Trump Warns Zelenskyy: “Putin Will Destroy You”
In a tense, closed-door meeting at the White House, Donald Trump reportedly told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that his country faces destruction by Russian President Vladimir Putin unless it accepts Moscow’s demands.
Map Tossing and Curses
According to reports, the conversation escalated into raised voices, with Trump standing up, throwing down maps of the front lines and shouting at Zelenskyy. He said: “If Putin wants it, he will destroy you.”
Push for Territorial Concessions
During the exchange, Trump urged Ukraine to accept Russia’s territorial terms — particularly concerning the Donbas region — as part of a peace deal. Zelenskyy rejected such concessions, calling them a “reward for terrorism.”
Implications for U.S.–Ukraine Relations
The meeting highlights a sharp shift in U.S. posture. The U.S. president appeared to echo Putin’s framing of the war, marking a departure from earlier American support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity. Analysts warn this raises concerns over Ukraine’s dependence on U.S. backing and the outlook for its defence strategy.
