Zelensky Asks US for Stronger Support After Tense Meeting with Trump – BBC Reports
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wants the US to support Ukraine more strongly, according to BBC. This comes after a tense meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House on Friday.
BBC reports that during the meeting, Trump told Zelensky to make peace with Russia, or the US would stop helping. US Vice-President JD Vance also criticized Zelensky, saying he was not grateful enough for past US support.
After this difficult conversation, Zelensky traveled to the UK to meet European leaders. BBC says he asked them to continue supporting Ukraine, even though talks with the US were tough.
In the UK, Zelensky met Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who promised Ukraine a £2.26 billion ($2.8 billion) loan. BBC explains that this money will help Ukraine produce more weapons. Zelensky thanked the UK for standing with Ukraine since the war started in 2022.
According to BBC, Zelensky later posted several messages online, repeating his call for security guarantees from the US. He agreed that Trump wants to end the war but said no one wants peace more than Ukraine.
BBC states that the White House meeting was supposed to include a deal giving the US access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals.
However, the meeting ended badly, and Zelensky was told to leave before the deal could be signed. Trump later told reporters that Zelensky “overplayed his hand” and needs to agree to peace talks to restart discussions with the US.
European leaders have backed Ukraine after this incident. BBC reports that NATO’s secretary general said Zelensky must find a way to improve his relationship with Trump.
Zelensky responded that Ukraine is ready to sign the minerals deal, but he insists that a peace deal must also include strong security guarantees. He warned that a ceasefire without such guarantees would be dangerous for Ukraine.
BBC adds that Russian officials mocked Zelensky’s trip to the US. The Kremlin’s foreign ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, called it a “complete diplomatic failure” and accused Zelensky of wanting to continue the war. Russia also repeated its demand to keep all the Ukrainian land it has taken.
Meanwhile, Russia continues attacking Ukraine. BBC reports that in the northeastern city of Kharkiv, 12 people, including two children, were injured in a drone attack shortly after Zelensky left Washington. Several buildings, pharmacies, and cafes were also damaged.
During the White House meeting, tensions rose when VP JD Vance said the war must end through diplomacy.
BBC explains that Zelensky asked what kind of diplomacy would work, reminding everyone that a previous ceasefire in 2019 did not stop Russia from launching a full-scale invasion in 2022.
Vance accused him of being disrespectful by arguing in front of the media.
BBC’s unique perspective highlights the growing divide between Ukraine and the US under Trump’s leadership.
While Europe is rallying behind Ukraine, Zelensky is struggling to keep American support strong. The BBC suggests that this situation could cause a crisis between the US and Europe over how to handle the war.