Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the president of Ukraine, entered the White House on Friday with the intention of securing a crucial mineral agreement and securing US support to hasten the conclusion of Russia’s invasion. As Zelenskyy struggled to make his point, US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance delivered a stinging dressing down, and the meeting instead descended into turmoil.
The repercussions was immediate and severe: Zelenskyy’s delegation was asked to leave the White House in a not-so-subtle dismissal, no agreement was signed, and no joint statement was released. Trump doubled down as the world gasped, calling the Ukrainian leader “disrespectful” and casting doubt on his commitment to peace. The diplomatic conflagration was swift as world leaders voiced their opinions, with some supporting Zelenskyy and others cheering Trump.
After Vance accused Zelenskyy of being disrespectful, a high-stakes meeting involving Trump, Vance, and Zelenskyy swiftly descended into a heated argument. Trump became more agitated as the situation worsened, almost yelling at the Ukrainian leader, “You’re gambling with World War III.”
When Trump was asked about his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom he has frequently been accused of being too cozy with, the press conference took an unexpected turn. Trump, who had just called Zelenskyy a “dictator,” defended his strategy by claiming that he was siding with “both of them” in the interest of peace.
Echoing Trump’s stance, Vance contended that Joe Biden’s combative strategy toward Putin had merely stoked further hostilities. “The path to peace and the path to prosperity is maybe engaging in diplomacy,” Vance said.
Zelenskyy immediately challenged the notion, pointing out Putin’s history of violating ceasefire agreements. “What kind of diplomacy, JD, are you speaking about?” he asked. “What do you mean?”
Vance fired back: “I’m talking about diplomacy that’s going to end the destruction of your country.” He then chastised Zelenskyy, saying, “I think it’s disrespectful for you to come into the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the American media.” Zelenskyy countered, emphasising the global stakes of the war. “During the war, everybody has problems, even you. But you have a nice ocean and don’t feel it now, though you will in the future.”
Trump interrupted sharply: “Don’t tell us what we’re going to feel. We’re trying to solve a problem. Don’t tell us what we’re going to feel.” “I’m not telling you…” Zelenskyy began, but Trump cut him off again: “You’re in no position to dictate that. You’re in no position to dictate what we’re going to feel.”
Trump then doubled down, raising his voice: “You’re not in a good position. You don’t have the cards right now. With us, you start having cards.” Zelenskyy, appearing frustrated, shot back: “I’m not playing cards, I’m very serious, Mr President.”
Trump, undeterred, responded: “You’re playing cards. You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people. You’re gambling with World War III, and what you’re doing is very disrespectful to the country.” The fiery exchange continued to deteriorate, with Vance challenging Zelenskyy’s gratitude towards the US. “Have you said ‘thank you’ once?” he demanded.
When Zelenskyy insisted that he had expressed his gratitude “a lot of times,” Vance pressed further: “No, in this entire meeting, have you said ‘thank you’?” Trump then abruptly ended the meeting with Zelenskyy, and their scheduled joint media address was also called off.
It was Zelenskyy’s first visit to the White House under President Trump and his fifth overall. According to the White House, following the Oval Office explosion, the Ukrainian delegation was requested to go. Outside the Cabinet Room, where Trump, Zelenskyy, and their delegations were to have a planned lunch, untouched salad plates and other lunchware were removed.
Trump wrote on Truth Social shortly after the shocking development that Zelenskyy is “not ready for peace if America is involved.” “I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for peace if America is involved because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations. I don’t want advantage, I want PEACE. He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for peace,” Trump said.
Trump then told reporters that Zelensky didn’t seem like a man who desired peace. The president of the United States affirmed his desire for peace and claimed that an immediate ceasefire was feasible. “He’s got to say, I want to make peace. He doesn’t have to stand there and say about Putin this, Putin that, and all negative things. He’s got to say, I want to make peace. I don’t want to fight a war any longer, his people are dying,” Trump said, adding, “He doesn’t have the cards”.
“We are not going to keep fighting. We are going to get the war done or let them go and see what happens. Let them fight it out. I want anybody that’s going to make peace, if he is capable of making peace, which he may or may not be, but I want somebody that’s going to make peace again,” Trump added.
Zelenskyy, who left the White House following the antagonistic exchange, expressed his “gratitude” to the American people after the tense meeting with Trump and Vance.
“Thank you @POTUS, Congress, and the American people. Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for that,” he said on X.
Talking to Fox News, Zelenskyy asserted Ukraine won’t enter peace talks with Russia until it has security guarantees against another offensive. He added Friday’s contentious spat with Trump was “not good for both sides”.
The fallout from the disastrous Trump-Zelenskyy meeting was immediate, with world leaders responding via social media and official channels.
French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking to reporters in Portugal, emphasised continued Western support for Ukraine. “Russia is the aggressor, and Ukraine is the victim. I think we were all right to help Ukraine and sanction Russia three years ago, and we must continue to do so.”
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store called the incident “serious and disheartening.” He remarked, “Ukraine still needs the US’s support, and Ukraine’s security and future are also important to the US. and Europe. Trump’s accusation that Zelenskyy is gambling with World War III is deeply unreasonable. Norway stands with Ukraine in their struggle for freedom.”
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk echoed solidarity, posting on X, “Dear @ZelenskyyUa, dear Ukrainian friends, you are not alone.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen sent a message of encouragement to Zelenskyy: “Be strong, be brave, be fearless. You are never alone, dear President Zelenskyy.”
Meanwhile, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev welcomed the confrontation, posting on Telegram, “For the first time, Trump told the cocaine clown the truth to his face: the Kyiv regime is playing with World War III. The ungrateful pig received a strong slap on the wrist.”
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova mocked Zelenskyy, questioning how Trump and Senator JD Vance “restrained themselves and didn’t hit him,” calling it a “miracle of restraint.”
US-Ukraine ties are shaky as a result of the contentious White House summit. According to a senior U.S. official who spoke to Reuters, Trump has not ruled out an agreement, but only when Ukraine is prepared for a positive dialogue. The official noted that the Ukrainians had the option to reschedule the postponed joint news conference while Zelenskyy was still in the United States.
