It was a high tension, closed door meeting at the White House recently between Donald Trump and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky.
This is where Trump warned Zelensky that Putin could destroy Ukraine if he so desired, as per sources. Other reports spoke about Trump asking the Ukrainian leader to make sacrifices and give up any lost territory.
Sources shared that the matter began as a diplomatic conversation but it did not take long before the tone changed into a shouting match with Trump upset.
Trump reportedly tossed aside maps that showcased the war-front and criticized Zelensky’s presentation, and then pressed him to accept various Russian demands. This includes surrendering of the Donbas region.
Trump also echoed Kremiln language, calling the war a special operation and urging Ukraine to accept a cease-fire alongside the current front lines rather than continue fighting for full territory recovery.
Zelensky entered the meeting seeking long range American weapons like the Tomahawk missiles and stronger support. He left without securing any kind of committments, sources added. Meanwhile, European allies viewed this meeting with concern about shifting American posture towards more conciliatory terms with Russia.