Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyky is shifting gears to his meeting now with European leaders happening this weekend. Of course that’s coming just hours after a fiery exchange in the Oval Office. After that confrontation, the Ukrainian president was then seen leaving, really shattering hope for a deal over Ukraine’s rare earth minerals.
President Trump believed that deal would be an important step for Ukraine’s peace with Russia more than 3 years now since that war started, and reaction to what happened earlier this afternoon is now pouring in. So we have team coverage tonight. Ian Russell takes us to a rally that happened in Minneapolis that wrapped up in the last few hours to support Ukraine, but we want to begin with Joe McCoy, who spoke to Minnesota lawmakers about this exchange.
What did they have to say, Joe? Well, Jennifer, I think it’s fair to say that what happened today in the Oval Office was a historic moment, and as you might imagine, most of the reaction after the meeting is split along party lines, even though support for Ukraine in this war is bipartisan. But you’re either going to make a deal or we’re out, and if we’re out, you’ll fight it out.
Minnesotans and Ukrainians march for Ukraine after tense Oval Office debate
e US and Ukraine is taking a step backwards in front of the entire world. Thank you for that there are disagreements. Ukrainian President Zelenskyky clashed with President Trump and Vice President Pence for nearly 10 minutes over a deal allowing the US greater access to Ukraine.
Rare earth minerals in exchange for American military aid were called off in the Oval Office, but it was such a bad moment for our leadership in the world. Senator Amy Klobuchar was shocked about what she saw. Senator, you and Lindsey Graham met with Slinky just this morning. How was he feeling about how this meeting with President Trump was going to go? I could not believe how well that meeting went this morning, and it was with a number of senators, or about 12 of us.
We gave our full-fledged support to Ukraine and Presidents. Minnesota Representative Tom Emmer praised President Trump on X afterwards, calling him the master negotiator and peacemaker before leaving for Florida. President Trump is saying he believes President Zelenskyky overplayed his hand. Looking for peace.
Minnesotans, Ukrainians march for Ukraine after tense
We’re not looking to go into a 10-year war. All of this leaves the future of this war and Ukraine’s sovereignty in question. If Vladimir Putin is allowed to just run into this nation with Iran, who’s an ally of his, and with North Korea at their side against all of our allies in Europe, that would be a disaster.
After leaving the White House, President Zelenskyky tweeted thanking America and President Trump and saying Ukraine needs just and lasting peace. Trump posted on Truth Social, saying Zelenskyky can come back when he is ready for peace. Jennifer, OK, thanks, Joe. And then there’s this too: in the last two hours, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has called on Zelenskyky, in fact, to apologize to Trump.
Rubio also reinforced Trump’s comments today that Zelenskyky is welcome back when he’s ready for peace. Today we’re not going to be productive any further. When Zelenskyky is ready to make peace and he’s serious about peace, let him come back then, and that’s when we’ll re-engage with them.
Zelenskyy remains defiant after public blowup with Trump
And in the last few hours, more than 100 people wrapped up a rally in Minneapolis to support Ukraine. Ian Russell was there and joins us now, and I understand there are some pretty high emotions there tonight, Ian. Yeah, well, Jennifer, high emotions are absolutely right. Those emotions obviously started earlier today in the Oval Office and carried over to downtown Minneapolis outside the Ukrainian American Community Center this evening.
Bridging connections starts step by step. So upset about what happened earlier today at the Oval Office. Emotions are moving them forward. It was embarrassing to see our leadership. so disrespectful to Ukraine and President Zelenskyky. Red, white and blue standing with the blue and yellow. We have a lot of support today.
Friday’s meeting between the Trump administration and Ukrainian President Zelenskyky was meant to bridge relationships over minerals. Support is strong and we’re happy to support as long as Ukraine needs. Minnesotans bridging Hennepin Avenue. In support, he was supposed to fall in 3 days and then it was 2 weeks.
Trump, Zelensky meeting turns contentious
And then it was the year and still Ukraine stands. Steven Zelenskyky is leading the way. I was dumbfounded. I’ll be frank, upset by what happened in the Oval Office. We all stand for freedom, democracy, liberty, the rule of law, and doing what is right. Upset like the more than 100 who marched Friday night. This is my way of showing my support for Ukraine.
Ukrainians and Minnesotans standing side by side. Bringing awareness to the Americans that we all live on the same planet, hoping to bridge future connections. The Ukrainians aren’t alone despite the rhetoric, despite the discussion today in the Oval Office. The Ukrainians should know that they are not alone.
