Despite the passage of more than a week since the stormy meeting between US President Donald Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky, and the violent verbal altercation that erupted in front of the media and the entire world, the latter has stuck to his position, refusing to apologize.
On February 28, after being expelled from the White House, Zelensky confirmed that he would not apologize to Trump.
Although he later softened his position, stressing that he has the utmost respect and gratitude for the US president, he did not apologize, contenting himself with “expressing his regret” for what happened that day. His advisor recently reiterated that Zelensky will not apologize to Trump.
Mykhailo Podolyak, the Ukrainian president’s advisor, confirmed that Zelensky will not apologize to the US president, considering that their conversation in the White House was useful.
He added in an interview with the French magazine “Le Point” that the Ukrainian president “was absolutely right in form and content when he tried to convey his basic idea to the Americans, which is that the war will not stop unless Russia is forced to make concessions.”
In addition, he considered that the meeting was “useful in some ways.” The presidential advisor added, saying, “By highlighting our differences, different points of view can be clarified.”
Trump had rebuked his Ukrainian guest on February 28, considering that he was seeking to ignite a third world war.
He also criticized him for not showing more gratitude to Washington, which has sent millions to help Ukraine over the past three years.
He also stopped a previously scheduled shipment of military aid to Kiev, and the US intelligence announced a temporary suspension of its work with the Ukrainian authorities.
This exacerbated Ukrainian and European concerns alike, and prompted Zelensky later to emphasize his country’s commitment to peace and its keenness to maintain strong relations with Washington.
