President Zelensky left the White House without signing a minerals deal with the US that President Trump had suggested was a condition for future support for Ukraine.
he last 10 minutes of the nearly 45-minute engagement devolved into a tense back and forth between Mr Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Mr Zelensky — who urged scepticism about Russia’s commitment to diplomacy, citing Moscow’s years of broken commitments on the global stage.
It began with Mr Vance telling Mr Zelensky: “Mr President, with respect. I think it’s disrespectful for you to come to the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the American media.”
Mr Zelensky tried to object, prompting Mr Trump to raise his voice and say: “You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people.”
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“You’re gambling with World War Three, and what you’re doing is very disrespectful to the country, this country that’s backed you far more than a lot of people say they should have.”
In a later post on Truth Social, Mr Trump repeated that Mr Zelensky was “disrespectful”.
“I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for Peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations,” Mr Trump wrote. “I don’t want advantage, I want PEACE.”
“He can come back when he is ready for Peace,” he added.
Now the SNP’s Westminster leader, Mr Flynn, is calling for Keir Starmer to return to the White House and revoke the offer that was made to Mr Trump during Thursday’s visit on behalf of King Charles.
Writing on X, he said: “Starmer had better get back up off his knees and revoke that offer of a state visit.”
And the party’s foreign affairs spokesperson at Westminster, Stephen Gethins MP, added: “President Zelenskyy himself has provided strong leadership and a lesson in personal courage.
“His appalling treatment in the White House today is grotesque and outrageous. Ukraine is fighting for democracy and defending us all.
“This bullying performance in the Oval Office outlines yet again that Europe can no longer rely on the USA and must do more for its own security and to support Ukraine. The security of us all depends on it.
“Today’s events put the tone of the Prime Minister’s visit to the White House in a new light. It is vital that the UK government reaffirms its commitment to stand by Ukraine and work with our European partners to ensure a strong and united position in support.”
Scottish Greens leader Patrick Harvie added: “Only 24 hours ago Keir Starmer was fawning over Donald Trump and telling us how close their relationship was, but surely even he must see from the scenes this evening what a profound danger that friendship represents.
“President Zelensky has shown the self respect and integrity that was so lacking from Starmer’s grovelling performance.
“Donald Trump hasn’t changed. He is the same dangerous bully that he was yesterday, and he’s only going to get worse. It is wrong for Starmer and so many others to pretend otherwise.
“The invitation for a state visit should never have been made in the first place, and it is time for it to be withdrawn. It must be obvious how much danger there is in it, both for Starmer’s government and for the country.
“All democratic leaders need to stand up to Trump and the toxic, hateful and authoritarian politics that he represents.”
John Swinney tweeted: “Today’s events in Washington are a clear cause for deep concern, for shock, for anger. What we need now are cool heads and clear thinking. We must stand firm with our European allies in the steadfast defence of Ukraine. That is where Scotland stands.”
