Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s meeting with Donald Trump at the White House on Friday turned into a heated confrontation, as the two leaders clashed over the ongoing war with Russia. Zelensky had hoped to use the opportunity to convince the U.S. not to side with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who launched the invasion of Ukraine three years ago.
However, the meeting soured quickly as President Trump and Vice President JD Vance sharply criticized Zelensky, accusing him of disrespecting the United States, resulting in a breakdown in relations with Ukraine’s most significant wartime ally. According to a U.S. official, Zelensky was instructed to leave the meeting abruptly.
The hoped-for agreement between Ukraine and the U.S. to jointly develop Ukraine’s natural resources, which Kyiv and its European partners believed could improve relations, was left unresolved. European leaders rushed to defend Zelensky, with German chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz stating, “We must never confuse aggressor and victim in this terrible war.”
Zelensky engaged in phone discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and EU Council President Antonio Costa, according to a Ukrainian official in Washington. Meanwhile, the U.K. plans to host a European leaders’ meeting with Zelensky on Sunday to discuss a security backup for any peace deal between Moscow and Kyiv.
Trump, who has increasingly favored Russia since his presidency, appeared to demonstrate this shift most publicly during the meeting. The exchange escalated when Vance emphasized the need for diplomacy, while Zelensky questioned the sincerity of such efforts, citing failed diplomatic engagements with Russia.
“I’m talking about the kind of diplomacy that’s going to end the destruction of your country,” Vance retorted. Zelensky countered, asking, “What kind of diplomacy are you talking about, JD?” and stressed that Putin couldn’t be trusted.
Zelensky challenged Trump’s softer stance toward Putin, urging him to “make no compromises with a killer.” In response, Trump quickly took to Truth Social, accusing Zelensky of disrespecting the U.S. and declaring that the Ukrainian leader was not ready for peace. Trump later told reporters, “What he’s got to say is, ‘I want to make peace.’”
Zelensky, however, seemed willing to salvage the relationship, telling Fox News, “Yes, of course,” in response to whether the rift with Trump could be mended, expressing some regret and offering an apology.
The Ukrainian military chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi, posted a statement on Telegram reaffirming their commitment to Zelensky and Ukraine’s unity. While Ukrainians rallied around their president, concerns grew about continued U.S. military aid, which Ukraine depends on.
In Congress, reactions to Trump’s handling of the meeting were mixed, with Republican views divided and Democrats critical of the approach. During the meeting, Zelensky, speaking in his non-native English, was repeatedly interrupted by Trump and Vance, with Trump stating, “You’re not in a good position. You don’t have the cards right now. With us, you start having cards.”
Zelensky, not backing down, responded, “I’m not playing cards, I’m very serious, Mr. President.” Trump, however, fired back, “You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people, you’re gambling with World War Three.”
The meeting ended abruptly when Trump instructed his aides to tell Zelensky to leave, even though lunch preparations for the delegations were underway. The clash prevented the signing of a mineral deal, which Ukraine had hoped would garner Trump’s support for its war effort.
Trump, who has been distancing himself from direct military involvement in Ukraine, threatened to withdraw U.S. support unless Ukraine made a deal with Russia. “You’re either going to make a deal, or we’re out, and if we’re out, you’ll fight it out,” Trump warned.
In a tense exchange, Trump criticized Zelensky for not being thankful enough for American support. “You didn’t say thank you,” Vance told Zelensky, who responded, “I said a lot of times thank you to American people.”
Zelensky, once a recipient of billions of dollars in U.S. aid, now faces a very different attitude from Trump, who is keen on de-escalating the war, improving relations with Russia, and redirecting U.S. spending toward rebuilding efforts. Trump stated, “I hope I’m going to be remembered as a peacemaker.”
Despite rapid growth in Ukraine’s defense industry, the country remains heavily reliant on foreign military assistance while dealing with manpower shortages. While Ukraine successfully repelled the initial Russian invasion and regained some territory, Russia still holds about a fifth of Ukraine, and the war continues.
Trump’s recent comments have reflected a growing distance from Zelensky, with criticisms of his handling of the war and suggestions that he should agree to the minerals deal, a stance Trump later distanced himself from.
