A member of Russia’s state-owned news agency gained access to the Oval Office on Friday to cover President Trump’s sit-down with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky – even as the AP and Reuters were barred from the high-level meeting.

Last week's volatile exchange in the Oval Office between President Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, and Ukrainian President Zelensky sent the world into a tailspin as the three leaders loudly argued over the US's support for Ukraine for over ten minutes before the press.

White House officials were expecting a positive meeting and said they had little reason to anticipate animosity before things deteriorated.