First reactions from Russia to the Zelensky-Trump spat: 'Slapped as he deserved'
The meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House has caused a wide stir in the international community. Following the clash between the two leaders, statements have come from Russia.
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The agreement that would have seen revenues from mines in Ukraine handed over to the US was not signed. Following the argument between Zelensky and Trump, negotiations between the two countries were canceled. Russian officials shared their views on the spat, accusing Zelensky of lying and wanting to prolong the war. A Ukrainian lawmaker, meanwhile, demanded that Zelensky be removed from office.
Russian officials claimed that Zelensky lied at the White House regarding the situation in Ukraine. Zelensky, who accused Russia of committing war crimes, argued that his country had been left alone. Responding to these statements, Russian bureaucrats stated that Zelensky's
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova evaluated the events, stating the following:
''It is a miracle that Trump and Vance didn't punch Zelensky... Zelensky's biggest lie was his statement that the Kiev regime was left alone and received no support in 2022.''
Zakharova announced that the Ukraine War will continue until the right conditions are met
Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of Russia Dmitry Medvedev, in a post on social media, reported the following:
''Zelensky was slapped as he deserved in the Oval Office. Donald Trump is right. The Kiev regime is gambling at the cost of starting World War III.''
Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) CEO Kirill Dmitriev described the events as a 'historic event'.
Medvedev argued with former US President Joe Biden over Ukraine in March 2024. In their argument on social media, Medvedev and Biden mutually insulted each other.
STATEMENTS OF SUPPORT FOR ZELENSKY FROM UKRAINE
The Ukrainian administration announced its full support for Zelensky. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha emphasized that Zelensky 'has the courage and strength to defend what is right' and is fighting with the goal of a fair and lasting peace in Ukraine. Sybiha added that they are always grateful for America's support.
Chairman of the Ukrainian Parliament Ruslan Stefanchuk also noted the following in his statement:
''Full support for the President of Ukraine. Full support for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people! No one has the right to forget that in this war, Russia is the aggressor and Ukraine is the victim!''
Trump claimed that 1.5 million people have died so far in the war between Ukraine and Russia. According to Trump's statement, 700 thousand Ukrainians and around 850 thousand Russians have lost their lives so far.
DEMAND FOR ZELENSKY'S REMOVAL
On the other hand, Ukrainian opposition lawmaker Oleksandr Dubinsky, who is in custody on charges of treason and describes himself as a 'Trump supporter', demanded in a social media statement that the Ukrainian Parliament remove Zelensky from office.
Stating that Ukraine is at risk of losing US support, Dubinsky argued that the process to remove Zelensky from office should be initiated immediately. The opposition lawmaker claimed that if Zelensky continues to serve as president, Ukraine will face 'serious problems'.