VOLODYMYR Zelensky reportedly shouted at Donald Trump’s envoy leaving the official trembling and shaken amid a furious row.
The US President is pushing for a quick peace and wants Ukraine to sign over resource rights to pay for military support.
But Trump had asked for a staggering amount in payback from Ukraine – demanding £400bn in the original offer.
In a closed-door meeting in Kyiv on February 12, an “angry” Zelensky blasted Bessent for the offer which the envoy demanded he sign then and there, the Financial Times reports.
That left Bessent, a former hedge fund boss, visibly flustered with his hands trembling as he spoke to reporters following the meeting.
Since then, the two sides have continued to negotiate the deal – but Zelensky is not yet ready to agree.
In return, White House officials have raged Zelensky would be “six feet under” without them as a row has erupted with Trump.
Kyiv is standing firm, reports Sky News, with some sources saying US and Ukrainian officials had spent “all night” negotiating on Thursday into the early hours of Friday.
In the latest offer, the US is demanding access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals, oil, and critical infrastructure like ports.
Despite Trump demanding £400bn for “equalisation”, the US Congress thinks the US has only backed Ukraine with up to £137bn.
The dispute over the deal has led to a feud between the leaders with Trump slamming Zelensky as a “dictator” and sidelined him by starting peace discussions with Russia.
Trump also said the leader of Ukraine was “not very important” to be in meetings about peace – despite Ukraine having been invaded.
The President told governors at the White House: “I’ve had very good talks with Putin, and I’ve had not such good talks with Ukraine.
“They don’t have any cards, but they play it tough.”
Zelensky has also said he would step down as his country’s leader in exchange for peace or Nato membership.
The Ukrainian president said on Sunday: “If it’s about peace in Ukraine and you really want me to leave my position, I am ready to do that [in exchange for peace].
“Secondly I can exchange it for Nato [membership].
“If there is such an opportunity I’ll do it immediately without a long conversation about it.”
He emphasised that Ukraine’s security was his priority, not staying in office, adding that it was not his “dream” to remain president for a decade.
European leaders have been left reeling by being cut out of peace talks that Trump has started with Russia.
The new American administration has shifted position and started unilateral talks with Moscow as it demands a quick end to the war.
That’s left European capitals fuming – who have collectively backed Ukraine more than the US against the Russian invasion.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin has said there is no ground to talk to Europe about peace and wants Washington to “fully analyse the root causes of the Ukrainian conflict”.
World leaders are marking the third anniversary in a call that will pledge support for Ukraine and continue to call out Russia.
Some 30 have even gone to Kyiv, like EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and even Boris Johnson.
The massive show of support for Kyiv came as Germany’s new leader said Europe must stand alone from the US.
Zelensky said: “Nobody in the world believes the Russian lies about our country and our people, even those who became Russia’s ally.
“Russia’s strategic target is Europe, the European way of life and the future of Europe.
“And the future of Europe cannot be decided without Europe.”
The valiant leader has shared a patriotic clip of courageous soldiers fighting the invading Russians and civilians pulling together to mark the sad occasion.
Set to stirring music, Zelensky shared footage of fearless Ukrainian troops fighting over the course of the three years and thanked them.
The clip also shows civilians protesting against Russia, doctors in surgery, and firefighters in bombed-out buildings.
Names have begun to emerge as to who could replace Zelensky if he were to resign.
Valery Zaluzhny – The Iron General
Zaluzhny led the defence of Kyiv at the start of the war when Russia sent its special forces to their death at Hostomel Airport. Russia then tried to take Kyiv from the north by sending an Army from Belarus.
But the Iron General Zeluzhny is known for thinking outside of the box and has built a cult status in Ukraine.
He is currently the country’s ambassador to London.
Vitali Klitschko – The Champion Boxer
Klitschko is currently mayor of Kyiv and, standing at 6ft 7in, the former world boxing champion would be a heavyweight contender.
The boxer has led the city through daily bombardments by Russian drones and has become a powerful symbol of the city’s defence joining the territorial defence forces.
Like Zelensky, Klitschko would be a strong pro-European leader that Vladimir Putin would hate.
Viktor Medvedchuk – Putin’s Man
Ukrainian oligarch Medvedchuk is the godfather to Putin’s youngest daughter.
He was an important interlocutor between Moscow and Kyiv and backs a pro-Russian political party with several television stations he owns.
