Russia reacts to Oval Office clash: Trump, Vance showed 'miracle of restraint' by 'holding back from hitting' Zelenskyy

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with US President Donald Trump (AFP Photo)

Russia’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Maria Zakharova, stated on Friday that US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance demonstrated a “miracle of restraint” by holding back from striking Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during their fiery Oval Office confrontation.

“I think Zelenskyy’s biggest lie of all his lies was his assertion in the White House that the Kyiv regime in 2022 was alone, without support," she wrote on Telegram.

“How Trump and Vance held back from hitting that scumbag is a miracle of restraint,” she added.

She further accused Zelenskyy of being “unpleasant with everyone”.

Dmitry Medvedev, former Russian president and current deputy head of Russia’s Security Council, described Zelenskyy as an “insolent pig” and stated that he had received “a proper slap down in the Oval Office”.

“And @realDonaldTrump is right: The Kiev regime is “gambling with WWIII”,” he said.

Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, described the confrontation between the US and Ukrainian leaders as “historic."

As one of Moscow’s negotiators, Dmitriev participated in the Russian-American talks held in Saudi Arabia on February 18—the first since Russia’s Ukraine offensive began in 2022.

What happened between Trump and Zelenskyy at Oval Office?

An unexpected showdown occurred at the Oval Office meeting between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy – with the US President shouting at Zelenskyy, accusing him of “risking millions of lives” and warning that his actions might lead to World War III.

Following the tense exchange, Zelenskyy abruptly departed the White House without signing a critical minerals agreement, which Trump had pushed for and suggested was necessary for continued U.S. backing of Ukraine.

Minutes after his departure from the White House, the Ukrainian president in a post on X said, "Thank you America, thank you for your support, thank you for this visit. Thank you @POTUS, Congress, and the American people. Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for that.”

A joint press conference scheduled between Trump and Zelenskyy in the East Room of the White House was also concealed. A White House spokesperson said a minerals agreement that was set to be signed between the US and Ukraine also did not go through.