President Volodymyr Zelensky may have been given “the boot” from the White House after “disrespecting” the US in it’s “cherished Oval Office”, but one political expert claims it may have been the result of an outside influence.
Shocking scenes in the White House on Friday (February 28) saw the pair clash under the watching eyes of the world, with Donald Trump telling Zelensky he was welcome to return when he is “ready for peace”.
With Ukraine’s war with Russia and a potential mineral deal with the US on the table, there appeared to be no compromise as Zelensky’s armoured SUV abruptly pulled up to the door of the West Wing to whisk him away.
Earlier in the afternoon, Trump had told him: “You’ve got to be more thankful, because, let me tell you, you don’t have the cards. With us, you have the cards, but without us, you don’t have any cards.”
And he later told reporters: “I don’t want advantage, I want PEACE. He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for peace.”
Zelensky responded via X, meanwhile, stating: “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.”
Over on TikTok, Chair of European Movement UK, Mike Galsworthy had some harsh words for 78-year old Trump, claiming Vladimir Putin may have impacted talks. “Suddenly we saw a man who is not comfortable in his own power,” Galsworthy said of Trump. “That was not just disgusting behaviour. It was also weird.”
Galsworthy went on to point out that “something changed” in Trump’s demeanour from his recent meetings with French President, Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer to that with Zelensky. “Something threw Trump off plan and made him incredibly nervous, uncomfortable and needing to spoil his own efforts,” he said.
He continued, adding that no longer was Trump “charming” his fellow leaders, but instead being “rude, aggressive and bullying” with JD Vance by his side. “It didn’t look like he was in a strong place doing it – he seemed wound up, nervous and tetchy and having a go for the sake of it.”
Galsworthy closed by pondering what Putin must “have on Trump” to prevent the minerals deal with Ukraine being signed, admitting he’s convinced the Russian forced the “plug to be pulled” via a “threat”.
“This was an ambush,” one TikTok user alleged in response. “They set Zelensky up. Vance was rehearsed. Trump looked more defeated than defiant. His tantrum spoke volumes. Cut him out of the any deals.”
A second claimed: “Trump never intended to help Ukraine. Thought he could bully Zelensky to get something for nothing, which Putin wouldn’t care about. Zelensky refused to sign without reassurances. Trump raged.”
And a third concurred: “Listening to your video here I totally agree with what you’re saying. Something is up with Trump, Putin definitely has something on him and yes, we all need to unite together.”
However, another person added: “It wasn’t just Trump and Vance. The others behind the cameras in Trump’s Cabinet were all making comments to Zelensky, questioning why he did not wear a suit.” Whilst a fifth shut down any involvement from Putin, penning: “I don’t think Putin has something. This is typical behaviour from a narcissist when he is contradicted. No matter the subject. They lose control and their mind.”
