Ukraine’s Zelenskyy Not Apologizing For Verbal Clash With U.S. President

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News

KYIV/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said late Friday he doesn’t apologize for the blowup with U.S. President Donald J. Trump about the war in his nation.

Yet he also told U.S. broadcaster Fox News that he respects the American leader and believes the relationship could be salvaged.

“Yes, of course, because it’s relations more than two presidents. It’s the historical relations, strong relations between our people. And that’s why I always began…to thank your people from our people,” Zelenskyy said during an on the Fox News’ “Special Report” program.

“Of course, [we are] thankful to the president and, of course, to Congress. But first of all, to your people… we wanted to have all these strong relations where it counted. We will have it.”

When asked about the heated exchange, Zelenskyy said he was “not sure we did something bad” but conceded the dustup was “bad for both sides.”

His meeting with President Trump and Vice President JD Vance erupted into a history-making shouting match at the White House Friday that was seen worldwide.

Zelenskyy traveled to the U.S. to meet with Trump after the commander-in-chief said a peace negotiation to end the war between Ukraine and Russia is in its final stages.

NO DEAL

The Trump administration was also working to ink an agreement with Ukraine that would allow the U.S. access to Ukraine’s minerals in exchange for support the U.S. offered the nation since the war broke out in 2022 as part of the peace deal.

The Oval Office throwdown led to a canceled press conference, a minerals deal off the table, and Trump asking the Ukrainian president to leave, a White House official confirmed.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz reportedly showed him the door.

Later in the night, Trump ruled out an immediate resumption of talks with Zelensky. “Well, he says he wants it now. He wants to come back immediately, but I can’t do that,” Trump said Friday during his first public appearance after the confrontation.

Trump said that Zelensky had “overplayed his hand.” He accused the Ukrainian president of wanting to continue the war with Russia. “I want a ceasefire now,” Trump told reporters at the White House. He said he wanted the fighting in Ukraine to end “immediately.” Trump accused Zelensky of “looking for something I’m not looking for.”

Trump stated, “He just wants to keep fighting, fighting, fighting.”

Trump added that he had spoken often with Russian President Vladimir Putin and that Putin also “wants to put an end to it.” Zelenskyy responded, referring to Putin, that “no compromises should be made with a killer on our territory.”

SEEKING PEACE

In the interview with Fox News, Zelensky stressed that “no one wants peace as much as we do,” but he added that Ukraine needs to be in a strong position. He also said he wants Trump to be more on Ukraine’s side.

The exact numbers for financial assistance to Ukraine vary slightly depending on what is considered aid.

However, according to the Council on Foreign Relations, the U.S. Congress has appropriated $175 billion for aid to Ukraine since 2022.

All European assistance to Ukraine between January 2022 and December 2024 totals roughly $138.7 billion, the Kiel Institute, a German-based think tank, estimates, with the U.S. contributing $119.7 billion in that same time frame.

After leaving the White House, Zelenskyy posted on X a social media message expressing gratitude to the U.S. for its support.

Copyright 1999-2025 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.


Latest News from Worthy News

Supreme Court Clears Path for Trump Administration to Proceed with Federal Workforce Cuts
Supreme Court Clears Path for Trump Administration to Proceed with Federal Workforce Cuts

The Supreme Court on Tuesday lifted a lower court injunction that had blocked the Trump administration from carrying out mass layoffs and sweeping structural changes across the federal government, allowing the president’s ambitious reorganization plan to move forward while litigation continues.

Trump Unveils Sweeping Tariff Increases on Global Imports, Targets Brazil Over Bolsonaro Trial
Trump Unveils Sweeping Tariff Increases on Global Imports, Targets Brazil Over Bolsonaro Trial

President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced a sweeping escalation in his global tariff policy, issuing formal letters to eight more countries warning that steep import duties will take effect on August 1 unless new trade agreements are reached. The move marks the latest salvo in Trump’s aggressive “America First” trade agenda, which he says is designed to correct decades of unfair trade practices and ballooning U.S. deficits.

Hostage Deal Nearing Final Stage as Israel, Hamas Haggle Over IDF Presence in Gaza During Ceasefire
Hostage Deal Nearing Final Stage as Israel, Hamas Haggle Over IDF Presence in Gaza During Ceasefire

Negotiations between Israel and Hamas are inching toward a potential 60-day ceasefire and hostage release deal, but a core dispute remains unresolved: the deployment of Israeli troops in Gaza throughout the truce period. While both sides agree that significant progress has been made, talks in Doha are intensifying over troop presence, humanitarian aid delivery, and the long-term status of the war.

IDF Raids in Southern Lebanon Target Hezbollah Weapon Sites and Infrastructure
IDF Raids in Southern Lebanon Target Hezbollah Weapon Sites and Infrastructure

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed Wednesday that it has conducted a series of targeted ground operations in southern Lebanon aimed at dismantling Hezbollah’s military presence and preventing the Iran-backed terror group from re-establishing infrastructure near the border. The raids, described as “special, targeted operations,” were carried out over the past several days in response to repeated ceasefire violations by Hezbollah.

Governor of West Java Demands Justice After Muslim Mob Attacks Christian Retreat
Governor of West Java Demands Justice After Muslim Mob Attacks Christian Retreat

Despite a previously signed agreement by Christian leaders to avoid legal action, the governor of West Java has called for full prosecution of a violent June 27 mob attack on a Christian youth retreat, describing it as a “serious criminal matter” that must not go unpunished.

Trump Administration Launches Crackdown on Chinese Ownership of U.S. Farmland
Trump Administration Launches Crackdown on Chinese Ownership of U.S. Farmland

In a sweeping move to safeguard America’s agricultural integrity and national security, the Trump administration has unveiled a comprehensive action plan to ban Chinese ownership of U.S. farmland and root out foreign influence in the agricultural sector.

Attacks Against Ice Up 700%, 10 Arrested In ‘Planned Ambush’ In North Texas
Attacks Against Ice Up 700%, 10 Arrested In ‘Planned Ambush’ In North Texas

Ten people have been arrested so far in a “planned ambush” of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in north Texas.