A high-stakes meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky erupted into a heated exchange in the Oval Office on Friday, as discussions over a potential peace deal with Russia turned tense.
The meeting, initially intended to ease tensions following Trump’s recent outreach to Russian President Vladimir Putin, quickly escalated when the U.S. leader pressured Zelensky to negotiate a settlement.
“You’re either going to make a deal or we’re out,” Trump reportedly told Zelensky, expressing frustration over Ukraine’s stance on the ongoing war. “You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people. You’re gambling with World War Three, and what you’re doing is very disrespectful to this country.”
Zelensky, who was in Washington to sign an agreement on sharing Ukraine’s mineral resources and discuss U.S. support, defended his position, questioning the approach of Trump and Vice President JD Vance. The exchange intensified when Vance called for diplomacy, prompting Zelensky to challenge what kind of diplomacy the U.S. was suggesting. Vance, in turn, accused him of being disrespectful in the president’s office.
The clash underscores the growing strain in U.S.-Ukraine relations as Trump reconsiders America’s role in the conflict. In recent weeks, the U.S. president has signaled a shift in policy, speaking to Putin about ending the war—without consulting Kyiv.
Trump has also demanded preferential access to Ukraine’s rare-earth minerals as a condition for continued U.S. support, stating that the U.S. must benefit from the billions in aid already provided. “We’ll be dig, dig, digging,” he remarked on Thursday, echoing his campaign rhetoric on energy independence.
Despite the Oval Office confrontation, Zelensky maintained a measured tone, accusing Trump and his team of speaking “loudly” rather than engaging constructively.
Trump’s recent remarks on Zelensky have fluctuated between harsh criticism and reluctant praise. Last week, he labeled the Ukrainian leader a “dictator without elections,” echoing Kremlin narratives about the war. However, during a press conference with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday, Trump struck a more conciliatory tone, saying, “I have a lot of respect for him. We’re going to get along really well.”
Meanwhile, international allies remain uneasy about Trump’s evolving stance. Britain and France have offered to send peacekeeping forces to Ukraine if a deal is reached, but they insist on U.S. military or intelligence backing. While Trump has refused to guarantee security support for Ukraine, he has acknowledged speaking with Putin “numerous times” since initiating talks.
Despite diplomatic maneuvering, the war in Ukraine continues. On Friday, Russian forces launched fresh attacks near the border, further escalating tensions as negotiations remain uncertain.
While Trump and Putin have reportedly agreed to meet in person, no date has been set. The Oval Office confrontation raises questions about the future of U.S. support for Ukraine and whether Kyiv will be forced into negotiations on Washington’s terms.
