During a contentious Oval Office exchange, President Trump and Vice President Vance criticized Ukrainian President Zelenskyy for perceived ingratitude regarding U.S. support amid the ongoing war with Russia. The heated discussion, broadcast globally, led to the cancellation of Zelenskyy’s White House visit. Vance argued for diplomacy to end the conflict, while Zelenskyy highlighted the failures of past U.S. administrations to stop Russian aggression. Trump insisted that without U.S. military aid, Ukraine would have quickly lost, emphasizing the importance of gratitude and a ceasefire. The exchange raised concerns about future U.S. support for Ukraine amidst increasing tensions.
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On Friday, President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, claiming he has shown a lack of gratitude after he confronted Vance about diplomacy with Russia’s Vladimir Putin.
The altercation in the Oval Office was broadcast around the world, resulting in the cancellation of the remaining part of Zelenskyy’s White House visit and raising concerns about the future level of U.S. support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s invasion that began in 2022.
Below is a transcript highlighting the key moments from the exchange.
Zelenskyy confronts Vance on Russia and diplomacy
Vance: “For four years, the United States had a president who made tough statements about Vladimir Putin, yet when Putin invaded Ukraine, he caused significant destruction. The way to peace and prosperity might be through diplomacy. We tried the approach of Joe Biden, of boasting and acting as if the words of the president mattered more than his actions. America’s strength lies in its capacity for diplomacy. That’s what President Trump is advocating.”
Zelenskyy: “Can I ask you something?”
Vance: “Sure. Yes.”
Zelenskyy: “Okay. He (Putin) has occupied substantial areas of Ukraine, including parts of the east and Crimea, since 2014. For many years—this isn’t just about Biden; I’m talking about the times of (Barack) Obama, then President Trump, and now President Biden. And we hope that President Trump will finally put an end to this. However, in 2014, no one stopped him. He occupied, he took, he killed people. You know what the –“
Trump: “2015?”
Zelenskyy: “2014.”
Trump: “Oh, 2014? I wasn’t in office then.”
Vance: “Exactly.”
Zelenskyy: “From 2014 until 2022, the situation remained the same, with people dying at the front lines. No one stopped him. We had many discussions with him, including my bilateral conversations. In 2019, I signed agreements with him, (French President Emmanuel) Macron, and (former German Chancellor Angela) Merkel. We agreed on a ceasefire, but he violated it, continued to kill our people, and didn’t follow through with prisoner exchanges. What kind of diplomacy, JD, are you talking about? What do you mean?”
Vance: “I’m speaking about diplomacy that will end the devastation in your country. Mr. President, with all due respect, it’s disrespectful for you to come to the Oval Office and debate this in front of the American media. Right now, conscripts are being sent to the front lines due to a shortage of manpower. You should be thanking the president for striving to bring this conflict to a resolution.”
Zelenskyy: “Have you ever been to Ukraine to speak on our problems?”
Vance: “I have been to -“
Zelenskyy: “You should come at least once.”
Vance: “I’ve witnessed the circumstances, and I know that what happens is you bring people on a propaganda tour, Mr. President. Do you deny that you have issues with recruitment for your military?”
Zelenskyy: “We have problems -“
Vance: “Do you really think it’s respectful to come to the Oval Office of the United States and criticize the administration that is trying to prevent the destruction of your country?”
Zelenskyy: “So many questions. Let’s start at the beginning.”
Vance: “Sure.”
Trump reacts when Zelenskyy hints the U.S. may ‘feel it in the future’
Zelenskyy: “First of all, in wartime, everyone faces problems, even you. But you have a nice ocean and are not feeling it now. However, you will feel it in the future. God bless -“
Trump: “You don’t know that. Don’t tell us what we’re going to feel. We’re trying to resolve a situation. Don’t dictate to us what we’re going to experience.”
Zelenskyy: “I’m not dictating. I’m responding to your queries.”
Trump: “Because you’re in no position to dictate that.”
Vance: “That’s precisely what you’re doing.”
Trump: “You’re in no position to dictate what we will feel. We’re going to feel very good.”
Zelenskyy: “You will feel influenced.”
Trump: “We are going to feel very good and very strong.”
Zelenskyy: “I’m telling you, you will feel influenced.”
Trump: “You’re currently not in a favorable position. You’ve placed yourself in an unfavorable predicament -“
Zelenskyy: “From the very start of the war -“
Trump: “You’re not in a good position. You don’t hold the cards right now. With us, you’re beginning to have cards.”
