US President Donald Trump confronted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a heated Oval Office meeting, abruptly ending discussions meant to strengthen Ukraine-US relations. Trump accused Zelensky of not being grateful for US support against Russia and asserted that Ukraine was unprepared for peace negotiations. The duo’s clash culminated in Zelensky leaving without securing an important minerals deal critical for Ukraine’s post-war recovery. European allies expressed support for Zelensky, concerned about Trump’s emerging stance that favors compromises with Russia. Tensions rise as Trump’s approach to Russia diverges from traditional US foreign policy, alarming Kyiv and its supporters.
Washington:
US President Donald Trump lashed out at Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday, furiously sending the Ukrainian leader out of the White House after an astonishing Oval Office outburst because he was “not ready” for peace with Russia.
The sudden departure, which cut short what was intended to be a day of Ukraine-US diplomatic discussions, meant Zelensky left without an agreement for joint development of his country’s mineral resources that was part of a post-war recovery plan in a potential US-brokered ceasefire.
Instead, a heated confrontation erupted in the Oval Office where Trump and Vice President JD Vance yelled at Zelensky, accusing him of lacking “gratitude” for US support in the three-year conflict against the Russian invasion.
Pointing out that without US aid Ukraine would have fallen to Russia, Trump asserted that Zelensky was not in a strong position to negotiate.
“You don’t have the cards right now,” he stated. “You’re either going to make a deal or we’re out, and if we’re out, you’ll have to fend for yourself, and I don’t think it’s going to be pretty.”
Zelensky left shortly afterward, with Trump posting on social media that “he can return when he is ready for peace.”
The minerals agreement was left unsigned, and a joint press conference was called off. US media reported that Zelensky was instructed to leave by senior officials in the Trump administration.
– ‘Not alone’ –
European allies of the US — increasingly concerned that Trump would compel Ukraine into an arrangement effectively granting victory to President Vladimir Putin — quickly voiced their support for Zelensky.
“You are not alone,” Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated.
“Ukraine, Spain stands with you,” echoed the Spanish premier, Pedro Sanchez.
The German foreign minister posted on X that “Germany, together with our European allies, stands united with #Ukraine — and against the Russian aggression.”
Democratic lawmakers in Washington expressed shock.
Trump and Vance are “doing Putin’s dirty work,” posted Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.
Meanwhile, Russia expressed satisfaction with the breakdown in relations between Kyiv and Washington, which has supported Ukraine for years.
“How Trump and Vance restrained themselves from attacking that scumbag is a miracle of restraint,” commented foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.
Trump’s Republican party mirrored this sentiment, criticizing Zelensky.
“I can’t believe most Americans, after what they witnessed today, would want to partner with Zelensky,” said Senator Lindsey Graham.
In Kyiv, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha commended Zelensky’s “courage,” while a presidential source indicated that Washington seemed to be “openly aligning with Russia.”
– Compromise row –
This meltdown followed Trump’s insistence that Ukraine must make “compromises” in a truce with Russia, which has captured significant territories in Ukraine, devastating cities and towns.
Showing Trump images of war atrocities and mentioning Putin, Zelensky stated there should be “no compromises with a killer on our land.”
After Zelensky pointed out that previous Western-backed peace initiatives with Moscow had failed to prevent Russia from seizing increasing portions of Ukraine prior to the large-scale invasion in 2022, Vance interrupted angrily, branding him “disrespectful.”
From that moment, the meeting devolved into a situation where Trump and Vance openly criticized the Ukrainian leader in front of US and international media.
– Trump’s ‘numerous’ Putin calls –
Leaders from France and Britain had also visited the White House this week, aiming to persuade Trump not to adopt the Russian perspective and to reinforce US support for Ukraine in any potential truce.
Trump has alarmed Kyiv and European allies by reversing US policy, presenting himself as a mediator between Putin and Zelensky while refusing to denounce the Russian invasion.
Trump mentioned in the Oval Office that he had “spoken on numerous occasions” with Putin — more than what has been publicly revealed beyond their lengthy phone conversation earlier this month.
Before the shouting match escalated, Trump had told Zelensky that a truce is “fairly close.” He also remarked that the proposed minerals agreement would be “very fair.”
The proposal aimed to offer financial benefits to Washington for aiding Ukraine in a ceasefire, even though Trump has repeatedly declined to commit any US military support as backup for European troops who might act as peacekeepers.
Last week, Trump referred to Zelensky as a “dictator,” aligning with Russian rhetoric. He has also expressed trust in Putin — someone he has frequently stated he admires — to “keep his word” on a ceasefire.
Despite this, on Thursday, Trump had indicated he was willing to collaborate with Zelensky, asserting, “I have a lot of respect for him.”
As tensions between Moscow and Washington escalated, Russia’s aggression against Ukraine continued unabated.
On Friday, Russian forces were reportedly storming the Ukrainian border from the Russian region of Kursk, near areas that Ukrainian troops had seized last summer, according to Kyiv reports.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)