VOLODYMYR Zelensky reportedly shouted at Donald Trump’s envoy leaving the official trembling and shaken amid a furious row.
The US President is pushing for a quick peace and wants Ukraine to sign over resource rights to pay for military support.
But Trump had asked for a staggering amount in payback from Ukraine – demanding £400bn in the original offer.
In a closed-door meeting in Kyiv on February 12, an “angry” Zelensky blasted Bessent for the offer which the envoy demanded he sign then and there, the Financial Times reports.
That left Bessent, a former hedge fund boss, visibly flustered with his hands trembling as he spoke to reporters following the meeting.
Since then, the two sides have continued to negotiate the deal – but Zelensky is not yet ready to agree.
In return, White House officials have raged Zelensky would be “six feet under” without them as a row has erupted with Trump.
Kyiv is standing firm, reports Sky News, with some sources saying US and Ukrainian officials had spent “all night” negotiating on Thursday into the early hours of Friday.
In the latest offer, the US is demanding access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals, oil, and critical infrastructure like ports.
Despite Trump demanding £400bn for “equalisation”, the US Congress thinks the US has only backed Ukraine with up to £137bn.
The dispute over the deal has led to a feud between the leaders with Trump slamming Zelensky as a “dictator” and sidelined him by starting peace discussions with Russia.
Trump also said the leader of Ukraine was “not very important” to be in meetings about peace – despite Ukraine having been invaded.
The President told governors at the White House: “I’ve had very good talks with Putin, and I’ve had not such good talks with Ukraine.
“They don’t have any cards, but they play it tough.”
Zelensky has also said he would step down as his country’s leader in exchange for peace or Nato membership.
The Ukrainian president said on Sunday: “If it’s about peace in Ukraine and you really want me to leave my position, I am ready to do that [in exchange for peace].
“Secondly I can exchange it for Nato [membership].
“If there is such an opportunity I’ll do it immediately without a long conversation about it.”
He emphasised that Ukraine’s security was his priority, not staying in office, adding that it was not his “dream” to remain president for a decade.
European leaders have been left reeling by being cut out of peace talks that Trump has started with Russia.
The new American administration has shifted position and started unilateral talks with Moscow as it demands a quick end to the war.
That’s left European capitals fuming – who have collectively backed Ukraine more than the US against the Russian invasion.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin has said there is no ground to talk to Europe about peace and wants Washington to “fully analyse the root causes of the Ukrainian conflict”.
World leaders are marking the third anniversary in a call that will pledge support for Ukraine and continue to call out Russia.
Some 30 have even gone to Kyiv, like EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and even Boris Johnson.
The massive show of support for Kyiv came as Germany’s new leader said Europe must stand alone from the US.
Zelensky said: “Nobody in the world believes the Russian lies about our country and our people, even those who became Russia’s ally.
“Russia’s strategic target is Europe, the European way of life and the future of Europe.
“And the future of Europe cannot be decided without Europe.”
The valiant leader has shared a patriotic clip of courageous soldiers fighting the invading Russians and civilians pulling together to mark the sad occasion.
Set to stirring music, Zelensky shared footage of fearless Ukrainian troops fighting over the course of the three years and thanked them.
The clip also shows civilians protesting against Russia, doctors in surgery, and firefighters in bombed-out buildings.
Who could replace Zelensky?
Names have begun to emerge as to who could replace Zelensky if he were to resign.
Valery Zaluzhny – The Iron General
Zaluzhny led the defence of Kyiv at the start of the war when Russia sent its special forces to their death at Hostomel Airport. Russia then tried to take Kyiv from the north by sending an Army from Belarus.
But the Iron General Zeluzhny is known for thinking outside of the box and has built a cult status in Ukraine.
He is currently the country’s ambassador to London.
Vitali Klitschko – The Champion Boxer
Klitschko is currently mayor of Kyiv and, standing at 6ft 7in, the former world boxing champion would be a heavyweight contender.
The boxer has led the city through daily bombardments by Russian drones and has become a powerful symbol of the city’s defence joining the territorial defence forces.
Like Zelensky, Klitschko would be a strong pro-European leader that Vladimir Putin would hate.
Viktor Medvedchuk – Putin’s Man
Ukrainian oligarch Medvedchuk is the godfather to Putin’s youngest daughter.
He was an important interlocutor between Moscow and Kyiv and backs a pro-Russian political party with several television stations he owns.
In 2021, he was arrested on suspicion of supporting Russian separatists – with the oligarch denying any wrongdoing.
The move is said to have infuriated Putin and was seen as one of the possible reasons he launched his invasion.
Incoming Chancellor Friederich Merz said his absolute priority was “to strengthen Europe as quickly as possible so that we can achieve real independence from the USA.”
Merz said: “More than ever, we must put Ukraine in a position of strength.
“For a fair peace, the country that is under attack must be part of peace negotiations.”
In Kyiv Monday, Trudeau addressed President Zelensky, praising his remarkable personal bravery, resilience and resolve.
He said: “You continue to inspire me and tens of millions of my fellow citizens back home in Canada.”
Trudeau pushed back on the Kremlin’s narrative, echoed in recent days by Trump and some members of his administration, that Ukraine bore responsibility for igniting the conflict.
Trudeau said: “This is not a conflict Ukraine wanted, provoked or asked for in any way.
“This is a war started for one reason and one reason only: Russia’s desire to erase Ukrainian history and expand their empire.”
Trump & Zelensky’s personal feud
DONALD Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky’s fiery feud ad turning the world upside down – and the pair have a bitter history.
2016 – Zelensky takes aim
The first time the pair are believed to have referenced one another came on a Ukrainian talk show featuring Zelesnky – then a star comedian – back in 2016.
Speaking about the lead up to that years US election, Zelensky made a comedic dig at the business tycoon turned Republican favourite.
He told TV viewers on the show: “Hillary won a confident victory in the debates, but considering that Donald Trump is the founder of the Miss World beauty contest, defeat in an intellectual competition should not upset him.”
2019 – Trump’s troubles
One of the first times the pair spoke came in 2019 as Trump phoned up Zelensky after he won the Ukrainian election.
Trump congratulated him before adding “you will do a great job”.
But his clear hostility towards Zelensky is also often traced back to the same year.
The Republican landed himself in trouble as he was impeached over allegations he withheld almost $400million in US security assistance to Kyiv unless it complied with Trump’s requests.
2019 – Bizarre panto skit
And in the aftermath of the row in 2019 – Zelensky was treated to a skit featuring Trump playing piano with his genitals on a special New Year’s Eve show.
The team from Kvartal 95 had Zelensky along as a guest to the event where they had a Trump impersonator take to the stage.
The short clip shows Trump on a video call to Zelensky as he passionately says: “I don’t like a lot of words, I like concrete actions.”
2020 – Trump’s X-rated rant
At the end of his first term in office, Trump reportedly ripped into Zelensky and Ukraine.
Former US National Security Advisor John Bolton said over five years ago that Trump wasn’t Zelensky’s biggest fan when he first became president.
Bolton quoted Trump as saying: “I don’t want to have any f***ing thing to do with Ukraine.
“They f***ing attacked me. I can’t understand why… They tried to f*** me. They’re corrupt. I’m not f***ing with them.”
