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The White House announced that Volodymyr Zelensky left early following a public confrontation with Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance, Reuters reports. Zelensky had been set to sign a mineral extraction deal with the U.S. After the meeting, Trump issued a statement on his social media platform, Truth Social.
“We had a very meaningful meeting in the White House today. Much was learned that could never be understood without conversation under such fire and pressure. It’s amazing what comes out through emotion, and 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 in negotiations. I don’t want advantage, I want PEACE. He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for Peace.”
During the White House meeting, a heated exchange broke out in front of the cameras between President Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky. Trump told Zelensky to “be thankful” for U.S. assistance and accused him of “gambling with World War III.” He claimed that without American weapons and equipment, the war would have ended in two weeks and warned that Zelensky must either reach a peace agreement or risk losing U.S. support. Zelensky pushed back, arguing that negotiations were impossible with an opponent who breaks agreements, kills people, and refuses to exchange prisoners.
Vice President J.D. Vance also joined the confrontation, accusing Zelensky of disrespecting the U.S. administration by coming to the Oval Office only to publicly criticize those trying to prevent his country’s destruction. Zelensky invited Vance to visit Ukraine and see the situation for himself, adding that while the U.S. remains shielded by the ocean and has yet to feel the consequences, it may face them in the future. Trump abruptly cut him off, saying he had no right to speak about Americans' concerns and that Ukraine “doesn't have the cards.” As the meeting ended, Zelensky remarked that it would make for a “great TV show.”
Key excerpts from the conversation:
Reporter: Why don't you wear a suit? You're at the highest level in this country's office, and you refuse to wear a suit… A lot of Americans have problems with you not respecting this office.
Zelensky: I will wear a costume after this war will finish.
Reporter: Maybe something like this? (Gestures to his own suit.)
Zelensky: May be something like yours, yes, maybe something better… Maybe something cheaper.
[...]
Trump: The problem is, I've empowered you to be a tough guy and I don’t think you’d be a tough guy without the U.S. Your people are very brave, but you're either going to make a deal, or we are out. And if we are out, you’ll fight it out, I don't think it's going to be pretty. You don't have the cards. But once we sign that deal, you’re in a much better position. But you’re not acting at all thankful, and that’s not a nice thing, I'll be honest, that’s not a nice thing.
Zelensky: He [Putin] broke the ceasefire, he killed our people, and he didn't exchange prisoners. We signed the exchange of prisoners, but he didn’t do it. What kind of diplomacy, JD, are you speaking about?
Vance: I’m talking about the kind of diplomacy that is going to end the destruction of your country.
Zelensky: Yes, but...
Vance: Mr. President, with respect, I think it's disrespectful for you to come to the Oval Office and thy 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 [Trump] for...
Zelensky: Have you ever been to Ukraine that you say what problems we have? Come once.
Vance: I’ve actually watched and seen the stories, and I know what happens is you bring people on a propaganda tour. Do you disagree that you've had problems bringing people in your military? Do you think it is respectful to come to the Oval Office of the USA and attack the administration that’s trying to prevent the destruction of your country?
Zelensky: First of all, during the war, everybody has problems, even you. But you have a nice ocean and don’t feel [the problems] now. But you will feel it in the future.
Trump: You don’t know that. Don’t tell us what we’re going to feel. We’re trying to solve a problem. [...] You’re in no position to dictate what we’re going to feel… You don’t have the cards right now. You’re gambling with World War III.
Zelensky: Can I ask…
Trump: No, no, you’ve done a lot of talking. [...] You have to be thankful. Your country has big problems. That stupid president gave you $350 billion. We want to save your country and end the war. Then you tell us, “I don't want a ceasefire.” Without us, you don't have any cards. [...]
Zelensky: I didn’t come here to play cards.
Trump: If you didn’t have our military equipment, this war would have been over in two weeks.
Zelensky: In three days, I heard it from Putin, in three days, in two weeks.
Trump: This is going to be great television.
In the end, the U.S.-Ukraine deal on rare earth metals was not signed.