US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance clashed with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a heated White House meeting on Friday. The discussions, meant to address Ukraine’s war with Russia and finalize a mineral deal, turned tense after Vance suggested the US was exploring diplomacy to end the war. Zelensky challenged this idea, questioning what kind of diplomacy could work when Russia had already violated past agreements. He also demanded security guarantees in exchange for the mineral deal. Vance accused Zelensky of being disrespectful and using propaganda to secure US support.
Tensions escalated when Trump criticized Zelensky for not showing enough gratitude for US aid, warning that if Ukraine didn’t agree to a deal, the US might withdraw support. Trump insisted Ukraine was acting tough only because of US backing, adding, “You’re either going to make a deal, or we’re out.”
Zelensky pushed back, arguing that peace talks must include Ukraine and that the US should not negotiate with Russia on its behalf. Trump dismissed his position, saying Ukraine had no leverage in negotiations.
The meeting ended without an agreement on the mineral deal, and Zelensky left earlier than expected. Trump later posted that Zelensky could return “when he is ready for peace,” while Zelensky reaffirmed Ukraine’s commitment to a just and lasting peace.
Mr Trump later posted on his Truth Social app that the Ukrainian president “can come back when he is ready for Peace.”
“Thank you America, thank you for your support, thank you for this visit. Thank you @POTUS, Congress, and the American people. Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for that,” Mr Zelensky also posted on X.
