Ukrainian President Refuses to Apologize, Calls US Support Crucial for Defense Against Russia
Washington, D.C., March 1: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has refused to apologize for the heated altercation with US President Donald Trump during their Oval Office meeting on Friday, but admitted the episode was “not good for both sides.”
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Fox News, Zelenskyy expressed concern over potential US withdrawal of support, stating that it would make defending Ukraine against Russia “difficult.”
“Please be correct. I want to be polite. But no, I don’t think we did something bad,” Zelenskyy said when asked if he owed Trump an apology.
Tensions Rise as Ukraine Questions US Support
The confrontation, which was televised worldwide, came amid growing speculation about Trump’s stance on Ukraine and his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
🔹 Zelenskyy dismissed claims that the clash was pre-planned, insisting that it stemmed from strong remarks made about Ukraine during the meeting.
🔹 He questioned the US commitment to Ukraine, pointedly asking: “Where is our friendship?”
🔹 He defended the proposed mineral deal, calling it an essential part of “the structure of the security guarantee.”
Trump-Putin Relations: A Cause for Concern?
With Trump often accused of being too close to Putin, Zelenskyy was asked whether the US President is leaning toward Russia.
“I want him to be in the middle. I want him to be on our side,” Zelenskyy responded.
Can Trump-Zelenskyy Relations Be Repaired?
Despite the public fallout, Zelenskyy remained optimistic about mending ties with Trump.
“Yes, of course,” he said when asked if their relationship could be salvaged.
Zelenskyy ended the interview by apologizing—not to Trump, but to the world for the incident.
“We are thankful and sorry for this. I mean this, we wanted very much to have strong relations,” he concluded.
With US-Ukraine relations now facing uncertainty, the coming weeks will be critical in determining whether Washington remains Kyiv’s strongest ally—or if the cracks from this clash will deepen.
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Trump vs Zelenskyy, US-Ukraine Relations, Oval Office Clash, Ukraine War, Trump Putin Relations, Ukraine Military Aid, White House Diplomacy, Fox News Interview, Foreign Policy, Geopolitics