File photo dated 18/10/18 of Sir Michael Caine who will be presented with an icon award at this year’s Raindance Film Festival. The UK premiere of Best Sellers, a new film which stars the 88-year-old, will open the independent film festival in London later this month. Issue date: Monday October 18, 2021. PA Photo. See PA story SHOWBIZ Caine . Photo credit should read: Ian West/PA Wire (Image: PA)
Legendary actor has weighed in on the aftermath of an unprecedented clash in the White House between Ukrainian President and US President , along with Vice President JD Vance.
The fiery Oval Office encounter saw the Ukrainian leader, who was in Washington DC to sign a minerals agreement that would have provided further US military support in return for access to ‘s natural resources, being told he should be ‘thankful’ for US backing.
Mr Zelensky departed the White House early, putting plans to sign the minerals deal with Mr Trump on hold.
Follow the live blog on the exchange .
As politicians and diplomats across Europe and America scrambled to react to the confrontation, Zulu and Italian Job star Michael Caine delivered his succinct seven-word verdict: “You’re only supposed to sign a ceasefire.”
This comment is a nod to one of the 91 year old’s most iconic lines: “You’re only supposed to blow the bloody doors off” from The Italian Job, reports .
Michael Caine made a very cheeky quip as peace talks broke down (Image: Getty)
During the heated exchanges in the White House, Mr Zelensky cautioned the US would “feel it in the future” if it did not continue its support for .
“Don’t tell us what we’re going to feel. We’re trying to solve a problem,” Mr Trump retorted. US vice president JD Vance questioned why Mr Zelensky had not expressed gratitude for US military aid during the meeting.
Mr Vance was overheard telling the Ukrainian leader: “Mr President, with respect, I think it’s disrespectful for you to come into the Oval Office and try to litigate this in front of the American media. Right now, you guys are going around and forcing conscripts to the front lines because you have manpower problems. You should be thanking the president for bringing an end to this conflict.”
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Downing Street indicated that Sir had attempted to mend relations between and the US after the White House incident.
A No 10 spokeswoman stated: “The Prime Minister has tonight spoken to both President Trump and President Zelensky.
“He maintains unwavering support for , and is doing everything possible to find a path towards lasting peace based on sovereignty and security for .”
This statement from Downing Street came after a display of unity from Europe’s political leaders in support of .
French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen were among those expressing solidarity with Mr Zelensky.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called for “respectable diplomacy” following the meeting, stating that a “divided West only benefits “, while Westminster leader suggested that the offer of a second state visit to Mr Trump should be withdrawn.