WASHINGTON, March 10. /TASS/. In a letter to the US president, Vladimir Zelensky has apologized for an explosive public argument during their meeting in the Oval Office, Donald Trump’s special envoy Steven Witkoff said.
"Zelensky sent a letter to the president. He apologized for that whole incident that happened in the Oval Office," the US official said, without providing any details. "I think that it was an important step."
On February 28, Zelensky visited the White House for a meeting with Trump. When answering questions from the media ahead of negotiations, Trump and Zelensky engaged in a heated exchange, during which Trump pointed out Zelensky’s disrespectful attitude toward the United States, while US Vice President JD Vance stressed Zelensky’s ingratitude to Washington for the support provided to Kiev. The press conference following their meeting was canceled, and the signing of the US-Ukraine mineral deal did not take place. Trump later posted a statement on Truth Social saying that Zelensky was disrespectful and not ready for the settlement of the Ukrainian conflict.
On March 3, Trump wrote on Truth Social that Zelensky’s remark about the conflict being far from over was "the worst statement that could have been made." He added that "America will not put up with it for much longer." Later that day, Trump said, clearly referring to Zelensky, that if someone does not want peace in Ukraine, that person "will not stay here for long." He also expressed confidence in Russia’s desire to resolve the conflict. The White House then announced that Washington had suspended military aid to Kiev.