The talks between US President Donald Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy took an ugly turn on Friday as the two engaged in a verbal spat.
As the public clash escalated, a video of Ukraine’s ambassador to the US, Oksana Markarova, went viral on social media. In the clip, she is seen covering her face with her hands in a facepalm gesture, appearing visibly embarrassed.
White House deputy chief of staff Dan Scavino also mockingly shared the video on X, criticising Zelenskyy. “The Ukrainian ambassador understands that Zelenskyy is a complete and total disaster,” he wrote.
Zelenskyy faced public criticism from Donald Trump and US Vice President JD Vance, who urged him to show more gratitude for years of US support in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Zelenskyy pushed back against calls to negotiate a ceasefire with Vladimir Putin. In response, Trump and Vance accused him of being “disrespectful.”
The meeting was cut short, and Zelenskyy was asked to leave before the scheduled press conference. The minerals deal, which both sides had discussed and promoted earlier in the week, remained unsigned.
Shortly before Zelenskyy departed, Trump posted on social media: “Come back when you’re ready for peace.”
Zelensky later told Fox News that his relations with the United States can still be repaired. “Of course,” Zelensky said when asked if the relationship with Trump could be salvaged.