In 2021, he was arrested on suspicion of supporting Russian separatists – with the oligarch denying any wrongdoing.
The move is said to have infuriated Putin and was seen as one of the possible reasons he launched his invasion.
Incoming Chancellor Friederich Merz said his absolute priority was “to strengthen Europe as quickly as possible so that we can achieve real independence from the USA.”
Merz said: “More than ever, we must put Ukraine in a position of strength.
“For a fair peace, the country that is under attack must be part of peace negotiations.”
In Kyiv Monday, Trudeau addressed President Zelensky, praising his remarkable personal bravery, resilience and resolve.
He said: “You continue to inspire me and tens of millions of my fellow citizens back home in Canada.”
Trudeau pushed back on the Kremlin’s narrative, echoed in recent days by Trump and some members of his administration, that Ukraine bore responsibility for igniting the conflict.
Trudeau said: “This is not a conflict Ukraine wanted, provoked or asked for in any way.
“This is a war started for one reason and one reason only: Russia’s desire to erase Ukrainian history and expand their empire.”
DONALD Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky’s fiery feud ad turning the world upside down – and the pair have a bitter history.
2016 – Zelensky takes aim
The first time the pair are believed to have referenced one another came on a Ukrainian talk show featuring Zelesnky – then a star comedian – back in 2016.
Speaking about the lead up to that years US election, Zelensky made a comedic dig at the business tycoon turned Republican favourite.
He told TV viewers on the show: “Hillary won a confident victory in the debates, but considering that Donald Trump is the founder of the Miss World beauty contest, defeat in an intellectual competition should not upset him.”
2019 – Trump’s troubles
One of the first times the pair spoke came in 2019 as Trump phoned up Zelensky after he won the Ukrainian election.
Trump congratulated him before adding “you will do a great job”.
But his clear hostility towards Zelensky is also often traced back to the same year.
The Republican landed himself in trouble as he was impeached over allegations he withheld almost $400million in US security assistance to Kyiv unless it complied with Trump’s requests.
2019 – Bizarre panto skit
And in the aftermath of the row in 2019 – Zelensky was treated to a skit featuring Trump playing piano with his genitals on a special New Year’s Eve show.
The team from Kvartal 95 had Zelensky along as a guest to the event where they had a Trump impersonator take to the stage.
The short clip shows Trump on a video call to Zelensky as he passionately says: “I don’t like a lot of words, I like concrete actions.”
2020 – Trump’s X-rated rant
At the end of his first term in office, Trump reportedly ripped into Zelensky and Ukraine.
Former US National Security Advisor John Bolton said over five years ago that Trump wasn’t Zelensky’s biggest fan when he first became president.
Bolton quoted Trump as saying: “I don’t want to have any f***ing thing to do with Ukraine.
“They f***ing attacked me. I can’t understand why… They tried to f*** me. They’re corrupt. I’m not f***ing with them.”
A CHAMPIONS League final referee has been airlifted in for Fenerbahce’s derby clash against Galatasaray.
Jose Mourinho will be thrilled with the decision for Slavko Vincic to be given control of the potential title decider.
The Portuguese manager has made no secret of his disgruntlement with the level of officiating in the Turkish Super Lig.
The arrival of the Slovenian referee should be a relief to Mourinho as he officiated last season’s Champions League final.
The referee is deemed a complete outsider to the context of the match.
It is not the first time a foreign referee has been brought in for a one-off game in Turkey.
Last year, the VAR was often manned by referees from abroad for Super Lig matches.
The match between the fierce rivals is TONIGHT at Galatasaray‘s RAMS Park stadium.
Mourinho will be desperate for his side to win in order to close the gap to their rivals to just three points at the top of the table.
He will also be hoping that there are no controversial decisions called against his team.
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He has addressed the appointment of Vincic ahead of the match.
He said: “He’s a top European referee.
“That’s important for the credibility, for the image of this match.
“I’m happy.”
The former Premier League manager has often called out decisions after games in classic theatrical fashion.
In one rant, he exploded and accused a referee of “drinking Turkish tea” and NAPPING during a match.
It came after VAR failed to award Fenerbahce a penalty for a blatant handball against Trabzonspor.
He was booked in September for putting his laptop in front of a TV camera to highlight a wrong decision as his side beat Antalyaspor 2-0.
