Donald Trump has accused Volodymyr Zelenskyy of “gambling with world war three” as the US president cut short the Ukrainian leader’s long-sought meeting in the White House and told him to return “when he is ready for Peace”.
In a joint appearance in the Oval Office on Friday, the two leaders clashed even before the start of their formal meeting, as the Ukrainian president’s bid to improve strained ties with Washington backfired spectacularly.
Raising his voice at Zelenskyy, who had referred repeatedly to his need for US security guarantees, Trump said: “You don’t have the cards right now?.?.?.?You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people. You’re gambling with world war three.”