During a heated exchange in the Oval Office on Friday, President Trump told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that he was “gambling with World War III.” He then canceled a press conference and said the wartime leader was “not ready for peace” with Russia.
After a friendly first 45 minutes, Zelensky seemed to patronize Vice President JD Vance, which caused the high-stakes visit to go awry. Originally, the visit was supposed to include the signing of a framework agreement that would give the US a stake in Ukraine’s rare-earth elements.
After Zelensky began the visit by showing Trump pictures of Ukrainian civilians both before and after they were taken hostage by Russian forces, and by giving him the heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk’s belt, the spark seemed to appear out of nowhere.
Trump even stood up for Zelensky when a right-wing media figure attacked Kyiv’s CEO for not dressing in a suit but rather a military sweatshirt.
When Vance said that “the path to peace and the path to prosperity is maybe engaging in diplomacy” and attacked former President Joe Biden’s leadership during the three-year conflict, the discussion suddenly soured.
Zelensky responded to the VP’s comment, even though he was not required to, by listing examples of Russia breaking treaties and agreements before asking, “What kind of diplomacy, JD, you are [sic] speaking about?”
A shouting match broke out between the men after Vance retorted that it was “disrespectful for you to come into the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the American media”; a US official involved in arranging the visit claimed that the altercation was completely unplanned.
The harsh words that followed, according to another US official, caused Trump to oust Zelensky before the mining agreement could be signed.
Vance remarked, “You guys should be thanking the president for wanting to end the conflict, but instead you’re going around forcing conscripts to the front lines because you have manpower problems.”
“Have you visited Ukraine before? Have you noticed the issues we face? Zelensky shot back, saying that Vance “will feel” things. “Come once.”
Trump cautioned his counterpart in Kyiv, saying, “Don’t tell us what we’re going to feel,” while Vance retaliated that Ukraine was taking Americans on a “propaganda tour.”
“We’re attempting to resolve an issue. “Avoid telling us how we will feel,” Trump chastised.
“You have no right to tell us how we should feel. It’s going to feel great. We will feel incredibly strong and happy. You’re not in a great position right now. You’ve given yourself permission to be in a terrible situation.
“With World War III, you’re taking a risk. Additionally, what you’re doing is extremely disrespectful to the nation, which has supported you much more than many believe they ought to.
“Have you ever expressed gratitude?” Vance pushed.
In October, you traveled to Pennsylvania to campaign for the opposition. Express gratitude to the President of the United States of America for his efforts to save your nation.
Trump interjected once more after Zelensky accused Vance of talking “very loudly.”
He’s not talking too loudly. Zelensky attempted to interrupt, but the president told him, “No, no, you’ve done a lot of talking,” adding, “Your country is in big trouble.”
“Your nation is in serious danger. This is not something you are winning. Because of us, you have a very good chance of surviving.
Trump continued his tirade as Zelensky tried to cut him off once more.
“Through this dumb president [Joe Biden], we gave you $350 billion.” We provided you with military gear. This war would have ended in two weeks if you hadn’t had our military hardware.
Trump continued by telling Zelensky, “You don’t have the cards, so you have to be grateful.”
“Your people are dying.” There aren’t enough soldiers left. You’re running low on soldiers, listen. You go on to say, “I don’t want a cease-fire.” A cease-fire is not what I desire.
“It’ll be a tough deal to make, because the attitudes have to change,” Trump continued.
“You will either strike a deal or we will part ways, and if we part ways, you will fight it out.” Trump said, “This is going to be great television, I will say that,” before requesting that reporters leave. “I don’t think it’s going to be pretty,” he concluded.
The head of the free world announced that Zelensky’s visit was over nearly an hour after the press pool had left the Oval Office.
“I’ve concluded that President Zelenskyy [sic] is not prepared for peace if America is involved, as he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding that “it’s amazing what comes out through emotion.”
“I desire peace, not advantage. He disregarded the beloved Oval Office of the United States of America. When he is ready for peace, he can return.
Two hours and twenty minutes after arriving, Zelensky hurried out of the West Wing and into a waiting car, the administration’s warning still echoing in his ears.
“Thank you America, thank you for your support, thank you for this visit,” Zelensky wrote in a conciliation tweet on X forty minutes after his departure. Thank you to the American people, Congress, and @POTUS. We are working specifically to bring about the just and lasting peace that Ukraine needs.
As he departed the White House for Mar-a-Lago on Friday night, Trump brought up the argument again, telling reporters that Zelensky “very much overplayed his hand.”
“I want to find peace.” We don’t intend to play games and enter a ten-year conflict. The president clarified, “We want peace.” “I’m not looking for what [Zelensky is] looking for. He wants to keep fighting and keep fighting. Our goal is to stop the death.
“Thank you America, thank you for your support, thank you for this visit,” Zelensky wrote in a conciliation tweet on X forty minutes after his departure. Thank you to the American people, Congress, and @POTUS. We are working specifically to bring about the just and lasting peace that Ukraine needs.
As he departed the White House for Mar-a-Lago on Friday night, Trump brought up the argument again, telling reporters that Zelensky “very much overplayed his hand.”
“I want to find peace.” We don’t intend to play games and enter a ten-year conflict. The president clarified, “We want peace.” “I’m not looking for what [Zelensky is] looking for. He wants to keep fighting and keep fighting. Our goal is to stop the death.
