Trump-Zelenskyy White House Meeting Erupts into Heated Exchange

A White House meeting between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, aimed at securing a deal granting the U.S. access to Ukraine's rare mineral rights, quickly devolved into a heated exchange. The two leaders talked over each other, with Trump warning Zelenskyy, "You're either going to make a deal or we're out."

In a statement after the meeting, Trump declared that the proposed deal was off, accusing Zelenskyy of using U.S. involvement to gain an advantage in negotiations. Trump posted on social media, "I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for peace if America is involved because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage."

"He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for peace," Trump added.

The meeting, attended by American and Ukrainian reporters, took a combative turn around 40 minutes in, when Zelenskyy brought up Russia's 2014 invasion of Crimea. U.S. Vice President JD Vance immediately criticized Zelenskyy, accusing him of using the Oval Office for a "propaganda tour."

Vance and Trump both expressed frustration, saying Zelenskyy had shown insufficient gratitude for the aid Ukraine had received from the U.S.

"You don't have the cards right now," Trump said, raising his voice as Zelenskyy attempted to respond. "You're gambling with the lives of millions of people. You're gambling with World War III."

Zelenskyy, visibly frustrated, left the White House early, and a planned joint press conference was canceled.

Later, Trump addressed the press, saying the talks "didn't work out exactly great." He reiterated that if the U.S. were to sign the mineral deal, he believed Zelenskyy was "looking to go on and fight, fight, fight." Trump added, "We are not looking to go into a 10-year war and play games."

When asked what Zelenskyy would need to do to restart talks, Trump bluntly responded, "He's got to say, 'I want to make peace.'"

Zelenskyy's Response
Despite the abrupt end to the meeting, Zelenskyy took to social media to thank the American people and leadership. "Thank you, America. Thank you @POTUS, Congress, and the American people. Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for that," he posted on X.

Later, in an interview with Fox News, Zelenskyy expressed hope that the U.S.-Ukraine relationship could be repaired, adding that he didn’t want to lose the U.S. as a partner. However, he also urged Trump to be "more on our side." When asked whether he should apologize, Zelenskyy responded, "I think that we have to be very open and very honest, and I'm not sure that we did something bad."

The Mineral Deal
Before the meeting became contentious, Trump indicated that a deal was nearly finalized. "We have something that is a very fair deal, and we look forward to getting in and digging, digging, digging," Trump said, referring to the extraction of Ukraine's rare earth minerals.

The deal would have seen Ukraine co-own and manage a reconstruction fund, allocating 50% of future revenues from its natural resources. However, a White House spokesperson later confirmed that the agreement was not signed.

Fallout
The collapse of the meeting was met with mixed reactions from U.S. lawmakers. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries praised Zelenskyy, saying, "For three years, President Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people have stood on the side of democracy, freedom, and truth. Their success is in the national security interests of the United States. We should stand with Ukraine until victory is won."

Republican Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, however, voiced support for Trump, writing on Facebook, "Thanks to President Trump — the days of America being taken advantage of and disrespected are OVER."

The meeting's public breakdown was welcomed by some Russian officials. Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chair of Russia's National Security Council, posted on X, "The insolent pig finally got a proper slap down in the Oval Office," adding, "Trump is right: The Kiev regime is 'gambling with WWIII.'"

European Responses
European officials expressed solidarity with Ukraine. Kaja Kallas, the European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs, tweeted, "Ukraine is Europe! We stand by Ukraine. We will step up our support to Ukraine so that they can continue to fight back the aggressor."

Other European leaders echoed Kallas’s sentiment, emphasizing that Ukraine's struggle is also Europe's struggle.

First White House Meeting
Although Trump and Zelenskyy have previously met, Friday marked their first in-person meeting at the White House. Earlier this month, the two spoke by phone after Trump’s call with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Since taking office, Trump has ramped up his pressure on Ukraine, claiming that Kyiv started the war with Russia and labeling Zelenskyy a "dictator." Russian forces invaded Ukraine in February 2022, and Trump has been critical of U.S. spending on the war, citing an inflated figure of $350 billion.

Trump has also pursued direct negotiations with Russia, without the involvement of Ukraine or European allies. He defended these talks as "common sense" and expressed confidence that Putin would "keep his word" if a peace deal is reached.