUV under a barrage of camera flashes, leaving behind a host of unanswered questions.
The unusual scene left Ukraine’s future uncertain as the country continued to fight for its survival.
Tempers flared during the Oval Office shouting match. Trump threatened to withdraw U.S. support for Ukraine entirely unless Zelensky agreed to his peace terms. He also accused Zelensky of ingratitude.
During their Oval Office discussion, Trump threatened to withdraw U.S. support for Ukraine entirely unless Zelensky agreed to his peace terms. He also accused Zelensky of ingratitude
Following the explosive meeting, Zelensky slipped into an SUV under a barrage of camera flashes, leaving behind a host of unanswered questions
Zelensky stood his ground, even showing Trump photos of the devastation in Ukraine and insisting that he had expressed gratitude to the American people.
The confrontation was unlike any public meeting ever seen in the Oval Office, broadcast around the world. ‘You’re gambling with World War III,’ Trump bellowed at Zelensky during the exchange.
Both leaders were tense and repeatedly tried to speak over each other. Ukraine’s Ambassador to the U.S., Oksana Markarova, sitting to the side, buried her face in her hands.
After the shouting match, Trump announced that he had asked Zelensky to leave.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: ‘It’s amazing what comes out through emotion, and I have determined that President Zelensky is not ready for Peace if America is involved.
‘Because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations. I don’t want advantage, I want PEACE. He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for Peace.’
Once the cameras left the room, Zelensky was escorted to a holding room in the West Wing.
He and Trump did not meet again. National Security Advisor Michael Waltz and Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed Zelensky that his meetings at the White House were over, according to a White House official.
The scheduled lunch between the two leaders was canceled, and reporters saw the uneaten meal left in the hallway outside the Oval Office. The planned press conference was also called off.
Zelensky left the White House about two hours after his arrival, and soon after, he posted his own message on social media.
He wrote: ‘Thank you America, thank you for your support, thank you for this visit. Thank you @POTUS, Congress, and the American people.
‘Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for that.’
