WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump chastised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for being “disrespectful” in an extraordinary Oval Office meeting on Friday, then abruptly canceled the signing of a minerals deal with the United States, which Trump claimed would have brought Ukraine closer to ending its war with Russia.
The unexpected turn of events could destabilize international relations in Europe and around the world. During his meeting with Trump, Zelenskyy intended to sign the agreement granting the US greater access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals and then hold a joint news conference.
Instead, Ukraine’s president exited the White House shortly after Trump yelled at him, expressing open contempt. Untouched salad plates and other lunch items were being packed outside the Cabinet room, where Trump and Zelenskyy were supposed to have lunch with their delegations.
According to the White House, the Ukrainian delegation was told to leave.
“You are gambling with World War III, and what you are doing is very disrespectful to the country, this country that is backed you far more than a lot of people say they should have,” according to Trump.
The final ten minutes of the nearly 45-minute meeting devolved into a heated exchange between Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Zelenskyy, who had urged skepticism about Russia’s commitment to diplomacy, citing Moscow’s years of broken promises on the global stage.
Zelenskyy’s main goal heading into the meeting had been to persuade Trump not to abandon his country and to warn against becoming too close to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Instead, he was yelled at, while Trump appeared to heighten the drama for the camera.
At one point, Zelenskyy claimed that Putin had violated “his own signature” 25 times on cease-fires and other agreements and could not be trusted.
Trump responded that Putin had not broken any agreements with him and mostly avoided questions about providing security guarantees to Ukraine, saying he believed the minerals deal — which is now on hold — would effectively end the conflict.
Things got heated when Vance challenged Zelenskyy, saying, “Mr. President, with respect, I think it is disrespectful for you to come to the Oval Office and try to litigate this in front of the American media.” When Zelensky tried to object, Trump raised his voice and said, “You are gambling with the lives of millions of people.”
A short time later, Trump announced on his social media platform that he had “determined” that Zelenskyy “is not ready for peace.”
“He dishonored the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. “He can return when he is prepared for peace,” Trump wrote.
Trump also claimed that the heated exchange was beneficial: “Much was learned that could never have been understood without conversation under such fire and pressure.” “It is amazing what comes out of emotions.”
Democrats immediately blamed the administration for the breakdown. Chuck Schumer, the Democratic Senate leader, stated that Trump and Vance “are doing Putin’s dirty work.”
The tense exchange was especially surprising given that it came a day after Trump took a more conciliatory tone toward Ukraine, calling America’s support for the country against Russia’s invasion “a very worthy thing to do” and denying calling the Ukrainian leader a “dictator.”
During the first half hour of the meeting, Trump and Zelenskyy spoke politely, even admiringly, of one another. However, when the Ukrainian leader expressed concern about trusting Putin’s promises to end the fighting, Vance issued a strong rebuke for airing disagreements with Trump in public.
That immediately changed the tone of the conversation, as Zelenskyy became defensive, while Trump and his vice president slammed him as ungrateful and issued stark warnings about future American support.
“It is going to be a very hard thing to do business like this,” Trump told Zelenskyy as the two leaders discussed Ukraine’s previous international support.
Vance then interjected, “Again, just say thank you,” criticizing Zelenskyy for arguing “disagreements” in front of the media.
Trump appeared pleased that the scene was being captured on camera. “I think it is good for the American people to see what is going on,” he told reporters.
Trump also suggested that Zelenskyy should not demand concessions.
“You are not in a good position. Trump pointed at Zelenskyy and said, “You do not have the cards right now.” “With us you start having cards.”
Shortly before the meeting concluded, Trump stated, “This is going to be great television.”
Prior to the crisis, Zelenskyy was expected to sign a landmark economic agreement with the United States to fund the reconstruction of war-torn Ukraine, a deal that would have tied the two countries together for years.
As Ukrainian forces hold out against Russia’s larger and better-equipped army, Kyiv leaders are working to ensure that a potential US-brokered peace plan includes guarantees for the country’s future security.
Many Ukrainians are concerned that a hastily negotiated peace, particularly one that makes too many concessions to Russian demands, will allow Moscow to rearm and consolidate its forces for a future invasion once current hostilities end.
Trump, a Republican, had framed the emerging agreement as an opportunity for Kyiv to compensate the United States for wartime aid sent by his predecessor, Democratic President Joe Biden. However, Zelenskyy has maintained that any agreement granting the United States access to Ukraine’s resources must include specific assurances about Ukraine’s security.
It was Zelenskyy’s fifth visit to the White House, but the previous four occurred during the Biden administration. During his visit to Washington, the Ukrainian president also met with senators from the United States.
Fears that Trump will broker a peace deal with Russia that is unfavorable to Ukraine have been heightened by recent precedent-breaking actions by his administration.
Trump held a lengthy phone call with Putin, and US officials met with their Russian counterparts in Saudi Arabia without inviting European or Ukrainian leaders, both of which were dramatic departures from previous US policy of isolating Putin over his invasion.
Trump also appeared to wrongly accuse Ukraine for launching the war and referred to Zelenskyy as a “dictator” for failing to hold elections after his regular term expired last year, despite the fact that Ukrainian law prevents elections while martial law is in effect.
