In a striking commentary on Fox News, host Jesse Watters delivered a direct and unapologetic message to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, asserting America’s control over global affairs. “We run the world. This is America’s world. He’s our proxy. This world — this ends when we say it ends,” Watters declared, reinforcing the notion that Ukraine’s fate is ultimately in the hands of the United States.

Watters illustrated his point with a metaphor, likening Ukraine’s plea for continued U.S. support to a young man seeking a father’s blessing for marriage without the necessary means to provide. “It’s kinda like when you wanna propose, so you go to the girlfriend’s dad. You go into his house. ‘Can I have your blessing?’ And he goes, ‘Well, do you have any money for a ring?’ ‘Nope.’ ‘Do you have a job?’ ‘Nope.’ ‘Do you have a house?’ ‘Nope.’ And then you start arguing with the dad, and he kicks you out of the house, and you go back to the girlfriend. The girlfriend’s like, ‘Well, how did it go?’ Not good. It did not go very well.”

According to Watters, Zelensky “screwed up” by directly confronting U.S. Senator J.D. Vance on the issue of diplomacy and Russia’s trustworthiness. The exchange reportedly took place shortly after former President Donald Trump responded to a reporter’s question about alignment with Russia, stating, “I’m just aligned with America, and I’m aligned with the world.” Vance then added that bravado alone would not suffice in diplomatic efforts. Zelensky, however, swiftly criticized Vance, saying, “You don’t know anything about diplomacy. What do you know about diplomacy? You can’t negotiate with Putin. He can’t be trusted. He violates ceasefires.”

Watters questioned the rationale behind Zelensky’s visit and the purpose of ongoing diplomatic engagements. “Well, then what are we all doing here? Why did he fly all the way here to sign this mineral deal if you can’t negotiate with Vladimir Putin? What’s the whole point of this?” He further argued that the United States has no interest in providing Ukraine with a formal security pact that would obligate American soldiers to defend the country in case of future Russian aggression. Instead, he suggested that securing critical mineral resources was the most tangible benefit Ukraine could expect from ongoing negotiations.

As the war in Ukraine drags on, the debate over U.S. involvement remains highly contentious, with figures like Watters pushing for a reassessment of America’s role. His comments reflect a growing sentiment among some political factions that Ukraine’s reliance on U.S. support should not come without strict limitations and strategic reassessments.

Washington, D.C. – Former President Donald Trump claimed on Thursday that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is “not ready for peace” if the United States remains involved in negotiations, following a meeting at the White House.

In a statement posted on Truth Social, Trump described the discussion as “very meaningful” but suggested that Zelenskyy views U.S. support as a bargaining tool rather than a path to ending the war.

“It’s amazing what comes out through emotion,” Trump wrote. “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. I don’t want advantage, I want PEACE.”

Trump also accused Zelenskyy of disrespecting the United States during their meeting in the Oval Office, adding, “He can come back when he is ready for Peace.”

The statement marks a stark contrast to the Biden administration’s stance, which has pledged continued military and financial support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s invasion. Trump, who has frequently criticized U.S. aid to Ukraine, has suggested he could broker a peace deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin within “24 hours” if re-elected.

Zelenskyy has not publicly responded to Trump’s remarks, but the Ukrainian leader has consistently argued that ongoing American support is crucial in resisting Russian aggression.

The meeting and Trump’s statement come amid broader debates in Washington over U.S. aid to Ukraine, with Republican lawmakers divided on continued funding for Kyiv.

This is a developing story.

Ukrainian ambassador to US holds head in hands while heated exchange plays out

Ukrainian Ambassador to the US Oksana Markarova was seen holding her head in her hands as she watched the heated meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and President Donald Trump on Friday, according to a photo taken inside the room by CNN’s Kaitlan Collins.

The two leaders — along with Vice President JD Vance — engaged in a tense back-and-forth in the Oval Office over the nature of US support for Ukraine’s war against Russia.

Zelensky is hoping to appeal to the US for continued security assistance during his trip to Washington. Collins said that all of Trump’s diplomacy “is personal,” while Zelensky took a different approach: being “straightforward in his opinions.”

Collins said other top Ukrainian and US officials were also in the room during the exchange. Before reporters were asked the leave, Collins said she asked Trump if he and Zelensky could still make progress on negotiations today, and “he said, ‘we’ll see,’ essentially.”

Trump and Zelensky are expected to sign a minerals agreement at a joint news conference later this afternoon, but Collins notes, “there are real questions about what this looks like going forward.”