Zelensky declines to apologize for Oval Office spat

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wouldn’t apologize for the meeting with President Trump, which erupted into a remarkable and tense spat, arguing that the situation was bad for both countries, The Hill reports.

Fox News’s Bret Baier asked the Ukrainian president Friday evening if he would apologize for the meeting, which was expected to result in signing a minerals deal but instead went off the rails, and he denied any wrongdoing.

“No, I respect the president and I respect the American people and if, I don’t know, I think that we have to be very open and very honest and I’m not sure that we did something bad,” Zelensky said. “I think maybe sometimes, somethings we have to discuss out of media, with all respect to democracy and to free media.”

The exchange occurred with reporters and cameras in the Oval Office, making the argument public. Trump remarked when reporters were asked the leave the room that it made for good television.

“This is not good for both sides, anyway, and I was very open, but I can’t change our Ukrainian attitude toward Russia,” Zelensky said, when asked if the public spat served Ukrainians well. “This is very clear that Americans are the best of our friends, Europeans are the best of our friends and [Russian President Vladimir] Putin, with Russia, we are enemies.”

Baier asked if the dynamic should have taken place behind closed doors, questioning if Zelensky regretted how it occurred. Zelensky looked out to an aide for what appeared to be an ask for a translation for “regret” before responding, “Yes, I think it was not good.”

“I’m always open to media but there are very sensitive things. I just want to be honest, and I just want our partners to understand the situation correctly,” the Ukrainian president added.