Gabbard: Zelensky’s ‘immediate escalation’ during WH meeting created ‘huge rift’ in relationship

We understand that he is a dangerous adversary and he is the one that provoked the war,

he said

Keep showing no mercy, and never start a fight you can't finish,

he said, using lines associated with the film and series

I'm talking about the kind of diplomacy that's going to end the destruction of your country

In a furious tirade, Vance spat back

I hope you heard some of that cheering in the street, that is the people of the United Kingdom coming out to demonstrate how much they support you and Ukraine and our absolute determination to stand with you – unwavering determination.

Greeting him later at No 10, and referring to the cheers of supporters who gathered outside Downing Street, Sir Keir said

In reality, he is despised by the people of Ukraine, which is why he has refused to hold an election

Writing on his X platform, he said

President Trump is right to ignore him and solve for peace independent of the disgusting, massive graft machine feeding off the dead bodies of Ukrainian soldiers.

Trump's ally then added

Thank you so much, Mr President, thank you for the invitation

Zelensky's first words had been

I think we have to see if President Zelensky wants to proceed. What's the use of having an economic agreement that's going to be rendered moot if he wants the fighting to continue? President Trump wants a peace deal."

The treasury secretary also said on Sunday

Tulsi Gabbardms.

There were a lot of conversations that were happening through different emissaries, both for Zelensky and for President Trump, leading up to his visit there, to the Oval Office and President Zelensky's immediate escalation there was, frankly, quite a surprise,

Gabbard said Sunday

We're seeing this big divergence here between his [Trump's] position and his commitment to these values and the interests of the American people and the interests of President Zelensky and these European leaders. This is an issue that has to be resolved. I know President Trump is committed to doing this, and that's really where the next step needs to lead."

She continued

All President Zelensky had to do was come in and sign this economic agreement and again, show no daylight, no daylight between Ukrainian people and the American people, and he chose to blow that up,

Bessent said

Volodymyr Zelenskyypresident

Thank you America, thank you for your support, thank you for this visit. Thank you @POTUS, Congress, and the American people. Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for that."

President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on X on Friday

Tulsi Gabbardms.

Of course, both sides are going to have their arguments and their interests that they are fighting for,

Gabbard said

President Zelensky, instead of showing gratitude, he interrupted and berated his hosts at a very perilous time for his country, he should have been anxious, I think, to enter into this agreement,

the House speaker said

I was convinced that that was going to happen, and that he would be the one that was powerful enough, strong enough on the world stage to bring both parties to the table,

Johnson said

What President Trump was trying to do in the Oval Office when Zelensky acted so inappropriately, in my view, was to offer them an agreement that would be a win-win across the board,

Johnson said

I don't know what President Zelensky was thinking,

Bessent said

I've been involved in a lot of bilateral meetings like this with heads of state, and dignitaries. There's a certain protocol to these events. But for him to act as he did was rather shocking to everyone."

He later said during his CNN interview appearance

This has created a huge riff in the relationship,

she continued

Keir Starmerprime Minister

I hope you know that we are all with you and the people of Ukraine for as long as it takes, everyone around this table,

Starmer said in opening remarks at the Sunday summit