Just hours after the White House tense standoff, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky stood firm and insisted that there was no justification for him to apologize.
He underscored the fact that what would come next in the continuation of peace negotiations would depend on the United States' position against his call for a "just and lasting peace" that would guarantee Russia was not able to launch another aggression against Ukraine.
In a hotly awaited evening interview with Bret Baier on Fox News, Zelensky admitted the fiery exchange "was not good" but held back from words of regret. Instead, he seemed to legitimize the fray, calling it an "open" and "honest" discussion between partners.
The incident heated up during the customary Oval Office pool spray, where foreign dignitaries are usually photographed and questioned by a pre-chosen group of media. The opportunity soon turned into a war of words, pitching U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance against President Zelensky.
The U.S. officials charged Zelensky with disrespecting the White House and the country, to which the Ukrainian President responded by emphasizing the huge frustration of having to defend his nation against an invasion.
One of the most important agreements, one that would have provided the U.S. with access to Ukraine's rare earth mineral deposits in return for partial American wartime aid, was left unsigned at the conclusion of the visit.
When questioned if he owed President Trump an apology—an allegation based on Trump and Vance's accusations—Zelensky remained firm. "I think that we have to be very open and very honest, and I'm not sure that we did something bad," he replied.
Although a long-time supporter of Ukraine's opposition to Russia, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham was among those criticizing Zelensky for showing a lack of appreciation for American aid.
When asked if the public disagreement in the Oval Office had hurt his mission, Zelensky acknowledged, "This is, is not good for both sides." But he steadfastly went on, "I can't, you know, change our Ukrainian attitude to Russia."
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