Quotes
I'm just telling that I think that we have to be on the same side. And I hope that the president on our side together with us. And that is very important to stop Putin. And I heard from President Trump a lot of times that he will stop the war, and I hope he will,
added Zelenskyy
He’s all dressed up today,
Trump mocked Zelenskyy in front of reporters, pointing at his military attire and saying ... a patronizing remark that mirrored the way he belittled critics and adversaries in the past
You've said that as a secretary of state, you do believe it's important for someone with such global influence as you have to speak with that kind of moral clarity,
the CNN host said
It’s more than two presidents: [It’s] the historical relations, strong relations, between our people,
he notedThis kind of spat, it's not good for both sides,
the Ukrainian president said, underscoring that
For turning this thing into the fiasco for him that it became,
When host Kaitlan Collins asked what Zelensky should apologize for, Rubio responded ... the secretary of state told host Kaitlan CollinsThey were asked to leave the room. Then they had to be asked to leave the building,
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who had been in the Oval Office for the row, told Fox News of the Ukrainians
He did what he must,
26-year-old Valentyn Burianov told AFP in Kiev, echoing others in the streets of the Ukrainian capital
Your bad days begin now.”
Trump further issued a veiled threat to Zelensky, stating
We have to be very direct to understand each other because it’s very for us, very necessary to President Trump and I’m, with all respect, that he wants to finish this war but not – nobody wants to finish more than we because we, in Ukraine, we are in this war,
he said in the interview (according to Mediaite)
So, I’m not hearing from you, Mr. President, a thought that you owe the president an apology.”
Baier then pressed him againIt’s so sensitive for our people,
Zelenskyy said
Zelenskyy got to say, I want to make peace. He doesn't have to stand there and say about Putin this, Putin that, and all negative things. He's got to say, I want to make peace. I don't want to fight a war any longer, his people are dying,
he addedHe (Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy) says that he wants to come back right now, but I can't do that...They should have an immediate ceasefire...A ceasefire could take place immediately. If you want to end the war, you sign up for an agreement that's going to take a period of time. It takes time."
Trump told reporters after the Oval office meetingI just want to get a deal done, and if the deal happens, good,
he saidHe [Volodymyr Zelenskyy] doesn't want to do that...I want it to end immediately. I want a ceasefire now,
he addedYou are either going to make a deal or we're out and if we are out, you will fight it out. I don't think it's going to be pretty,
he added
I think he's a great guy."
The Oval Office meeting began with warm exchanges and handshakes, with Trump at one point saying of ZelenskyWe're thankful to Americans for all your support, you did a lot, I'm thankful to President Trump and Congress' bipartisan support,
Zelensky said
At this moment, as secretary of state, my job, working for the president, is to deliver peace, to end this conflict and end this war. Ultimately, that is the job of the State Department.”
When additionally pressed by Collins about previously calling Putin a “butcher,” Rubio said