Donald Trump continued to ridicule Volodymyr Zelensky after the Ukrainian President left the Oval Office following a furious row between the pair, with the US President sarcastically branding his counterpart a “big shot”.
Speaking to reporters, Mr Trump said his meeting with Zelensky “didn’t work out exactly great” and that Zelensky “overplayed his hand”.
He said: “We’re looking for peace. We’re not looking for somebody that’s going to sign up a strong power and then not make peace because they feel emboldened.
“I’m looking for peace, we’re not looking to go into a ten-year war”, he added before flying to Florida.
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Prior to his flight to Mar A Lago, the President continued to mock the Ukrainian war leader: “Well, all of a sudden, he’s a big shot, because he has the US on his side.
“Either we’re going to end it or let him fight it out. And if he fights it out, it’s not going to be pretty, because without it, without us, he doesn’t win.”
President Zelensky had been in Washington to sign a landmark minerals deal with the US. However, that was taken off the table after the row in the Oval Office.
Zelensky and Trump were also supposed to hold a joint press conference, which was also cancelled.
The row erupted after Zelensky asked Vice-President JD Vance how he could engage in diplomatic efforts with Putin, given the Russian dictator has broken previous agreements since the 2014 incursion into eastern Ukraine.
In response, Trump and his second-in-command took turns berating the Ukrainian leader.
The President accused Zelensky of “gambling with World War Three”, while Vance demanded that he thank America for its support.
