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The Oval Office meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President Trump devolved into a heated shouting match about U.S. support for the war-ravaged country, with Mr. Trump warning his counterpart, “You don’t have the cards.”
In an unprecedented public argument that played out in front of TV cameras, Mr. Trump told the Ukrainian president either to make a ceasefire deal with Russia, “or we’re out.”
“If we’re out, you’re going to fight it out, and it’s not going to be pretty. You’re not in a good position,” Mr. Trump said, pointing his finger at Mr. Zelenskyy, who sat with arms folded. “You’re gambling with World War III.”
When it was over, a press conference with the two leaders was canceled and Mr. Trump said of Mr. Zelenskyy, “He can come back when he’s ready for peace.”
The meeting was arranged to discuss a deal for the U.S. to obtain rights to Ukrainian deposits of rare earth minerals and other resources as repayment for America’s support for Ukraine in the war. But after about 40 minutes of discussion, the session took a tense turn.
During the meeting, Vice President J.D. Vance told Mr. Zelenskyy that engaging in diplomacy with Russia may be “the path to peace and the path to prosperity.”
Mr. Vance decried President Biden, who refused to negotiate with Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the three-year war. He described Mr. Biden’s efforts to end the war as “pretending” that the U.S.’s “words matter more than” its actions.
Mr. Zelenskyy fired back, “What kind of diplomacy, J.D., are you speaking about? What do you mean?”
He recounted how Russia annexed Crimea in 2014 and other feuds between the two nations. He then pressed Mr. Vance on whether or not he’d ever been to Ukraine.
The Ukrainian president then warned that the U.S. could “feel the effects” of a peace plan that concedes too much to Russia.
“Mr. President, with respect. I think it’s disrespectful for you to come into the Oval Office and try to litigate this in front of the American media right now,” Mr. Vance shot back.
The exchange prompted Mr. Trump to chime in, raising his voice with the Ukrainian president.
“You’re in no position to dictate what we’re gonna feel. …You’re right now, not in a very good position.
Amid cross-talk between the leaders, Mr. Vance again pressed Mr. Zelenskyy about U.S. aid, which totals roughly $185 billion.
“Have you ever said ’thank you’ once,” Mr. Vance asked.
Mr. Trump then interrupted, “You’re not acting at all thankful. I gave you javelins [missiles] to take down all those tanks. You gotta be more thankful. It’s going to be a tough deal to make, because the attitudes have to change.”
“What you’re doing is very disrespectful to the country, this country,” Mr. Trump shouted at Mr. Zelenskyy.
Mr. Trump then pushed back on concerns that he’s aligned himself too closely with Mr. Putin, saying Mr. Zelenskyy’s “hatred” for the Russian leader makes it difficult to reach a peace deal.
“That’s very tough for me to make a deal with that kind of hate,” Mr. Trump said. “I’m aligned with the world. I’m aligned with Europe. I want to see if we get this done.”
The remarkable exchange took place in full view of the press corps in a rare showing of sensitive discussions that, in other administrations, often take place behind closed doors. Mr. Vance accused Mr. Zelenskyy of trying to “litigate” his cause in front of the American media for show purposes.
But Mr. Trump said the open media access to the heated session was beneficial.
“I think it’s good for the American people to see what’s going on. That’s why I kept this going on for so long [on camera],” Mr. Trump said. “I think we’ve seen enough. And this is going to be great television, I will say that.”
In a social media post later, Mr. Trump said, “We had a very meaningful meeting in the White House today. Much was learned that could never be understood without conversation under such fire and pressure.”
“It’s amazing what comes out through emotion, and I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for Peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations,” Mr. Trump said. “I don’t want advantage, I want PEACE. He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for Peace.”
Mr. Trump is not the first U. S. president to lose his temper with Mr. Zelenskyy.
In June 2022, Mr. Biden cursed at the Ukrainian leader in a tense phone call, according to press reports at the time.
Mr. Biden had barely finished telling Mr. Zelenskyy that he’d just greenlit another $1 billion in U.S. military assistance for Ukraine. Mr. Zelenskyy immediately started listing all the help he needed but wasn’t getting.
Mr. Biden lost his temper and told Mr. Zelenskyy that America was being quite generous and he could show a little more gratitude, according to reports of the private call.
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