SNP slams 'grotesque and outrageous' treatment of President Zelenskyy at White House

The SNP has said President Donald Trump’s treatment of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House was appalling.

Trump shouted at Ukraine’s leader during an extraordinary meeting in the Oval Office, berating President Zelenskyy for “gambling with millions of lives” and suggesting his actions could trigger World War Three.

The last ten minutes of the nearly 45-minute engagement devolved into a tense back and forth between Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Zelenskyy — who urged scepticism about Russia’s commitment to diplomacy, citing Moscow’s years of broken commitments on the global stage.

It began with Vance telling Zelenskyy: “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.”

Zelenskyy tried to object, prompting Trump to raise his voice and say: “You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people.”

“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, Trump repeated that Zelenskyy 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,” Trump wrote. “I don’t want advantage, I want PEACE.”

“He can come back when he is ready for Peace,” he added.

Zelenskyy had been scheduled to have lunch with Trump and both leaders were going to sign a minerals deal during a joint news conference. Instead, Zelenskyy’s armoured SUV abruptly pulled up to the door of the West Wing moments after Trump’s post.

SNP Foreign Affairs spokesperson Stephen Gethins MP has branded the “bullying performance” in the White House as “grotesque and outrageous.”

He has urged the UK Government to solidify its support of Ukraine and work alongside Europe. Gethins stated that the continent could “no longer rely on the USA”.

The SNP Foreign Affairs spokesperson said: “Earlier this week, I visited Kyiv to mark the third anniversary of Putin’s illegal invasion, and saw first hand the impact it has had on Ukraine.

“From the opening days of the invasion, the people of Ukraine have shown heroic opposition to the brutality of Putin’s regime and his illegal war of aggression. 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.”