Donald Trump “felt disrespected” by Volodymyr Zelensky during a tense press conference with the Ukraine president and JD Vance. Mr Zelensky left the White House early following the meeting.

A spokesperson for the US president told Fox News: “The President felt disrespected by Zelensky’s rhetoric and demeanor, he was shrugging his shoulders and rolling his eyes”. The extraordinary scenes were played out live on the television screens of millions of Americans and viewers elsewhere, send shockwaves around the world. Within minutes, Mr Trump posted on his Truth Social account: “We had a very meaningful meeting in the White House today. Much was learned that could never be understood without conversation under such fire and pressure.

“It’s amazing what comes out through emotion, and I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for Peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations.

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.”

Mr Trump’s post was rapidly shared on X by Mr Vance, while X owner Elon Musk, a close ally of Mr Trump, posted: “Zelensky destroyed himself in the eyes of the American people.”

The last 10 minutes of the nearly 45-minute engagement devolved into a tense back and forth between Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Mr Zelensky – who had urged skepticism about Russia’s commitment to diplomacy, citing Moscow’s years of broken commitments on the global stage.

It began with Mr Vance calling for “diplomacy”, prompting Mr Zelensky to ask: “What kind of diplomacy, JD, you are speaking about? What do you mean?”

Mr Zelensky: “Mr President, with respect. I think it’s disrespectful for you to come to the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the American media.”

Mr Zelensky tried to object, prompting Trump to raise his voice and say: “You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people.”

“You’re gambling with World War III, and what you’re doing is very disrespectful to the country, this country that’s backed you far more than a lot of people say they should have.”

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