Zelenskyy: “I’m not playing cards. I’m very serious, Mr. President. I’m very serious.”
Trump: “You’re playing cards. You’re gambling with millions of lives. You’re gambling with World War III.”
Zelenskyy: “What are you talking about?”
Trump: “You’re gambling with World War III. And what you’re doing is very disrespectful to this country that has supported you more than many have claimed they should.”
Vance: “Have you even said thank you once?”
Zelenskyy: “Many times. Even today.”
Vance: “No, in this entire meeting. You went to Pennsylvania and campaigned for the opposition in October.”
Zelenskyy: “No.”
Vance: “Express some gratitude for the United States of America and the president who is endeavoring to save your country.”
Zelenskyy: “Please, you think that if you speak very loudly about the war, you can -“
Trump: “He’s not speaking loudly. He’s not speaking loudly. Your country is in serious trouble.”
Zelenskyy: “Can I respond -“
Trump: “No, no. You’ve talked enough. Your country is in serious trouble.”
Zelenskyy: “I understand. I understand.”
Trump: “You are not winning. You have a significant opportunity to come out alright because of us.”
Zelenskyy: “Mr. President, we are holding our ground in our country, staying strong. From the beginning of the war, we’ve felt alone. And we are grateful. I expressed thanks.”
Trump urges Zelenskyy to accept a ceasefire
Trump: “If you didn’t have our military support, this war would have ended within two weeks.”
Zelenskyy: “In three days. I heard that from Putin. In three days.”
Trump: “Possibly even less. It’s going to be very challenging to conduct business like this, I assure you.”
Vance: “Just say thank you.”
Zelenskyy: “I’ve said thank you many times to the American people.”
Vance: “Accept that there are disagreements, and let’s resolve those disagreements rather than trying to fight it out in the American media when you’re incorrect. We know that you’re incorrect.”
Trump: “But you see, I believe it’s beneficial for the American people to be aware of what’s going on. I believe it’s very important. That’s why I allowed this to go on for so long. You need to express gratitude.”
Zelenskyy: “I’m thankful.”
Trump: “You don’t hold the cards. You’re in a difficult situation. People are dying. You’re running low on soldiers. It would be greatly beneficial, and then you state, ‘I don’t want a ceasefire. I don’t want a ceasefire; I want to continue.’ Look, if you can secure a ceasefire right now, I assure you, you should take it so that the shooting stops and your men cease getting killed.”
Zelenskyy: “Of course we want to end the war. But I’ve told you, under certain guarantees.”
Trump: “Are you implying that you don’t want a ceasefire? I seek a ceasefire because you’ll achieve a ceasefire more quickly than an agreement.”
Zelenskyy: “Inquire about a ceasefire with our people and see what their opinions are.”
Trump: “That was not with me. That was with someone named Biden, who is not very intelligent.”
Zelenskyy: “This is your president. It was your president.”
Trump: “Excuse me. That was with Obama, who provided you with blankets, while I gave you Javelins. I provided you with Javelins to eliminate those tanks. Obama provided you with blankets. In fact, the statement is that Obama provided blankets but Trump provided Javelins. You must be more appreciative because, believe me, without us, you have no cards.”
Trump asserts Putin respects him due to the investigations during his first term
Vance, reiterating a journalist’s question: “She is asking what if Russia violates the ceasefire.”
Trump: “What, if anything? What if a bomb were to drop on your head right now? Okay, what if they broke it? I don’t know; they broke it with Biden because they didn’t respect him. They didn’t respect Obama. They respect me. Let me tell you, Putin faced a lot with me. He went through a phony witch hunt … All I can say is this. He may have broken deals with Obama and Bush; he might have broken them with Biden too. He did, maybe. Maybe he did. I’m not aware of what transpired, but he didn’t do that with me. He wants to negotiate. I don’t know if you can make a deal or not.”
“The challenge is I’ve empowered you (turning to Zelenskyy) to act tough, and I don’t think you would be able to act tough without the United States. Your people are exceedingly brave. But you’re either going to strike a deal or we’re out. And if we’re out, you will have to resolve it. I don’t believe it will be pretty, but you’ll have to settle it. You don’t hold the cards. However, once we finalize that deal, you’ll be in a much better position, but you’re showing no gratitude at all. And that’s not kind. I’ll be honest. That’s not kind.
“Alright, I believe we’ve seen enough. What are your thoughts? This is going to be remarkable television. I can say that.”
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)