A UKRAINIAN hospital was blown up in a Russian drone attack just hours after Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky’s fiery Oval Office fall out.
At least eight Russian Shahed drones struck the Kharkiv Regional Clinical Hospital packed with civilians – sparking a huge fire.
XRussian drones targeted the Kharkiv Regional Clinical Hospital in an overnight strike[/caption]
xThe hospital building was destroyed after the blitz[/caption]
GettyEmergency officials conduct search and rescue operations among the rubble of the houses after Russian Shahed drone attacks on Kharkiv[/caption]
AlamyMedical and rescue workers evacuate a patient from a hospital damaged by a Russian strike in Kharkiv[/caption]
The attack also targeted nearby residential areas, including residential buildings, cafes and local stores, Mayor Ihor Terekhov said.
One child was reportedly injured in the attack on the hospital.
Regional governor Oleh Syniehubov said all the strikes were in central districts of the city and emergency crews were working at the different sites.
Horror footage shows the moment the drone struck the hospital building.
Loud crash sounds took over the area as Russia pounded Ukraine‘s second largest city.
Regional governor Oleh Syniehubov said the drones also hit civilian areas in three central districts of the city – a frequent target of Russian attacks in the three-year-old war.
Ukraine‘s air defences reportedly destroyed 103 of 154 drones launched by Russia in the overnight strike, Kyiv‘s air force said on Saturday.
The other 51 drones were “locationally lost”, it said, likely as a result of electronic jamming.
The Russian strike came just a few hours after Trump openly berated Zelensky for not being “thankful”, and later accused the Ukrainian leader of “not being ready for peace”.
He said that Zelensky “disrespected” the United States in the “cherished Oval Office”.
The brave Ukrainian leader visited Washington in hopes of signing a critical mineral deal in exchange for continued wartime aid from the US.
But the high-stakes meeting soon collapsed into chaos after a brutal three-way shouting match erupted between Zelensky, Trump and Vice President JD Vance in an historic Oval Office row.
Trump yelled at Zelensky: “You’re gambling with millions of people, seeing you gambling with World War Three. You’re gambling with World War Three.”
A scheduled press conference was cancelled and Zelensky was forced to leave the White House with no minerals deal.
AFPTrump and Zelensky had a furious shouting match during their White House meeting[/caption]
The Mega AgencyZelensky throws out his hands during the meeting[/caption]
XUkrainian Ambassador to the US Oksana Markarova covers her eyes during the meeting[/caption]
REXZelensky folds his arms during the Oval Office meeting[/caption]
Trump said Zelensky was “not in a place to negotiate”.
Despite the fierce clash, Zelensky said his relationship with the President could be fixed but added he wanted Trump “more at our side” after the commander-in-chief said he wanted to be in the middle.
In his post White House interview, he later thanked Trump, Congress, and the American people for their support and said he was “ready for peace”.
In a follow-up statement, Trump told Zelensky: “He can come back when he is ready for Peace.
“I have determined that President Zelensky is not ready for Peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations,” Trump wrote.
“I don’t want advantage, I want PEACE.”
EUROPE REACTS
European support for Zelensky is continuing to pour out of capitals on Friday night following the row.
French President Emmanuel Macron said: “Russia is the aggressor, Ukraine is the victim of aggression.
“I think we were all right to help Ukraine and sanction Russia three years ago and to continue to do so.”
Donald Tusk, the PM of Poland, said on X: “Dear@ZelenskyyUa, dear Ukrainian friends, you are not alone.”
Sweden‘s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson posted on X saying: “Sweden stands with Ukraine. You are not only fighting for your freedom but also for all of Europe’s. Slava Ukraini!”
Latvia’s Evika Silina said: “Latvia stands with Ukraine.”
Spain‘s Pedro Sanchez said: “Ukraine, Spain stands with you.”
Incoming German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said: “Dear Volodymyr, we stand with Ukraine in good and in testing times.
“We must never confuse aggressor and victim in this terrible war.”
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said: “Your dignity honors the bravery of the Ukrainian people.
“Be strong, be brave, be fearless. You are never alone, dear President Zelensky.
“We will continue working with you for a just and lasting peace.”
Ireland‘s Minister of Foreign Affairs and former Taoiseach Simon Harris said: “Ukraine is not to blame for this war brought about by Russia’s illegal invasion. We stand with Ukraine.”
The Sun Says
PRESIDENT Zelensky is a global hero who has led his wronged country’s brave defence against a tyrant’s war machine.
His ambush by Donald Trump and his vice-president as the world watched was a shocking spectacle.
His ambush by Donald Trump and his vice-president as the world watched was a shocking spectacle.
Zelensky flew to Washington hoping to secure Ukraine’s future, only to be degraded and sent home with no minerals deal.
His courage and leadership have earned him far more respect than the undeserved humiliation he received on live TV.
AFP
Zelensky left the White House early following the row[/caption]
AFPThe minerals deal was scheduled to be signed at a press conference, which has been cancelled[/caption]
RexZelensky in his motorcade leaving the White House[/caption]