Zelensky apologised to Trump after Oval Office fallout, US envoy confirms

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has issued a letter of apology to US President Donald Trump following a tense public argument during their Oval Office meeting last month, according to Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy.

Speaking to Fox News on Monday, Witkoff confirmed that Zelensky had sent the apology letter to Trump after their heated exchange. He stated that this step had initiated further discussions between the US, Ukraine, and relevant European officials regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine and efforts towards a peace agreement.

“It was an important step, and there’s been a lot of discussion between our teams and the Ukrainians and the Europeans who are relevant to this discussion as well,” Witkoff said.

President Trump acknowledged receiving the letter during his recent address to Congress but did not explicitly mention Zelensky's apology. Zelensky had previously described the Oval Office clash as “regrettable,” but stopped short of offering an official apology at the time.

The argument in the Oval Office centred on the US push for diplomacy with Russia, with Zelensky openly questioning US efforts to engage with the Kremlin.

The aftermath of the meeting led to a suspension of military aid to Ukraine, with key negotiations on a minerals deal and intelligence sharing between the US and Ukraine put on hold.

While the letter of apology marks progress in mending relations, Witkoff noted that significant challenges remain in the peace negotiations. The US and Ukrainian officials are set to meet in Saudi Arabia later this week to continue efforts aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict with Russia.

The focus of the upcoming talks will be on securing territorial security, military aid, and a potential peace agreement.

Witkoff stressed the need for transparency and compromise in the upcoming discussions. “These are not complicated things, they just need to be put on the table,” he said, urging both sides to clarify their expectations as peace talks resume.

Yesterday, Zelensky and chief US diplomat Marco Rubio arrived in Saudi Arabia ahead of ceasefire talks on Monday as Ukraine's proposal for a partial truce raised hopes of a breakthrough after three years of war.