U.S. President Donald Trump confronted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a heated Oval Office meeting, leading to Zelensky’s abrupt departure. Trump accused Zelensky of lacking gratitude for U.S. support amid the ongoing war with Russia and stated he was “not ready” for peace negotiations. The two argued over the need for compromises in a potential truce, with Trump and Vice President JD Vance chiding Zelensky for being “disrespectful.” The anticipated minerals deal was not finalized, prompting European leaders to voice support for Ukraine. Trump’s harsh stance has raised concerns among U.S. allies about Ukraine’s future.
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Washington, United States:
<p>On Friday, US President Donald Trump erupted at Volodymyr Zelensky, angrily sending the Ukrainian leader away from the White House after an unprecedented Oval Office meltdown due to Zelensky being "not ready" for peace with Russia.</p>
<p>The stunning confrontation prompted European leaders to rush to express their support for Ukraine, raising further concerns about its capacity to withstand the Russian invasion in light of Zelensky's abrupt departure, which left a proposed minerals deal — viewed as a crucial step toward a US-mediated truce — unresolved.</p>
<p>What unfolded was a fierce confrontation in the Oval Office, where both Trump and Vice President JD Vance shouted at Zelensky, accusing him of lacking gratitude for American assistance during the three-year conflict.</p>
<p>Trump told Zelensky that without US support, Ukraine would have already fallen to Russia, asserting that the wartime leader was ill-equipped to negotiate.</p>
<p>"You don't have the cards right now," he declared. "You're either going to make a deal or we're out, and if we leave, you will have to fight it out, and I don't think it's going to be pretty."</p>
<p>Zelensky left shortly thereafter, with Trump remarking on social media that "he can return when he is prepared for peace."</p>
<p>The minerals agreement went unsigned, and a joint press conference was also canceled. US media indicated that senior officials of Trump instructed Zelensky to leave.</p>
<p>Later, Trump accused his former ally of "overplaying his hand," asserting his desire for an immediate end to the fighting while claiming Zelensky opposed a ceasefire.</p>
<p>Zelensky, for his part, declined to apologize during a subsequent interview with Fox News.</p>
<p>Expressing respect for Trump and the American people, he stated to Fox's Brett Baier: "I'm not sure that we did something wrong."</p>
<h3><strong>'Not alone'</strong></h3>
<p>European allies, increasingly apprehensive that Trump might compel Ukraine to concede victory to Russian President Vladimir Putin, quickly rallied behind Zelensky.</p>
<p>"You are not alone," Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk declared in a message of solidarity that resonated throughout Western Europe.</p>
<p>British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, fresh from his recent visit to the White House, mentioned that he had communicated with both Trump and Zelensky following the altercation, pledging "unwavering support" for Kyiv.</p>
<p>Far-right Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni demanded an immediate summit involving the United States, Europe, and their allies regarding Ukraine.</p>
<p>Trump and Vance are essentially "doing Putin's dirty work," tweeted top US Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Russia welcomed the breakdown in relations between Kyiv and Washington.</p>
<p>Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev branded Zelensky an "insolent pig" who had received "a proper slap down in the Oval Office."</p>
<p>"How Trump and Vance managed to refrain from physically confronting that scumbag is a miraculous display of restraint," remarked a spokesperson from the foreign ministry.</p>
<p>Trump's Republican Party mirrored Russian sentiments by blaming Zelensky.</p>
<p>"I can't believe that a majority of Americans, after witnessing today's events, would want to partner with Zelensky," remarked Senator Lindsey Graham.</p>
<p>Ukraine appeared unified in support of Zelensky, with its military chief pledging loyalty while the foreign minister commended his "bravery."</p>
<h3><strong>Compromise row</strong></h3>
<p>The fallout occurred after Trump asserted that Ukraine would need to make "compromises" in a potential truce with Russia, which continues to occupy significant portions of the country.</p>
<p>Zelensky firmly stated there should be "no compromises with a killer on our territory."</p>
<p>When he pointed out the failure of previous peace efforts to deter Russian aggression, Vance interrupted angrily, labeling him "disrespectful."</p>
<p>The session escalated into a public confrontation, with Trump and Vance loudly reprimanding the Ukrainian leader in front of international media.</p>
<h3><strong>Trump's 'numerous' Putin calls</strong></h3>
<p>Trump has caused concern in Kyiv and among European allies due to his sudden reversal in US policy, positioning himself as a mediator between Putin and Zelensky while refusing to denounce the Russian invasion.</p>
<p>He mentioned in the Oval Office that he had "spoken on numerous occasions" to Putin, more than has been publicly disclosed.</p>
<p>Before the shouting match, Trump told Zelensky that a truce is "fairly close."</p>
<p>The proposed minerals agreement was intended to offer Washington financial gains for its assistance to Ukraine in a truce, even as Trump has consistently declined to commit any US military forces to support European peacekeepers.</p>
<p>In a recent statement, Trump labeled Zelensky a "dictator" and claimed he trusts Putin to "keep his word" regarding a ceasefire.</p>
<p>As this unfolded, Russia's offensive against Ukraine persisted.</p>
<p>On Friday, Russian infantry were reported to be storming the Ukrainian border from the Russian region of Kursk, near areas of the region that were seized by Ukrainian forces last summer, according to Kyiv.</p>
<p>(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)</p>