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A critical meeting between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky descended into a tense showdown with the US president accusing Kyiv of “gambling with World War Three”.
After a positive start, the meeting appeared to capitulate when vice president JD Vance branded Mr Zelensky “disrespectful”, after the Ukrainian president said US security guarantees are necessary for a ceasefire.
Speaking to Mr Zelensky, Mr Vance said it is “disrespectful for you to come to the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the American media”.
A visibly irritated Mr Zelensky responded and defended his position, before Mr Trump raising his voice, told Mr Zelensky, “you’re not in a good position” and accused him of “gambling with World War Three” and being “disrespectful to the country that backed you”.
“You have to be thankful,” the president told Mr Zelensky.
It came after Mr Trump had offered glowing praise, saying he gives “tremendous credit” to Mr Zelensky and commending his “unbelievably brave” soldiers.
The pair are due to sign a critical minerals deal this afternoon, as Kyiv works to regain US backing against Russia’s invasion.
JD Vance branded Mr Zelensky as “disrespectful” (AFP via Getty Images)
Voices were raised during the tense exchange (REUTERS)
US president Donald Trump and vice president JD Vance meet with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky (Getty Images)
Alex Croft28 February 2025 18:13
Asked by a Ukrainian journalist how his mood was following a dramatic exchange with Donald Trump and JD Vance, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky responded with a thumbs up.
Alex Croft28 February 2025 18:03
A White House correspondent at CNN has described events in the Oval Office as “nothing short of remarkable”.
She snapped a picture of the Ukrainian ambassador with her head in her hands as president Volodymyr Zelensky’s most critical visit to the White House descended into a tense shouting match.
Alex Croft28 February 2025 17:56
Alex Croft28 February 2025 17:53
What was supposed to be a triumphant White House visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to mark the signing of a mineral rights deal between the United States and Ukraine devolved into an Oval Office shouting match between Zelensky, President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance on Friday after the American vice president began lecturing Zelensky for what he called a lack of open gratitude towards the United States for the aid his country has received to combat Russia’s invading forces.
White House correspondent Andrew Feinberg reports:
Alex Croft28 February 2025 17:52
A highly tense exchange has just taken place, with vice president JD Vance branding Volodymyr Zelensky as “disrespectful”.
Mr Vance told Mr Zelensky it is “disrespectful for you to come to the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the American media”.
He then proceeded to say Mr Zelensky is on a “propaganda tour”, adding: “Do you disagree that you’ve had problems bringing people in your military, and do you think that it’s respectful to come to the Oval Office of the United States of America and attack the administration is trying to prevent the destruction of your country?”
Trump, raising his voice, told Mr Zelensky, “you’re not really in good position right now” and accused him of “gambling with WWIII”.
US president Donald Trump meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (REUTERS)
Andrew Feinberg, White House Correspondent28 February 2025 17:31
US president Donald Trump has said he does not ally himself more with Ukraine than Russia.
Asked if he positions himself in the middle between them or on the Ukraine said, Mr Trump said: “I’m in the middle. I want to solve this thing. I’m for both. I want to get it solved.”
“If we can solve it, great. If we can’t solve it, they’re going to have to fight it out, and who knows what’s going to happen,” he added.
(AP)
Alex Croft28 February 2025 17:20
Volodymyr Zelensky has told Donald Trump that the minerals deal is not enough to guarantee Ukraine’s security.
Russian president Vladimir Putin began the war and therefore must pay, Mr Zelensky added.
He urged Mr Trump to make “no compromises with a killer”.
But the US president revealed that he has spoken to Putin just days ago, and has reiterated that Kyiv will need to make compromises in order to reach a peace deal.
Alex Croft28 February 2025 17:15
Donald Trump has said the US will continue sending arms to Ukraine, during a meeting with president Volodymyr Zelensky.
But Mr Trump said his Ukrainian counterpart will “certainly” need to make compromises amid efforts to end the war.
Alex Croft28 February 2025 17:10
Donald Trump has said he feels “tremendous gratitude” towards Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, while commending the bravery of Kyiv’s troops.
“Your soldiers have been unbelievably brave,” Mr Trump told his Ukrainian counterpart in the Oval Office.
“We give them great equipment, but they somebody has to use the equipment. They’ve been unbelievably brave, and we give them great credit.
“This was supposed to be over very quickly, and here we are, three years later. So I give tremendous gratitude, generals and your soldiers and yourself,” he said.
The US is “very proud of them” but “now we want to get it over”, Mr Trump added.
(REUTERS)
Alex Croft28 February 2025 17:05