US Vice President J D Vance’s remarks on diplomacy sparked clash between Trump-Zelenskyy
Washington, D.C.: A meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House took a dramatic turn on Friday after Vice President JD Vance interjected during discussions, leading to a heated exchange and an abrupt end to the talks.
The meeting, which began with handshakes and formal pleasantries, saw tensions rise when Trump suggested that the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war could have been avoided if he had been in office earlier. The atmosphere worsened when Trump appeared to shift the blame onto Ukraine for the conflict, despite Russia’s invasion in 2022.
The situation escalated further when Vance responded to a journalist’s question about Trump’s stance on Russia, asserting that diplomacy was key to resolving the war. Zelenskyy strongly rejected this view, recalling Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and broken ceasefire agreements.
"What kind of diplomacy, JD, are you speaking about?" Zelenskyy asked, criticising the notion that negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin could bring peace. Vance, in turn, accused Zelenskyy of being "disrespectful" to Trump and the US administration.
As the argument intensified, Zelenskyy questioned whether Vance had ever been to Ukraine, highlighting the suffering caused by the war. Vance countered by claiming Ukraine was engaging in propaganda and implied that Zelenskyy had not shown enough gratitude for US support.
The confrontation reached a breaking point when Trump intervened, telling Zelenskyy, "You are in no position to dictate how we are going to feel." Vance then questioned whether Zelenskyy had ever thanked the US, leading to a sharp response from the Ukrainian leader: "A lot of times."
The exchange quickly devolved into a shouting match, lasting nearly three minutes before Zelenskyy stormed out of the White House. A planned joint press conference was cancelled, and the meeting ended with no clear resolution.
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3 killed in landslide during road widening at Hulikal ghats in K'taka, CM announces ex-gratia
Shivamogga (Karnataka) (PTI): Three labourers were killed and four others injured after a landslide struck a road construction site at Hulikal Ghat in this district, police said on Friday.
The deceased have been identified as Raghavendra (37), Raju (30), and Shabbir (40), all engaged in wall construction work at the site, they said.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced a compensation of Rs five lakh each to the families of the deceased.
The incident occurred late Thursday afternoon at a hairpin bend in Hulikal Ghat in Hosanagara taluk, they said.
According to officials, a massive landslide of soil and rocks from the hillside buried the workers.
A total of seven workers were caught in the landslip. Three labourers died on the spot after being trapped under the debris.
Rescue teams managed to pull out four injured workers and shift them to hospitals in nearby areas, including Kundapura and Udupi, for treatment, they said.
The mishap took place during ongoing efforts to build a retaining wall aimed at ensuring the safety of vehicles navigating the ghat section, which is known for its steep curves and landslide-prone terrain.
An SDRF team from Mangaluru reached the place early Friday morning and took up relief work.
Police, fire and emergency personnel rushed to the spot soon after the incident and launched rescue operations.
Authorities said the sudden collapse of loose soil and rocks from the upper slope is suspected to have triggered the landslip.
A case has been registered, and an investigation is underway to ascertain whether adequate safety measures were in place at the worksite.
Taking to 'X', CM Siddaramaiah said that regarding the incident, I have spoken with District In-charge Minister Madhu Bangarappa and obtained information.
"I am deeply saddened to hear the news that three workers lost their lives when soil collapsed during the construction of a road barrier at a bend in Hulikal Ghat, in Hosanagara taluk of Shivamogga district. I pray that the souls of the deceased unfortunate workers attain eternal peace, and that their family members find the strength to bear this sorrow," he said.
These breadwinning lives, which were the support of their families, have been lost in this tragedy, and on humanitarian grounds, a compensation of Rs five lakh each will be provided to the families of the deceased workers, the chief minister added.
