A potential deal between the United States and Ukraine to end the war with Russia was up in the air Friday, after President Trump’s meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office turned contentious.
Trump told Zelenskyy, “You’re not acting at all thankful” for the United States’ support for his country, adding that the Ukrainian leader had been disrespectful and told him, “You’re gambling with World War III.”
Zelenskyy attempted to object, saying he has “all the respect for your country” and saying, “I said thanks,” as Trump raised his voice to speak over him.
A scheduled news conference between the two men was later canceled. Zelenskyy left the White House but did not answer questions.
Zelenskyy arrived in Washington, where he was expected to sign an agreement granting the US access to Ukrainian rare earth and critical minerals. However, the heated session, which featured raised voices and cross talk in front of television cameras, left the future of the negotiations uncertain.
The argument arose at the end of a lengthy question-and-answer session with reporters, after Trump defended his approach to Russian President Vladimir Putin, claiming he was attempting to broker a deal between two parties.
“I am not aligned with anyone. I’m aligned with the United States of America, and I’m aligned with the rest of the world, and I want to get this thing over with,” Trump stated.
Vice President Vance later defended Trump’s approach as “diplomacy.”
That elicited a strong response from Zelenskyy, who claimed Putin had broken previous agreements. “He violated the ceasefire. He murdered our people… JD, what kind of diplomacy are you talking about? What do you mean?” asked Ukraine’s president, who has been seeking stronger security guarantees as part of any peace agreement to end the war.
Trump later told reporters that “they should have an immediate ceasefire.”
Vance accused Zelenskyy of attempting to “litigate this in front of the American media,” including running propaganda tours, campaigning for Democrats in Pennsylvania during the election, and being ungrateful.
Zelenskyy asked, “Have you ever visited Ukraine? Have you seen our problems? “Come once.
“Offer some words of appreciation for the United States of America and the president who’s trying to save your country,” Vance told you.
“During the war, everyone has problems, including you. But you have a nice ocean and don’t feel right now. But you’ll feel it in the future. “God bless, there will be no war,” Zelenskyy said, crossing his arms. Trump interjected, saying, “Don’t tell us how we’re going to feel. “We’re trying to solve a problem.”
As the two leaders raised their voices, each attempting to speak over the other, Zelenskyy declared, “You will feel influence.”
Zelenskyy addresses the tense meeting
Following the exchange, Trump took to social media, writing on his Truth Social platform that he has “determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for peace.”
Zelenskyy addressed the tense exchange during a Fox News interview, telling host Bret Baier that Ukraine was “ready for peace,” while emphasizing the importance of security guarantees for his country.
The Ukrainian leader expressed regret that the exchange occurred in front of cameras rather than behind closed doors. “Yes, I think it was not good,” he admitted.
Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for American assistance in Ukraine’s conflict with Russia. “We are grateful to Americans for their support. You accomplished a lot. I am grateful to President Trump and Congress for their bipartisan support, and I have always been grateful to all of our people,” he said.
He declined to respond directly when asked if he owed President Trump an apology, but when asked if his relationship with President Trump could be salvaged, Zelenskyy said, “Yes, of course.”
“The free world needs a new leader”
It marked a dramatic shift in how Ukraine’s leader was received in Washington, prompting criticism from top Democratic lawmakers.
“President Trump and his administration continue to embarrass America on the world stage,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-New York, said in a statement. “Trump and Vance are doing Putin’s dirty work,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, also of New York, wrote on social media.
European leaders have joined the call for continued support for Ukraine.
French and British leaders, who have each visited the White House this week, called Zelenskyy to assure him of Europe’s full support.
“There is an aggressor, which is Russia, and a people who have suffered aggression, which is Ukraine,” French President Emmanuel Macron told reporters, urging respect for those fighting for “their independence, their children, and the security of Europe.”
“We will increase our support for Ukraine,” European Union Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas wrote on X. “Today, it was clear that the free world required a new leader. It is up to us, Europeans, to meet this challenge.”
