Donald Trump and JD Vance held a heated meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy – which saw the US president tell his Ukrainian counterpart he is “gambling with World War Three”.
Mr Zelenskyy has travelled to the US as he attempts to secure a ceasefire with Russia and a possible mineral deal.
But his visit to the White House has ended prematurely – with the signing of an agreement and a joint press conference with Mr Trump called off following their Oval Office clash.
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As the pair met with US vice president JD Vance joining them, tensions soon rose and a shouting match unfolded – all while cameras rolled and representatives from the media looked on.
The last 10 minutes of the almost 45-minute meeting descended into a tense back and forth, which began with Mr Vance telling Mr Zelenksyy: “I think it’s disrespectful for you to come to the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the American media.”
“You should be thanking the President [Trump] for trying to bring an end to this conflict,” he said.
As the Ukrainian president tried to object, Mr Trump raised his voice and told him: “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 the country, this country that’s backed you far more than a lot of people say they should have.”
“You’re right now not in a very good position,” he continued. “You don’t have the cards right now with us, you start having problems right now.”
At one point, Mr Vance blasted Mr Zelenskyy for airing “disagreements” in front of the press, but the US president remarked: “I think it’s good for the American people to see what’s going on.”
“You’re not acting at all thankful,” he said. “This is going to be great television.”
Defending himself and his country, the Ukrainian president openly challenged Mr Trump on his softer approach to Vladimir Putin and urged him to make “no compromises with a killer”.
Posting on his Truth Social platform shortly after the clash, Mr Trump described the meeting as “very meaningful” and said: “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.
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He continued: “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 and Mr Zelenskyy had been due to have lunch with their delegations in the White House’s Cabinet room – but untouched salad plates and other items were seen being packed up as the meal was hastily called off.
After leaving the White House early, Mr Zelenskyy said in a post on X: “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.”
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