Washington (AP) — A tense and dramatic confrontation unfolded in the Oval Office on Friday as former President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy engaged in a heated exchange that resulted in the abrupt cancellation of a key minerals deal between the two nations.
What was meant to be a diplomatic milestone swiftly unraveled into a spectacle of open hostility, with Trump berating Zelenskyy as “disrespectful” and accusing him of gambling with global stability. The rare public fallout between the leaders raises new questions about the future of U.S.-Ukraine relations and American involvement in Kyiv’s defense against Russia.
A Deal Derailed
Zelenskyy’s visit to Washington was expected to culminate in the signing of a minerals agreement that would have granted the U.S. greater access to Ukraine’s valuable rare earth resources. Instead, the meeting dissolved into a shouting match, leading Trump to scrap the signing ceremony and order the Ukrainian leader to leave the White House.
“You’re gambling with World War III,” Trump told Zelenskyy. “And what you’re doing is very disrespectful to this country—this country that has backed you more than many say we should have.”
The incident left the status of the minerals deal uncertain. Trump had previously framed the agreement as essential to justifying over $180 billion in U.S. aid to Ukraine, but it now appears stalled, with no immediate path forward.
Tensions Boil Over
The meeting, which lasted nearly 45 minutes, took a sharp turn when Vice President J.D. Vance confronted Zelenskyy, accusing him of using the Oval Office as a platform to challenge American policy.
“Mr. President, with respect, I think it’s inappropriate for you to come here and argue your case in front of the American media,” Vance said.
Zelenskyy attempted to respond, but Trump escalated the exchange, raising his voice and telling him, “You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people.”
The crux of the disagreement appeared to be Trump’s insistence that the minerals deal could serve as a pathway to ending the war with Russia—an assertion that Zelenskyy rejected outright. The Ukrainian president cited Russian President Vladimir Putin’s repeated violations of ceasefires and agreements, arguing that Moscow could not be trusted.
Trump dismissed these concerns, noting that Putin had “never broken agreements with me.” He then faulted Zelenskyy’s deep distrust of Russia as an impediment to peace, remarking, “You see the hatred he’s got for Putin. That’s very tough for me to make a deal with that kind of hate.”
Fallout and Reaction
Following the explosive meeting, Zelenskyy appeared on Fox News, acknowledging the dispute but insisting Ukraine remains committed to its partnership with the United States.
“It’s not good for either side,” Zelenskyy said of the clash. He also pushed back against the idea that Ukraine could simply shift its stance on Russia overnight. “Our people have suffered too much. They just want to know that America is still on our side.”
Trump, however, took to his social media platform to deliver a blunt verdict: “Zelenskyy is not ready for peace. He disrespected the United States in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for peace.”
The confrontation drew sharp criticism from Democratic lawmakers. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer accused Trump and Vance of “doing Putin’s dirty work,” while other officials expressed concern that Trump might push Ukraine into a rushed peace deal that disproportionately benefits Russia.
A Diplomatic Fracture?
The public clash between Trump and Zelenskyy stood in stark contrast to Trump’s remarks just a day earlier, when he had taken a more measured tone, calling U.S. support for Ukraine “a very worthy thing to do.” However, Friday’s confrontation seemed to mark a turning point, with Trump signaling a potential shift in American policy.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a longtime Trump ally who has advocated for continued U.S. support for Ukraine, appeared unsettled by the exchange. “I don’t know if you can ever do a deal with Zelenskyy anymore,” he said.
European leaders were quick to reaffirm their backing of Ukraine. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen praised Zelenskyy’s “dignity” and urged him to “be strong, be brave, be fearless.” Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called for an immediate summit among Western allies, warning that divisions within the West “only strengthen those who wish to see our civilization in decline.”
What Comes Next?
With tensions between Washington and Kyiv now at a boiling point, it remains unclear whether Trump intends to renegotiate the minerals deal or if his administration will push Ukraine toward a peace settlement on terms more favorable to Russia. For now, Zelenskyy has left Washington empty-handed—without a signed agreement, but with a renewed urgency to rally global support for Ukraine’s survival.
As for Trump, he summed up the event in typical fashion: “This is going to be great television.”
