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With the critical minerals deal off, is the US now poised to abandon Zelensky?
Oval Office outburst with Trump does not bode well for the Ukrainian leader, Chinese analysts say
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The blow-up between the presidents of the US and Ukraine at the White House on Friday not only shocked the world in real time, but left Ukraine in an even more precarious position, according to observers.
The meeting with Donald Trump had been seen as a potential diplomatic win for Volodymyr Zelensky in his pursuit of a security guarantee from the United States in return for joint investment in Ukraine’s critical minerals – a move that could also counter Chinese dominance of the resources.
However, the initially cordial meeting in the Oval Office devolved in front of US and international media as Zelensky – pressed by US Vice-President J.D. Vance for not trusting Russian President Vladimir Putin – questioned the virtues of diplomacy with Moscow and Trump accused the Ukrainian leader of being disrespectful.
Zelensky challenged Trump over his approach towards Putin, urging him to make “no compromises with a killer”.
Trump responded: “You don’t have the cards. Once we sign that deal, you’re in a much better position. But you’re not acting at all thankful, and that’s not a nice thing. I’ll be honest. That’s not a nice thing.”
The flare-up began when Vance stepped in to justify the US’ approach to diplomacy after Zelensky questioned Putin’s trustworthiness as a negotiating partner.
“I’m talking about the kind of diplomacy that’s going to end the destruction of your country,” he told Zelensky.
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