Zelensky gifts Trump Ukraine's top sports honour in strained White House visit

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived at the White House on Friday with a special gift for Donald Trump The present Ukrainersquos most prestigious sports honour was Oleksandr Usykrsquos undisputed heavyweight world championship belt which Usyk won after defeating Tyson Fury The gesture appeared to be Zelenskys attempt to mend relations with Trump before a highly charged and contentious meeting between the two leaders along with Senator JD VanceZelensky just gifted Trump the belt of World Heavyweight Champion Olexander Usyk pictwittercomVETuQ2k8fmmdash Jay in Kyiv JayinKyiv February 28 2025Tensions quickly escalated during the Oval Office discussion where the trio found themselves at odds over a range of issues particularly the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine The heated exchange led to Zelensky being swiftly escorted out of the White House prompting Trump to claim that the Ukrainian President had overstayed his welcome and attempted to exert his influence on the United StatesI would say it didnt work out exactly great from his stand point He very much overplayed his hand President Trump remarked Were looking for peace Were not looking to go into a 10 year war and play games It was my impression if we sign up hes looking for something Im not looking for Hes looking to fight fight fight and end in death 2000 people died this week young Ukrainians and Russians I care about them I care about everybody Hes dealing with a weak set of cards If we sign hes dealing with a strong set of cards but he wont make peace Russian President Putin wants to end itThis is a man who wants to get us signed up and keep fighting but were not doing that Hes got to say he wants to make peace I dont want to fight a war any longer His people are dying He doesnt have the cardsFollowing the meeting Trump took to Truth Social to share his account of the proceedings accusing Zelensky of being disrespectful ldquoI 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 negotiationsrdquo the 78yearold former president wroteldquoI donrsquot want advantage I want PEACE He can come back when he is ready for PeacepictwittercomJa8HQTFpf7mdash Donald J Trump realDonaldTrump February 28 2025Despite the abrupt end to his White House visit and the cancellation of a joint press conference Zelensky expressed his gratitude to the United StatesThank you America thank you for your support thank you for this visit Zelensky wrote in an X post after the meeting Thank you POTUS Congress and the American people Ukraine needs just and lasting peace and we are working exactly for thatThank you America thank you for your support thank you for this visit Thank you POTUS Congress and the American people Ukraine needs just and lasting peace and we are working exactly for thatmdash Volodymyr Zelenskyy ZelenskyyUa February 28 2025