Aid agencies sound the alarm as Israel's Gaza blockade enters a second month    Asian markets plunge as Trump's global tariff turmoil deepens    Trump's crackdown on university protests is casting a long shadow    Le Pen vows to fight conviction but large-scale protests fail to materialize    Al-Jasser: work is underway to restructure and develop aviation infrastructure    KAU to host Digital Communication Conference in Jeddah from April 29 to May 1    TGA: Riyadh tops with 45% of 290 million orders delivered in 2024    Diriyah to host third IMFC Deputies meeting under Saudi chairmanship    15,135 decisions taken to penalize Saudis and expats for violations    Saudi-European Parliamentary Friendship Committee discusses cooperation during Strasbourg visit    Saudi stock market loses half a trillion riyals, with Aramco's losses amounting to SR340 billion Tariff turmoil rattles Gulf markets    Benzema rescues Al Ittihad with stoppage-time equalizer in thrilling Jeddah Derby    Al Qadsiah and Al Ettifaq share spoils in tense Eastern Derby stalemate    Moussa Diaby praises Al Ittihad's resilience after Jeddah Derby draw "When you can't win, you take a point"    Saudi assistant referee Iman Al Madani joins AFC elite list for 2025    Riyadh Art Week launches with over 50 galleries showcasing global artistic dialogue    Turki Al-Sheikh announces five new Saudi film projects to be produced in Riyadh    Saudi Ministry of Education to showcase innovations at 2025 Geneva International Exhibition    Ed Sheeran weaves Persian music into new song, Azizam    Veteran Bollywood actor Manoj Kumar dies at 87    Screen time in bed linked to insomnia, study finds    Bollywood actress vindicated over boyfriend's death after media hounding    Grand Mufti rules against posting prayers and preaching in mosques on social media    King Salman prays for peace and stability for Palestinians in Ramadan message King reaffirms Saudi Arabia's commitment to serving the Two Holy Mosques and pilgrims    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Trump-Zelenskyy Oval Office clash exposes deep rift over Ukraine war strategy
Published in The Saudi Gazette on 01 - 03 - 2025

A tense and dramatic confrontation unfolded in the Oval Office on Friday as U.S. President Donald Trump clashed with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, bringing weeks of diplomatic maneuvering to an abrupt and volatile end.
In a shocking exchange, Trump berated Zelenskyy for being "disrespectful" and accused him of "gambling with World War III."
The heated meeting, which was initially expected to cement economic and security agreements between Washington and Kyiv, instead devolved into a public rupture that left Ukraine's future military and financial backing from the U.S. in jeopardy.
Zelenskyy had arrived in Washington seeking firm security guarantees and continued U.S. military assistance to fend off further Russian aggression.
Instead, Trump made it clear that his administration's priority was securing American access to Ukraine's rare earth minerals while pushing Kyiv toward a peace deal with Moscow on U.S. terms.
"You either make a deal, or we are out," Trump told Zelenskyy, signaling his intent to end U.S. involvement in the war unless Ukraine agreed to negotiations that favored a swift resolution—whether or not it aligned with Kyiv's interests.
The meeting, which lasted nearly 45 minutes, started with diplomatic pleasantries but quickly turned confrontational when Zelenskyy expressed skepticism about Russia's commitment to peace, citing Moscow's history of violating international agreements.
Vice President JD Vance, known for his critical stance on American aid to Ukraine, took issue with Zelenskyy's remarks.
"Mr. President, with respect, I think it's disrespectful for you to come into the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the American media," Vance said.
Trump, seizing on the moment, raised his voice and lashed out. "You're gambling with the lives of millions of people," he said.
"You're gambling with World War III, and what you're doing is very disrespectful to this country, which has backed you far more than a lot of people say we should have."
The explosive exchange represented a stark departure from Washington's longstanding bipartisan support for Ukraine.
Trump's remarks suggested a shift toward a more transactional foreign policy, where continued U.S. support would be contingent on direct economic and political benefits rather than broader democratic and security concerns.
Throughout the week, European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, had urged Trump to maintain pressure on Russia while ensuring security commitments for Ukraine.
However, Trump appeared unmoved, even as his administration began laying the groundwork for direct talks with Russian officials.
Trump also downplayed concerns about Russian President Vladimir Putin's reliability.
"You see the hatred he's got for Putin," Trump said of Zelenskyy. "That's very tough for me to make a deal with that kind of hate."
The breakdown of the meeting had immediate consequences. Plans for a joint press conference and a working lunch were scrapped, and top Trump advisers asked Zelenskyy to leave the White House.
The much-anticipated economic agreement that was set to be signed between the two nations was left in limbo.
Speaking to Fox News later that evening, Zelenskyy admitted that the public confrontation had been damaging. "It's not good for both sides," he said.
However, he insisted that Ukraine could not afford to accept a deal without guarantees against future Russian aggression.
"Everybody is afraid Putin will come back tomorrow," Zelenskyy said. "We want just and lasting peace."
When asked if he would apologize to Trump, Zelenskyy hesitated before finally conceding, "Sorry for this." — Agencies


Clic here to read the story from its source.