Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has provided new insights into the tense encounter with U.S. President Donald Trump in the Oval Office last month, revealing he initially planned to offer Trump a symbolic gift before their discussion escalated into a heated argument.
During a recent candid interview with Time Magazine, Zelensky explained that he had intended to present Trump with the heavyweight world championship belt of Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk, knowing Trump’s fondness for boxing and mixed martial arts. However, the meeting took a drastic turn when Zelensky instead handed Trump a folder of graphic photographs depicting the severe human toll and destruction inflicted by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
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According to reports by the Daily Mail, Zelensky had the championship belt placed prominently near his elbow, ready to present it publicly before the press. However, after choosing instead to show Trump images reflecting the harsh realities faced by Ukrainians, the exchange quickly became confrontational, the Irish Star reported.
U.S. officials present at the meeting reportedly told Time Magazine that the graphic images prompted Trump to feel defensive, perceiving Zelensky’s presentation as an attempt to assign blame or evoke guilt over the human suffering. Trump famously warned Zelensky during the exchange, “You’re gambling with millions of people … You’re gambling with World War Three.”
Zelensky clarified his intentions behind presenting the photographs, explaining, “He has family, loved ones, children. He has to feel the things that every person feels. What I wanted to show were my values. But then, well, the conversation went in another direction.”
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Reflecting on the incident, Zelensky revealed that amid the tension, the championship belt was left forgotten on the Oval Office table. “Maybe it’s still sitting there,” Zelensky remarked, uncertain of its fate following his departure. A White House source later confirmed to Time Magazine that the belt was collected by a staffer and relocated to Trump’s private dining room alongside other received gifts.
Vice President JD Vance also weighed in on the diplomatic incident during an interview with Fox News’ Laura Ingraham, acknowledging his role in the tensions. “No, it was certainly not planned,” Vance explained. “What happened is the same reporter had asked two questions I thought were unfair… And, I just wanted to answer the question and, of course, something I said in my answer caused the blow-up, you know Zelensky got frustrated and everything went from there.”
Vance further emphasized his supportive role to Trump, stating, “If I think there is something useful I can say and I think it’s going to be deferential to the president, I will jump in and offer my thoughts.”
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