The US-Ukraine talks began smoothly, with Donald Trump at one point calling Volodymyr Zelenskyy ‘a great guy’. “I think he’s a great guy,” he said. However, the meeting between the two Presidents quickly took a dramatic turn.
What was supposed to be a routine diplomatic photo opportunity in the White House’s Oval Office on Friday, aimed at advancing peace between Ukraine and Russia, turned into a heated argument that left Ukraine’s future uncertain.
Despite tensions from Trump’s recent outreach to Russia—Ukraine’s main adversary—and his remark calling Zelenskyy a “dictator” the previous week, the conversation began on a relatively positive note, lasting about 40 minutes.
Both leaders, having backgrounds in television, understood how to engage with the cameras. They exchanged handshakes, and Trump, a former reality TV star, made a lighthearted comment about Zelenskyy’s attire, which was less military in appearance than usual.
Zelenskyy, a former comedian, was at the White House to finalize a deal on rare minerals and maintain Trump’s support. He remained measured as they sat in armchairs and answered questions.
Then, the discussion took a sudden and intense turn.
What followed was one of the most confrontational exchanges seen in the Oval Office, a space where US presidents traditionally meet foreign leaders.
Ukraine’s president had hoped to conclude his White House visit on Friday with productive talks with Donald Trump, ending with the signing of a minerals deal that would give the US a role in Ukraine’s future, though not a direct security commitment.
Instead, Volodymyr Zelenskyy was publicly criticized by Trump and US vice president JD Vance, who insisted that he should express more gratitude for years of US assistance for the Russia Ukraine conflict.
Zelenskyy resisted suggestions that he should make greater efforts to negotiate a ceasefire with Vladimir Putin. In response, Trump and Vance accused him of being “disrespectful.”
The meeting ended abruptly, with Zelenskyy being asked to leave before a scheduled press conference could take place.
The minerals deal, which had been discussed and promoted by both sides earlier in the week, was not signed. Shortly before Zelenskyy departed, Trump posted on social media: “Come back when you’re ready for peace.”
The meeting had several key moments of tension. Here are some of the most significant of them
Tensions rise between Zelenskyy and Vance
The meeting started with about 30 minutes of formal discussions and polite exchanges. However, tensions escalated when vice president JD Vance suggested that “the path to peace and the path to prosperity is maybe engaging in diplomacy.”
“That’s what President Trump is doing,” Vance added.
Zelenskyy responded by referring to Russia’s past aggression, including a failed ceasefire in 2019, before the full-scale invasion three years ago. “Nobody stopped him,” he said, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
He then pressed Vance for clarification. “What kind of diplomacy, JD, are you talking about? What do you mean?”
The discussion became more heated when Vance replied, “the kind that will end the destruction of your country.”
Vance then accused Zelenskyy of being disrespectful and attempting to argue his case in front of the American media.
“Mr President, with respect, I think it’s disrespectful for you to come to the Oval Office and try to litigate this in front of the American media. Right now, you guys are going around and forcing conscripts to the frontlines because you have manpower problems. You should be thanking the president,” Vance replied.
The tension stemmed from Vance’s support for Trump’s approach—engaging with Putin and pushing for a ceasefire—which clashed with Zelenskyy’s stance on Russia’s continued aggression.
‘Don’t tell us what we’re going to feel’
During the discussion, Vance questioned Zelenskyy about challenges with Ukraine’s military and conscription. Zelenskyy responded, “During the war, everybody has problems, even you. But you have a nice ocean and don’t feel [it] now, but you will feel it in the future.”
This remark drew a sharp reaction from Trump, who had not been directly involved in the argument up to that point.
Trump, who often frames the war as a conflict in which both sides share responsibility, reacted strongly.
“Don’t tell us what we’re going to feel. You’re in no position to dictate that,” he said, his voice rising.
“You don’t have the cards right now,” he added. “You’re gambling with millions of lives.”
‘You haven’t been alone’: Trump fires back
Later in the meeting, Zelenskyy said, “From the very beginning of the war, we have been alone and we are thankful.”
Trump took issue with this, arguing that the US had provided significant support.
“You haven’t been alone,” he responded. “You haven’t been alone. We gave you—through this stupid president (referring to former US President Joe Biden)—$350 billion.”
Vance then questioned whether Zelenskyy had properly expressed gratitude for US support and accused him of siding with the Democrats during the US election.
This was a reference to Zelenskyy’s visit to a munitions factory in Scranton, Pennsylvania—Biden’s hometown—just weeks before the US presidential election. Republicans saw the visit as a political move that indirectly supported the Democratic campaign.
At this point, the conversation took on elements of America’s own political divisions, adding another layer of tension.
Zelenskyy attempted to respond: “Please, you think that if you will speak very loudly about the war—”
Trump cut him off. “He’s not speaking loudly,” he said, irritated. “Your country’s in big trouble.”
“You’re not winning, you’re not winning this,” Trump added. “You have a damn good chance of coming out OK because of us.”
Zelenskyy pushes back
Trump made his position clear. “It’s going to be a very hard thing to do business like this,” he said. “It’s going to be a tough deal to make because the attitudes have to change.”
Throughout the conversation, Trump and Vance focused on what they saw as Zelenskyy’s lack of gratitude.
“Just say thank you,” Vance said at one point.
Zelenskyy, however, stood his ground, challenging their views and defending Ukraine’s position.
Meanwhile, off-camera, another moment captured the significance of the exchange.
Ukraine’s ambassador to Washington, Oksana Markarova, was seen with her head in her hands as the confrontation escalated.