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It was a meeting to kick off a day of joint engagements – but Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s sit-down saw White House schedules hastily redrawn.

The pair met in the Oval Office to discuss a minerals deal – which was supposed to be signed later on – and negotiations over ceasefire agreement with Russia.

It started politely enough but around 35 minutes in, the meeting took a quick and unexpected turn. Its demise was fuelled by comments from the man beside the US president: JD Vance.

Ukraine latest: Zelenskyy schedules meeting with King Charles

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Watch Trump and Zelenskyy clash

A long-time critic of American support for Ukraine, the vice president berated Mr Zelenskyy for airing disagreements in front of the media – and as he did so, he made a number of claims about topics including the Ukrainian military, official visits to Kyiv and Mr Zelenskyy’s political affiliations.

Here, we look at the VP’s comments and additional context surrounding them.

Ukraine is ‘forcing conscripts to the frontlines’

Tensions began to rise as Mr Vance called the Ukrainian president “disrespectful” – an accusation Mr Trump repeated as the exchange hit its most intense moments.

Mr Vance added: “Right now, you guys are going around and forcing conscripts to the front lines because you have manpower problems.

“You should be thanking the president for trying to bring an end to this conflict.”

His statement that Ukraine is relying on conscription is correct. With some exceptions – such as health issues – Ukrainian men aged 18 to 60 are prohibited from leaving the country and anyone who reaches the age of 25 is conscripted unless they have already volunteered or are exempt.

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The Ukrainians trying to dodge army draft

Conscription is not unusual for armies locked in warfare. It was used by multiple countries during World War One and World War Two, and during the Vietnam War, the US government drafted men to fight via lotteries.

Russia is not using conscription to specifically recruit troops for the Ukraine war. But, with a few exceptions, all Russian men aged between 18 and 30 must complete a year of military service – and some of them have been sent to areas such as the Kursk region during the conflict.

‘Propaganda tour’

In response to the conscription comment, Mr Zelenskyy asked the VP: “Have you ever been to Ukraine that you say what problems we have?”

The answer, as Mr Zelenskyy knew, was no.

Ignoring the suggestion that he should visit, Mr Vance countered: “I’ve actually watched and seen the stories, and I know that what happens is you bring people, you bring them on a propaganda tour, Mr President.”

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, dozens of world leaders have visited the country. Among them are Joe Biden and Sir Keir Starmer, along with then British prime ministers Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak.

U.S. President Joe Biden walks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at St. Michael's Golden-Domed Cathedral during an unannounced visit, in Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, Feb. 20, 2023. Evan Vucci/Pool via REUTERS
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Joe Biden and Volodymyr Zelenskyy at St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Cathedral in Kyiv in February 2023. Pic: Reuters

The world’s media – including Sky News correspondents – have also reported from the frontlines.

It’s unclear why Mr Vance considers these trips “propaganda tours” but it’s a term our Moscow correspondent Ivor Bennett has encountered frequently: he says it’s a phrase “one hears on Russian state media on an almost daily basis”.

‘Zelenskyy hasn’t said thank you’

Another sticking point for Mr Vance was whether Mr Zelenskyy was thankful enough for the US’s help.

“Have you said ‘thank you’ once this entire meeting?” he asked. “Offer some words of appreciation for the United States of America and the president who’s trying to save your country.”

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Mr Zelenskyy insisted he had done so “a lot of times, even today” and a glance back at just the past two years proves this to be true.

On X, he thanked the US and then president Mr Biden on 21 January 2022, 1 July, 2022, 19 August 2022, 20 November the following year, in March 2024 and as recently as 10 January.

He also shared thanks in person when he met Mr Biden in the Oval Office on 21 December 2022, and in speeches in Washington DC on 11 December 2023 and 10 July 2024.

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All the times Zelenskyy thanked the US

Mr Zelenskyy has thanked Mr Trump since his election win in November last year. On 7 December, he labelled the then president-elect “resolute” and said: “I thank him.”

On 12 February, after a “meaningful conversation” with Mr Trump, he wrote: “I am grateful to President Trump for his interest in what we can accomplish together.”

