President Donald Trump dressed down Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office on Friday ‒ and later told him to leave the White House ‒ in a remarkable public spat that jeopardized continued U.S. support for Ukraine in its war with Russia.
A tense exchange turned into a verbal explosion after Vice President JD Vance told Zelenskyy he was being “disrespectful” to Trump and should be thanking the U.S. rather than lecturing it on the cause of the war. Shortly after the meeting blew up, Trump said he’s “determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for Peace if America is involved.” Zelenskyy abruptly left the White House at Trump’s demand, according to a White House official, without signing a deal for the U.S. to receive revenue from Ukraine’s minerals in exchange for military assistance.
“He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for Peace,” Trump said in a statement.
Trump: ‘You’re gambling with World War III’
The meeting came after Trump opened negotiations this month with Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine in a dramatic break from longstanding U.S. policy and the Biden administration’s complete support for Ukraine. A joint press conference that was scheduled for Trump and Zelenskyy to hold after the meeting was canceled. As tempers flared in the Oval Office, Zelenskyy told Trump an ocean separates the U.S. from the conflict now, “but you will feel it in the future.” “Don’t tell us what we’re going to feel. We’re trying to solve a problem. Don’t tell us what we’re going to feel,” Trump retorted.
Zelenskyy interjected. “I’m not telling you,” he said. Vance hit back. “That’s exactly what you’re doing,” the vice president said. “You’re in no position to dictate what we’re going to feel,” a heated Trump responded. “We are going to feel very good and very strong. You’re right now not in a very good position … You’re not in a good position. You don’t have the cards right now. With us, you start having cards.”
Trump continued: “You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people. You’re gambling with World War III … And what you’re doing is very disrespectful to the country, this country.”