The meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump took a turn for the worst, as the two leaders exchanged heated remarks in front of the press at the White House regarding the ongoing war with Russia.
Mr. Zelensky’s visit aimed to persuade the United States to remain in opposition to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who initiated the invasion of Ukraine three years ago.
However, the Ukrainian leader found himself in stark disagreement with Mr. Trump and Vice President JD Vance concerning the conflict, highlighting how the shift in administration in Washington has negatively impacted Kyiv’s efforts to secure Western backing for its war initiatives.
Watch: Zelensky departs the White House prematurely after confrontation with Donald Trump
Mr. Vance emphasized the importance of diplomacy to resolve the most significant conflict in Europe since World War Two, while Mr. Zelensky countered that Mr. Putin is untrustworthy in any negotiation scenarios.
Following their altercation, Mr. Trump quickly took to Truth Social, accusing Mr. Zelensky of failing to respect the United States.
“I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for Peace if America is involved,” he stated, using an alternate spelling of the leader’s name. “He can return when he is ready for Peace.”
Mr. Zelensky left the White House ahead of schedule after the dispute, without finalizing a highly anticipated agreement between Ukraine and the United States concerning the joint exploitation of natural resources.
Reports from US media indicated that senior Trump officials asked Mr. Zelensky to leave.
This confrontation also undermines recent diplomatic efforts by European leaders to persuade Mr. Trump to offer security guarantees for Ukraine, despite his refusal to deploy US troops on Ukrainian soil.
Such guarantees are viewed as essential to prevent future Russian aggression.
“People are dying, and you’re running low on soldiers,” Mr. Trump told Mr. Zelensky during their candid exchange before reporters in the Oval Office.
Mr. Trump threatened to withdraw US support from Ukraine.
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‘Be strong, be fearless’ von der Leyen urges Zelensky
“You’re either going to make a deal, or we’re out, and if we’re out, you’ll have to fight it out. I don’t think it’s going to be pretty,” Mr. Trump warned.
“You don’t hold the cards. Once we sign that deal, you will be in a far better position. However, you’re not showing sufficient gratitude, and that’s quite unfortunate. I’ll be frank; that’s not nice.”
Mr. Zelensky openly challenged Mr. Trump regarding his lenient approach towards Mr. Putin, urging him to “make no compromises with a killer.”
Mr. Trump emphasized that Mr. Putin desires a deal.
“You are gambling with World War Three,” Mr. Trump admonished Mr. Zelensky at one point, insisting that he displays more appreciation.
“I don’t think it’s going to end well, but you’ll have to fight it out, and you do not hold the cards.”
Mr. Vance interjected, stating that it was disrespectful for Mr. Zelensky to come to the Oval Office to debate his position, a sentiment Mr. Trump endorsed.
“You didn’t express gratitude,” Mr. Vance remarked. Mr. Zelensky raised his voice in reply, “I have thanked the American people many times.”
As he departed the White House for his estate in Florida, Donald Trump commented that Mr. Zelensky “overplayed his hand.”
“I want a ceasefire now,” stated the US President, adding that he desires an immediate end to the fighting in Ukraine. Mr. Trump also accused Mr. Zelensky of opposing a truce.
Mr. Zelensky, who received billions of dollars in US military aid and support from the Biden administration in his battle against Russia, now faces a starkly different attitude from the current US president.
Mr. Trump aims to bring an end to the three-year conflict quickly, strengthen ties with Russia, and recover funds expended on supporting Ukraine.
“I hope to be remembered as a peacemaker,” Mr. Trump remarked previously.
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Earlier, Mr. Trump commended Mr. Zelensky’s soldiers for their bravery and expressed the US’s desire to see an end to the conflict, directing funds instead toward “different uses such as rebuilding.”
Mr. Trump has taken a considerably less committed stance on European security, a shift that has alarmed Europe and heightened concerns in Kyiv and among its allies of being pressured into a peace settlement favorable to Russia.
No security guarantees in deal
The agreement negotiated in recent days would grant the United States access to Ukraine’s rich mineral resources but lacks explicit American security guarantees for Ukraine, disappointing Kyiv. Mr. Trump argues that American involvement in business would serve as a de facto guarantee.
The specifics of how much the deal would benefit the United States are not outlined. Mr. Trump has indicated he anticipates gaining hundreds of billions of dollars, while Mr. Zelensky has stated he is unwilling to sign an agreement that could burden his country with long-term debt.
Ukraine is expected to contribute 50% of “all revenues earned from the future monetization of all relevant Ukrainian Government-owned natural resource assets” to a reconstruction fund co-owned and managed by both the United States and Ukraine.
The agreement does not delineate how the funds would be utilized or define specific assets it encompasses, although it notes that they would include mineral, oil, and natural gas deposits, as well as infrastructure such as gas terminals and ports.
The talks in Washington were initially perceived as a diplomatic advantage for Mr. Zelensky, who has repeatedly emphasized the significance of meeting Mr. Trump in person before the US president engages in discussions with Mr. Putin.
Kyiv hoped the agreement would motivate Mr. Trump to support Ukraine’s war efforts and potentially secure backing from Congressional Republicans for a new round of aid.
Ukraine has rapidly boosted its defense production but remains heavily reliant on foreign military assistance while facing challenges in replenishing its manpower against a significantly larger adversary.
While Ukraine successfully repelled Russia’s invasion from Kyiv’s outskirts and reclaimed significant territory in 2022, Russia retains control of approximately one-fifth of Ukraine and has gradually advanced since the Ukrainian forces’ unsuccessful counteroffensive in 2023. Kyiv’s military currently occupies a portion of land in Russia’s western Kursk region after a 2024 incursion.
Mr. Trump has been engaged in a long-distance feud with Mr. Zelensky in recent weeks, criticizing his war management, labeling him a “dictator,” and pressuring him to finalize the minerals deal.
Ukraine truce ‘can’t be a peace that rewards the aggressor,’ says Starmer