This is a non-exhaustive list.

Read more:
Trump and Zelenskyy’s body language explained
Analysis: The row is a triumph for Russia
Starmer in crisis talks with Zelenskyy

Zelenskyy ‘campaigned’ for the Democrats

Amid the row over a perceived lack of gratefulness, Mr Vance told Mr Zelenskyy: “You went to Pennsylvania and campaigned for the opposition in October.”

The Ukrainian president’s reply was simply “no”.

Mr Zelenskyy did visit Pennsylvania alongside the state’s governor Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, in September last year, but he wasn’t on the campaign trail.

Under tight security Mr Zelenskyy visited an ammunition factory to thank workers for producing vital munitions for Ukraine’s fight against Russia.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy visits the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant in Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S., September 22, 2024. Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY.
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Mr Zelenskyy at the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant in Pennsylvania in September. Pic: Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Reuters

He wrote on X afterwards: “It is in places like this where you can truly feel that the democratic world can prevail.

“Thanks to people like these – in Ukraine, in America, and in all partner countries – who work tirelessly to ensure that life is protected.”

On the same trip, he met with Mr Trump in New York.

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Elon Musk says he’s created his own political party – the ‘America Party’

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Elon Musk says he's created his own political party - the 'America Party'

Elon Musk says he has created a new political party – the America Party –
after asking his followers if he should do so in an online poll.

It follows his public falling out with Republican President Donald Trump.

On Friday, the billionaire had asked his followers on X whether a new US political party should be created.

On Saturday evening he wrote on the same platform: “By a factor of 2 to 1, you want a new political party and you shall have it!

“When it comes to bankrupting our country with waste & graft, we live in a one-party system, not a democracy.

“Today, the America Party is formed to give you back your freedom.”

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Trump threatens to ‘put DOGE’ on Musk

The world’s richest man made the announcement just one day after President Trump signed a tax-cut and spending bill into law on Friday, which Musk had fiercely opposed.

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Musk had previously said we would form and fund a new political party to unseat lawmakers who supported the bill.

From bromance to bust-up

The Tesla boss backed Trump’s election campaign with more than a quarter of a billion dollars, later rewarded with a high profile role running the newly created department of government efficiency (DOGE).

But observers of the two men, both with huge wealth and reputations, wondered how long the bromance would last.

Elon Musk receives a golden key from U.S. President Donald Trump in the Oval Office.
Pic: Reuters
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Donald Trump gave Musk a warm send-off in the Oval Office in May. Pic: Reuters

In May Musk left the role, still on good terms with Trump but criticising key parts of his legislative agenda.

After that, the attacks ramped up, with Musk slamming the sweeping tax and spending bill as a “disgusting abomination” and Trump hitting back in a barbed tit-for-tat.

Trump earlier this week threatened to cut off the billion-dollar federal subsidies that flow to Musk’s companies, and said he would even consider deporting him.

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Is this the most powerful Trump’s been?

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Is this the most powerful Trump's been?

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Donald Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ has passed and he’s due to sign it into law on Independence Day. Mark Stone and David Blevins discuss how the bill will supercharge his presidency, despite its critics.

They also chat Gaza and Ukraine, as Donald Trump meets with freed Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander and talks to Vladimir Putin.

If you’ve got a question you’d like the Trump100 team to answer, you can email it to trump100@sky.uk.

You can also watch all episodes on our YouTube channel.

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At least 13 people confirmed dead and more than 20 missing from girls camp in Texas flooding

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At least 13 people confirmed dead and more than 20 missing from girls camp in Texas flooding

13 people have been killed in the US state of Texas after heavy rain caused flash flooding, according to local media reports.

Officials have also said more than 20 are missing from a girls’ camp in Texas.

As much as 10 inches (25 centimetres) of heavy rain fell in just a few hours overnight in central Kerr County, causing flash flooding of the Guadalupe River.

Judge Rob Kelly, the chief elected official in the county, confirmed fatalities from the flooding and dozens of water rescues so far.

A flood watch issued on Thursday afternoon estimated isolated amounts up to seven inches (17 centimetres) of rising water.

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.

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