The infamous Trump-Zelenskyy spat that was broadcast all over in real time also made to the front pages of leading media outlets, with most of them siding with the war-torn nation.
The fiery exchange that erupted in the closing moments of high-stakes meeting shattered, at least for now, Ukraine’s hopes of securing the United States as a steadfast ally in repelling and resolving Russia’s three-year assault.
The media labeled the meeting as a “disaster” and “vile,” emphasizing the heated clash between Trump, Vance, and Zelenskyy.
‘The Fight House’
The Sun had the apt headline for the spat: “The Fight House”, further declaring “Ukraine Hero ambushed”.
Trump and Vance lashed out at Zelenskyy over the war, accusing him of lacking gratitude after he pushed back on Vance’s stance on diplomacy with Vladimir Putin.
The heated Oval Office clash, witnessed around the world, resulted in the abrupt cancellation of the remainder of Zelenskyy’s White House visit and cast fresh doubt on the extent of US support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s 2022 invasion.
‘Diplomacy dies on live TV as Trump and Vance gang up to bully Ukraine leader’
Using the Titanic reference to denote the sinking ship of Russia-Ukraine peace deal, The Guardian reported it saying, “And as they slipped into the icy depths, the captain of the Titanic probably assured his passengers that this would make a great movie some day.”
“Never has a US president bullied and berated an adversary, still less an ally, in such a public way. Of course the reality TV star and wrestling fan turned US president had it all play out on television for the benefit of his populist support base – and a certain bare-chested chum in the Kremlin,” it continued.
‘Oval Office ambush’
The Independent characterized the encounter as a setup, saying, “Trump and Vance set up Zelenskyy for an Oval Office ambush.” The publication described the meeting as a carefully laid trap, emphasizing, “Zelenskyy walked straight into it.”
‘Zelensky, seeking a diplomatic victory with Trump, leaves with a debacle’
The New York Times wrote a critical and slightly sympathetic article towards Zelenskyy while casting Trump and Vance in a confrontational light.
“It was meant to be a moment of triumph for President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine, a chance after weeks of maneuvering for an Oval Office meeting to demonstrate American backing in Europe’s bloodiest war in generations,” the New York Times reported.
Contentious Trump-Zelensky meeting threatens US support for Ukraine
In a slightly sensational and confrontational article, The Washington Post questioned the “breach of Oval Office comity” with such a display of diplomacy.
“The heated back-and-forth — with Trump, Zelensky and Vice President JD Vance at times talking over each other — was a striking breach of Oval Office comity, where even tough exchanges have typically happened with calm voices and diplomatic language,” it said.
