Zelenskyy announces new meeting with Trump: 'We will not cede any territory to Russia'
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that he will hold a meeting with US President Donald Trump. The two last met at the White House on February 28. Zelenskyy left the White House after a dispute with Trump and Vice President JD Vance. Trump claimed that he had kicked Zelenskyy out.
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Meeting with President Alexander Stubb during his visit to Finland, Zelenskyy made assessments regarding ceasefire negotiations between Russia and the US. The two leaders held a joint press conference following their meeting. During the conference, Zelenskyy announced that they would hold a meeting with Trump today, noting that they would discuss future steps regarding a ceasefire in detail.
The two leaders emphasized that Ukraine's integration process with the European Union and NATO would continue. Stubb claimed that Ukraine would join the European Union and NATO as soon as possible. Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine is an inseparable part of Europe and that efforts in this direction would continue.
Pointing out that Russia's attacks on Ukraine are ongoing, Zelenskyy stated the following:
''It is clear that Russia has no intention of ending the war. Their words and actions do not align. We will never accept that the occupied territories belong to Russia. Ukraine has no intention of ceding any territory to Russia.''
Comparing Ukraine's situation to his own country's history, Stubb expressed the following:
''Finland suffered territorial losses after the wars fought with the Soviet Union in the 1940s. Ukraine must not fall into a similar situation. Russia must accept this proposal unconditionally. A party that wants peace should not set conditions.''
Finnish President Alexander Stubb
THE DISPUTE BETWEEN TRUMP AND ZELENSKYY
A mining agreement expected to be signed between Ukraine and the US on February 28 could not be finalized. A debate broke out at the meeting when US Vice President Vance took the floor during the discussion between Trump and Zelenskyy. While Trump claimed he had kicked Zelenskyy out of the White House, European leaders sent messages of support to Zelenskyy.
The tension between Trump and Zelenskyy escalated in front of the cameras. The 'high-toned' conversation between the two turned into a dispute after Vance intervened and accused Zelenskyy of disrespect. In footage reflected in the media, Vance and Trump were seen berating Zelenskyy for minutes.
During the meeting at the White House, Trump argued that Ukraine should be grateful to the US, stating the following:
'You are disrespecting our country. You know you wouldn't win without us. If it weren't for us, Putin would have won the war in three days.'
Zelenskyy replied, 'We will never accept just a ceasefire. We will not move without security guarantees.' The meeting between the two continued behind closed doors following the argument. At the end of the meeting, Zelenskyy was seen leaving the White House alone.