Mourinho believes that decisions against his team have cost them up to 15 points across the season.
He said: “Normally, we should be eight or nine points ahead.”
Mourinho’s gripes have not solely been in the domestic game as he was sent off in the Europa League clash against former club Manchester United.
He was incensed after Bright Osayi-Samuel went down in the box under a challenge from Manuel Ugarte.
His post-match rant saw him “congratulate” referee Clement Turpin for being able to see him on the touchline and the incident at the same time.
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TERRIFYING Britain’s Got Talent star Auzzy Blood looks worlds away from his on-stage persona in newly-discovered images.
The daredevil performer had ITV viewers wincing at his garish act that has been dubbed the scariest to ever feature on the talent show.
In his stomach-churning routine, Auzzy horrifyingly put screws and hooks through his nose and mouth in sickening scenes.
Another moment saw him hoist himself up a rope using just a hook through his nose and mouth.
Auzzy did not speak at any point during his act and donned freakish stage make-up to add to the intensity of his performance.
He bore face paint that features splutters of red across his face that appeared to represent blood.
But when he is not frightening the life out of people on the BGT stage, professional sword-swallower Auzzy looks nothing like his performative self.
Images uploaded to his Instagram account show him without any face-paint or stage make-up at all.
In some snaps, Auzzy has short blonde hair whilst in others he sports a more shaven head look.
He is also not afraid to share a shirtless snap or two with an image showing him posing in a sauna in a pair of red shorts.
His tattooed body could be seen on full display as he pulled a cheeky face at the cameras.
On the show, the judges were left unable to look with Alesha Dixon going as far as to hit her buzzer.
Waiting for a debrief after finally getting back down to solid ground, Alesha said: “I can’t watch this act, but I can appreciate how good you are.”
“This is one of my favourite acts of the day, genuinely!” countered Simon, with the rest of the judges in agreement, with Amanda calling it “horrifically brilliant”.
But while the judges were sold, viewers were not, saying it was unsuitable for children and “left them feeling sick”, demanding Ofcom step in for inappropriate content before the 9pm watershed.
Taking to X/Twitter, one fan wrote: “@ofcom will be getting lots of complaints tomorrow from this guy hanging from his nose. My daughters nearly throwing up and I just couldn’t look at all. #bgt no.”
“I’ve sent one, my 6 year old was traumatised poor thing,” said another. “It’s not even 9pm.”
Britain's Got Talent has been plagued with 'fix' rows over the years. How many of these do you remember?
Jasmine Elcock – 2016: Teenage singer Jasmine Elcock stunned the nation with her version of Cher’s Believe. But it then transpired she had already performed professionally in London’s West End. Jasmine, 14, admitted: “I’ve performed in Annie in the West End at about the age of nine or 10, but I really get nervous.”
IrShad Shaikh – 2017: BGT fans were left questioning the rule book when IrShad Shaikh auditioned. He got four red buzzers from the judges, which would usually mean an instant dismissal. Yet in a strange turn of events, they let him continue with his act…and put him through to the next round.
Colin Thackery – 2019: Elderly war veteran Colin won BGT in 2019, but there was an outcry over the final. He warbled his place to win with a version of We’ll Meet Again but fans were furious that escapologist Jonathan Goodwin didn’t even rank in the top three. Viewers felt Jonathan – who almost suffocated while being buried alive in a gravel pit – should have won.
Axel Blake – 2022: Comedian Axel Blake was given a Golden Buzzer in 2022 after making the judges laugh. But fans were fuming when they discovered Axel already had a show on worldwide streaming platform Amazon Prime. Despite this, Axel still went on to win the series.
Loren Allred – 2022: The 2022 series of BGT was hit with another controversy when singer Loren Allred also received a Golden Buzzer. She performed Never Enough from the smash hit musical movie The Greatest Showman and got a standing ovation. It later transpired Loren was actually the original voice behind the track.
Taryn Charles – 2024: Singer Taryn Charles is one of this year’s hopefuls lucky enough to receive the Golden Buzzer. Bruno Tonilio put her straight through to the semi-finals following her performance of (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman by Aretha Franklin, but it has now come to light that she is no stranger to TV. Viewers recognised Taryn from an episode of ITV1’s Starstruck, where she impersonated Whitney Houston for judges Olly Murs, Sheridan Smith, Adam Lambert and Beverley Knight.
