After 50 minutes of arguing, finger-wagging and fury, the only words that US President Donald Trump left out were: ‘You’re fired.’
Volodymyr Zelensky must have felt like a reality television candidate on the US version of The Apprentice – once hosted by Mr Trump – after he received a dressing down unprecedented in recent diplomatic history.
The only winner afterwards was Vladimir Putin, who doubtless enjoyed every moment of Mr Zelensky’s excruciating experience.
The biggest losers were the millions of Ukrainians facing the daily onslaught of the Kremlin’s sickening assault on their country.
Last night there were fears in Kyiv that, following the disastrous meeting with Mr Trump, that the US could pull its military support for their country.
What is any peace deal going to look like after the most spectacular public fallout between supposed allies?
What chance now that Ukraine might recover any of its territory seized and occupied illegally by Russia since 2014?
It was supposed to be a meeting to discuss security arrangements following a possible ceasefire and to sign a multi-billion-dollar deal to exploit Ukraine’s natural resources.
But within moments of Mr Zelensky’s limousine pulling up at the door to the West Wing, it all started to go wrong.
President Donald Trump and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky’s meeting in the Oval Office involved 50 minutes of arguing, finger-wagging and fury
President Donald Trump and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky were seen sitting side by side in front of the fireplace in the Oval Office
The tension was palpable as Mr Zelensky, speaking in broken English and at times appearing very nervous, explained his country’s desperate situation
The moment that lit the touchpaper was when Mr Zelensky suggested that Putin broke agreements to exchange prisoners on President Trump’s watch
They were seen sitting side by side in front of the fireplace in the Oval Office, where, 24 hours previously, Sir Keir Starmer had flattered the US President and produced an envelope from his suit pocket.
Inside, was a handwritten invitation from the King for President Trump to travel to Britain for an unprecedented second state visit. Mr Trump glowed with satisfaction.
And on Monday, which after yesterday seems a lifetime ago, there was Emmanuel Macron, repeatedly touching the President’s knee and addressing him as ‘Cher Donald’.
Perhaps president Mr Zelensky had not watched either of the visits by the French president and the British Prime Minister, as there was no flattery of Mr Trump, no charm.
Meanwhile, Mr Trump’s ‘rottweiler’, the US Vice-President JD Vance, could scarcely withhold his contempt for their guest.
Then Mr Zelensky produced his prop, as Sir Keir had produced his. To his dismay and disinterest, Mr Trump was treated to a dossier on Russian torture of Ukrainian prisoners and images of the devastation in his country caused by the Kremlin’s relentless onslaught.
The tension was palpable as Mr Zelensky, speaking in broken English and at times appearing very nervous, explained his country’s desperate situation. Mr Trump nodded, seemingly from politeness.
The moment that lit the touchpaper was when Mr Zelensky suggested that Putin broke agreements to exchange prisoners on President Trump’s watch, during his first term.
The rottweiler growled, accusing Mr Zelensky of ‘disrespect’, slandering the state of the Ukrainian military saying it had ‘manpower problems’.
Mr Trump, who had previously attempted to play peacekeeper as journalists asked a series of hostile questions, joined Mr Vance in mocking Mr Zelensky.
There were also moments of absurdity as, in response to a hypothetical question from an international journalist, the US President snapped: ‘What if a bomb landed on your head right now?’
Mr Trump also compared his support for Ukraine to what was offered by previous Presidents, including Barrack Obama.
Mr Zelensky visited Washington to discuss security arrangements following a possible ceasefire and to sign a multi-billion-dollar deal to exploit Ukraine’s natural resources
The day started off amicably: President Donald Trump welcomed Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky to the White House
Mr Trump’s ‘rottweiler’, the US Vice-President JD Vance, could scarcely withhold his contempt for their guest
Waving his finger, Mr Trump said he had given Ukraine Javelin rockets to fire at the Russians while Mr Obama had given him ‘sheep’.
Mr Zelensky was then ignominiously kicked out of the White House, shrugging his shoulders and rolling his eyes according to witnesses.
His country’s efforts to secure its freedom had suffered a potentially devastating blow.
Yet after being accused unfairly by Mr Vance of not being grateful for US support, Mr Zelensky said ‘thank you’ four times in a post on X. It is likely to count for nothing.
