Donald Trump accused Volodymyr Zelenskyy of “gambling with the Third World War” (World War III) of shortening the long-standing meetings of Ukrainian leaders at the White House and told him “when he was ready for peace.”
In a joint appearance at the Oval Office on Friday, the two leaders clashed even before the formal meeting began as Ukrainian president bid to improve tensions with Washington with a startling attitude.
Trump expressed his repeated mention of his need for American security assurance on Zelenskyy, and Trump said: “You don’t have a card right now. . . You’re gambling the lives of millions. You’re gambling with World War III.”
In recent weeks, the U.S. president has repeatedly lashed out at the other side in Ukraine, and he has made a final speech, saying he either “reach an agreement” [on the war]or we’re out.”
The extraordinary conflict has made people doubt the future process of any attempt to end the Three Years War. Although Trump has been striving for swift deals with Russia and Ukraine, Kiev said there would be no stable deal without the security support of the United States.
In a statement announcing the White House talks, the camera was conquered for several minutes, and Trump wrote: “President Zelensky is not prepared for peace if he is involved in the United States because he feels our participation gives him a great advantage in negotiations.”
He added: “I don’t want an advantage, I want peace. He doesn’t respect the United States of America in his precious Oval Office. When he is ready for peace, he can come back.
On Friday afternoon, Zelenskyy wrote on X: “Thank you the United States, thank you for your support, thank you for this visit. Thank you @potus, Congress and the American people. Ukraine needs a just and lasting peace and we are working on it.”
At the Oval Office meeting, Vice President JD Vance criticized Zelenskyy for saying he was not grateful enough for the Trump administration.
Later on Friday, Trump said the meeting with Zelenskyy “has not completely worked from his perspective. His hands are very exaggerated. We are looking for peace.”
“He wants to continue fighting, fighting, fighting, fighting, fighting,” Trump said. “We want to end death.”
The fierce dispute shocked the Ukrainians who have been expecting to watch the signing of the mineral agreement Zelenskyy hopes will help move key allies to provide assurances that could strengthen a future ceasefire.
A man from Zelenskyy of the Oval Office told the Financial Times that the meeting was over and no deal was signed.
When Fox News was asked Friday night if he owed Trump an apology, Zelensky said: “I respect the president, I respect the American people. I think we have to be very open and very honest, and I’m not sure we’re not doing well.”
“It’s not good for both sides,” he added. When asked if his relationship with Trump could be saved, he said, “Yes.”
The battle was an extraordinary week, with the United States fighting against historical allies such as Britain and France in a week with countries such as Russia, China, and the United Nations North and Belarus.
European officials were shocked in the Oval Office scene, with a senior diplomat concluding that “we are one person” and described the Trump administration as “no forest.”
“We finally need to wake up and realize: ‘That’s it.”
During the dispute, the Ukrainian ambassador to Washington Oksana Markarova was seen closing his eyes, lowering his head, grabbing the bridge of his nose, as the debate escalated.
Zelenskyy said previous discussions with President Vladimir Putin were failing to stop Russia from attacking Ukraine again after the 2014 Crimea annexation.
“He broke the ceasefire and killed our people,” Zelensky said. “What kind of diplomacy are you asking?” He said that in response to Vance’s comment, the United States is trying to make diplomacy.
“We have been one person since the beginning of the war,” Zelenskyy added.
He was scolded by Vance, who asked, “Do you think it is respectful to come to the Oval Office of the United States of America and attack the government trying to prevent the destruction of your country?”
Ukrainian leader replied: “During the war, everyone has problems, even you, but you have [a] Nice ocean, don’t think [it] Now, but you will feel it in the future. “Trump answered Zelenskyy “there is no way to decide what we are going to feel.”
Trump and Vance urged Zelenskyy to thank the United States. “You didn’t win. You didn’t win this. Because of us, you have a good chance to come out,” Trump said.
Republican Senator and Trump Ally Lindsey Graham told reporters outside the White House Friday afternoon that Zelenskyy should resign if he is unwilling to work with the administration.
“He either needs to quit and send someone we can do business with us or need to change,” Graham said.
Trump has been seeking a seat on the negotiating table by having direct negotiations with Putin to end the conflict, after Trump’s blind negotiations and other European capitals.
The leaders also set out to sign a mineral agreement to establish a joint U.S.-Ukrainian “Investment Fund” that earned half of all revenue from the “future monetization” of Kiev-owned natural resources.
Zelenskyy’s visit to the United States came in appeals from British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, lobbying Trump to provide U.S. “Backup” to European peacekeepers in Ukraine after the battle.
Trump also refused to guarantee the U.S. military as Starmer and Zelenskyy hoped.
“Your dignity respects the heroism of the Ukrainian people. Strong, brave, fearless. Dear President Zelenskyy, you will never be alone.”
Other reports by Henry Foy in Brussels and Leila Abboud in Paris
