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Washington, D.C. – A high-stakes meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and U.S. President Donald Trump ended in a heated exchange on Friday, highlighting the growing rift between Kyiv and Washington over the ongoing war with Russia.
Intended as a diplomatic effort to secure continued U.S. backing, Zelenskiy’s visit to the White House quickly unraveled as he and Trump publicly sparred over the path to peace, military aid, and Ukraine’s future. Vice President JD Vance also joined the debate, emphasizing diplomacy as the only viable solution to the war, while Zelenskiy argued that Russian President Vladimir Putin could not be trusted in any negotiations.
Following the confrontation, Trump took to his Truth Social platform to criticize Zelenskiy’s stance. “I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for Peace if America is involved,” Trump wrote, using an alternative spelling of the Ukrainian leader’s name. “He can come back when he is ready for Peace.”
The meeting, originally planned to finalize a joint U.S.-Ukraine natural resources development deal, ended abruptly when Zelenskiy left the White House without signing the agreement. The tense encounter underscored how the shift in U.S. leadership has complicated Ukraine’s efforts to secure long-term Western support.
At one point, Trump directly confronted Zelenskiy about the state of Ukraine’s war effort. “People are dying, you’re running low on soldiers,” he stated bluntly. He then issued a stark ultimatum: “You’re either going to make a deal, or we’re out, and if we’re out, you’ll fight it out. I don’t think it’s going to be pretty.”
Trump further criticized Zelenskiy for what he perceived as a lack of gratitude. “You’re not acting at all thankful, and that’s not a nice thing,” he remarked. Vice President Vance echoed this sentiment, accusing Zelenskiy of being “disrespectful” by arguing his position in the Oval Office. In response, a visibly frustrated Zelenskiy defended his appreciation for American support, stating, “I said a lot of times thank you to American people.”
Trump has signaled a desire to reduce U.S. involvement in the conflict, prioritizing diplomatic engagement with Putin while shifting American resources elsewhere. His stance has alarmed European allies and raised concerns in Kyiv that Ukraine could be pressured into an unfavorable peace deal.
“I hope I’m going to be remembered as a peacemaker,” Trump stated during the meeting, reinforcing his administration’s reluctance to continue extensive military aid.
While Trump has pushed for an agreement that would see Ukraine contribute 50% of revenues from natural resources—such as minerals, oil, and gas—to a joint U.S.-Ukraine reconstruction fund, Zelenskiy has expressed concern over the long-term financial burden such a deal could impose.
Ukraine remains reliant on foreign military aid, particularly as it struggles to replenish manpower and sustain its defenses against Russia’s advances. Despite initial successes in repelling Russia’s invasion, Ukraine now faces increasing pressure on the battlefield as Russian forces continue to make gains.
Zelenskiy’s hopes of securing firm U.S. security guarantees appear to have been dashed, with Trump’s administration taking a markedly different approach from his predecessor. The failed negotiations at the White House leave Ukraine facing greater uncertainty about its future U.S. support, while European allies scramble to assess the implications of Washington’s shifting stance.
As Trump prepares for potential talks with Putin, the question remains: will Ukraine be forced into a deal on terms dictated by Moscow?
Credit: AP, Reuters, Yahoo News
