Did nothing 'bad', says Zelensky of Oval Office exchange

Washington: Hours after the stormy exchange in the White House, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky struck a defiant note, saying he had done nothing wrong that he needed to apologise for and that further steps in the peace negotiations will depend on the US position on his demand on a “just and lasting peace” that will prevent Russia from launching another attack against his country.

Appearing on a widely anticipated prime-time interview with Brett Baier of Fox News, the Ukrainian President did concede the fiery exchange “was not good” but expressed no regrets for his role in it. In fact, he seemed to have defended it, saying it was an “open” and “honest” conversation between friends.

The Oval Office pool spray — a White House tradition for the President and the visiting dignitary to pose for pictures and take questions from a representative pool of reporters — devolved into a shouting match between the President Donald Trump and Vice-President J.D. Vance on one side and President Zelensky.

“I think that we have to be very open and very honest and I’m not sure that we did something bad,” Zelensky replied to a question if he owned President Trump an apology, which stemmed from the Fox News host’s presumption of guilt on part of the Ukrainian President, as alleged by President Trump and Vice-President Vance, both of whom have accused the visiting leader of being disrespectful. (IANS)

Also Read: Putin allies rejoice after heated Trump-Zelensky meeting at White House

Also Watch: