Donald Trump accused Volodymyr Zelensky of “gambling with World War Three” as the two presidents met in the Oval Office.
In a series of testy exchanges, Mr Zelensky warned the US would “feel it in the future” if it did not continue to support Ukraine.
“Don’t tell us what we’re going to feel. We’re trying to solve a problem,” Mr Trump hit back.
Speaking loudly, Mr Trump later told his Ukrainian counterpart: “You’re gambling with millions of people seeing you gambling with World War Three. You’re gambling with World War Three.”
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President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance have berated Volodymyr Zelensky after Ukraine’s leader sought security guarantees as the US tries to bring an end to the Russia-Ukraine war. Mr Trump told Mr Zelensky that doing so was disrespectful, as the Ukrainian leader pushed for US commitments to keep his country safe from further Russian aggression. “You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people,” Mr Trump said. “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.” Mr Zelensky told Mr Trump that promises of peace from Vladimir Putin cannot be trusted, noting the Russian leader’s history of broken promises. Mr Trump said Mr Putin has not broken agreements with him. “You’ve got to be more thankful,” Mr Trump said. Mr Vance, one of the administration’s most sceptical voices on Ukraine, said Mr Zelensky was being disrespectful for debating with Mr Trump in the Oval Office in front of the American media. “Have you said ‘thank you’ once?” Mr Vance asked Mr Zelensky. Mr Zelensky’s delegation is expected to sign a landmark economic agreement with the US aimed at financing the reconstruction of war-damaged Ukraine, a deal that would closely tie the two countries together for years to come. The agreement, which is seen as a step toward ending the three-year war, references the importance of Ukraine’s security but it leaves that to a separate deal to be discussed between the two leaders – talks that are likely to commence on Friday.
14 minutes ago
Amy Blaney
Ukraine’s leader left the White House shortly after Trump shouted at him, showing open disdain. Untouched salad plates and other lunch items were being packed up outside the Cabinet room, where the lunch between Trump and Zelenskyy and their delegations was supposed to have taken place.
The White House said the Ukraine delegation was told to leave.
The astonishing turn of events could scramble international affairs in Europe and around the globe. During his visit with Trump, Zelensky had planned to sign the deal allowing the US greater access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals, then hold a joint news conference, which was abruptly cancelled.
16 minutes ago
Amy Blaney
59 minutes ago
Amy Blaney
President Volodymyr Zelensky left the White House without signing the US-Ukraine critical minerals deal after a tense meeting with Donald Trump in the Oval Office.
Today06:57 PM
Amy Blaney
Today06:47 PM
Amy Blaney
Zelensky has left the White House after a bitter exchange between the two presidents in the Oval Office. The two leaders were expected to hold a news conference this evening, which has now been cancelled.
The Ukrainian president got into his vehicle outside the West Wing.
Today06:40 PM
Amy Blaney
In a post on Truth Social, Trump repeated that Zelensky was “disrespectful.”
“I have determined that President Zelensky is not ready for Peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations,” Trump wrote. “I don’t want advantage, I want PEACE.”
“He can come back when he is ready for Peace,” he added.
Zelensky had been scheduled to have lunch with Trump and both leaders were going to sign a minerals deal during a joint news conference. Instead, Zelensky’s armoured SUV abruptly pulled up to the door of the West Wing moments after Trump’s post.
“This is going to be great television, I will say,” Trump said as the meeting broke up.
The White House communications team quickly clipped videos of the exchange and shared them on social media. Several Trump aides did so as well.
“President Trump and Vice President Vance will always stand for America and those who respect our position in the world. America will never be taken advantage of,” said Margo Martin, a special assistant to the president who shared one of the videos.
“Thank you @POTUS for standing up not only for America, but for the American warfighter,” the Defence Department’s rapid response account posted on X.
The last 10 minutes of the nearly 45-minute engagement turned into a tense back and forth between Trump, Vance and Zelensky — who had urged skepticism about Russia’s commitment to diplomacy, citing Moscow’s years of broken commitments on the global stage.
Today06:29 PM
Amy Blaney
Speaking about the rare earths agreement, Trump said the US is lacking in many such minerals while Ukraine has among the best on the planet. He said US interests plan to take those reserves and use them on everything from artificial intelligence operations to military weapons.
Asked about long-term security guarantee to guard against future Russian aggression, Trump says once the agreement is signed that a return to fighting was unlikely.
Trump, a Republican, has framed the emerging agreement as a chance for Kyiv to compensate the US for wartime aid sent under his predecessor, Democratic President Joe Biden.
But Zelensky has remained firm that specific assurances for Ukraine’s security must accompany any agreement giving U.S. access to Ukraine’s resources.
This is Zelensky’s fifth White House visit, but his previous four came during the Biden administration. The Ukrainian president also was meeting with U.S. senators during his time in Washington.
Fears that Trump could broker a peace deal with Russia that is unfavorable to Ukraine have been amplified by recent precedent-busting actions by his administration. Trump held a lengthy phone call with Putin, and US officials met with their Russian counterparts in Saudi Arabia without inviting European or Ukrainian leaders — both dramatic breaks with previous US policy to isolate Putin over his invasion.
Trump later seemed to falsely blame Ukraine for starting the war, and called Zelensky a “dictator” for not holding elections after the end of his regular term last year, though Ukrainian law prohibits elections while martial law is in place.
Today06:27 PM
Amy Blaney
Earlier, Zelensky called Russian President Vladimir Putin a terrorist and told Trump that Ukraine and the world need “no compromises with a killer.”
“Even during the war there are rules,” he said.
As Ukrainian forces hold out against slow but steady advances by Russia’s larger and better-equipped army, leaders in Kyiv have pushed to ensure a potential US-brokered peace plan would include guarantees for the country’s future security.
Many Ukrainians fear that a hastily negotiated peace — especially one that makes too many concessions to Russian demands — would allow Moscow to rearm and consolidate its forces for a future invasion after current hostilities cease.
According to the preliminary economic agreement, seen by The Associated Press, the US and Ukraine will establish a co-owned, jointly managed investment fund to which Ukraine will contribute 50pc of future revenues from natural resources, including minerals, hydrocarbons and other extractable materials.
Today06:27 PM
Amy Blaney
The harsh words came at a pivotal and precarious moment for Ukraine. Zelensky had planned to try to convince the White House to provide some form of U.S. backing for Ukraine’s security against any future Russian aggression.
Zelensky is still expected to sign a landmark economic agreement with the US aimed at financing the reconstruction of war-damaged Ukraine, a deal that would closely tie the two countries together for years to come.
The deal, which is seen as a step toward ending the three-year war, references the importance of Ukraine’s security. Earlier in the meeting, before tempers flared, Trump said the agreement would be signed soon in the East Room of the White House.
“We have something that is a very fair deal,” Trump said, adding, “It is a big commitment from the United States.”
He said the US wants to see the killing in the war stopped, adding that US money for Ukraine should be “put to different kinds of use like rebuilding.”
Today06:26 PM
Amy Blaney
Earlier in the meeting Trump said the U.S. would continue to provide military assistance to Ukraine, but said he hoped that not too much aid would be forthcoming. “We’re not looking forward to sending a lot of arms,” Trump said. “We’re looking forward to getting the war finished so we can do other things.”
Trump suggested that Zelenskyy wasn’t in a position to be demanding concessions.
“You’re not in a good position. You don’t have the cards right now,” Trump said pointing his finger toward Zelenskyy. “With us you start having cards.”
He also accused Zelenskyy of being “disrespectful” to the U.S.
“It’s going to be a very hard thing to do business like this,” Trump told Zelenskyy at one point, as the two leaders talked over each other about past international support for Ukraine.
“Again, just say thank you,” Vance interjected to Zelenskyy, blasting him for litigating “disagreements” in front of the press. Trump, though, suggested he was fine with the drama. “I think it’s good for the American people to see what’s going on,” he added.
“You’re not acting at all thankful,” Trump said, before adding, “This is going to be great television.”
Today06:15 PM
Amy Blaney
The last 10 minutes of the nearly 45-minute engagement turned into a tense back and forth between Trump, Vance and Zelenskyy — who had urged skepticism about Russia’s commitment to diplomacy, citing Moscow’s years of broken commitments on the global stage.
It began with Vance telling Zelenskyy, “Mr. President, with respect. I think it’s disrespectful for you to come to the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the American media.”
Zelensky tried to object, prompting Trump to eventually raise his voice and say, “You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people.”
“You’re gambling with World War III, 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,” Trump said.
It was an astonishing display of open antagonism in the Oval Office, a setting better known for somber diplomacy. Trump laid bare his efforts to coerce Zelenskyy to reach an agreement giving the U.S. an interest in his country’s valuable minerals and to push him toward a diplomatic resolution to the war on the American leader’s terms.
Today06:09 PM
Amy Blaney
President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance have berated Volodymyr Zelensky after Ukraine’s leader sought security guarantees as the US tries to bring an end to the Russia-Ukraine war.
Mr Trump told Mr Zelensky that doing so was disrespectful, as the Ukrainian leader pushed for US commitments to keep his country safe from further Russian aggression.
“You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people,” Mr Trump said. “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.”
Mr Zelensky told Mr Trump that promises of peace from Vladimir Putin cannot be trusted, noting the Russian leader’s history of broken promises. Mr Trump said Mr Putin has not broken agreements with him.
“You’ve got to be more thankful,” Mr Trump said.
Mr Vance, one of the administration’s most sceptical voices on Ukraine, said Mr Zelensky was being disrespectful for debating with Mr Trump in the Oval Office in front of the American media.
“Have you said ‘thank you’ once?” Mr Vance asked Mr Zelensky.
Mr Zelensky’s delegation is expected to sign a landmark economic agreement with the US aimed at financing the reconstruction of war-damaged Ukraine, a deal that would closely tie the two countries together for years to come.
The agreement, which is seen as a step toward ending the three-year war, references the importance of Ukraine’s security but it leaves that to a separate deal to be discussed between the two leaders – talks that are likely to commence on Friday.
Today06:08 PM
Amy Blaney
Donald Trump accused Volodymyr Zelensky of “gambling with World War Three” as the two presidents met in the Oval Office.
In a series of testy exchanges, Mr Zelensky warned the US would “feel it in the future” if it did not continue to support Ukraine.
“Don’t tell us what we’re going to feel. We’re trying to solve a problem,” Mr Trump hit back.
Speaking loudly, Mr Trump later told his Ukrainian counterpart: “You’re gambling with millions of people seeing you gambling with World War Three. You’re gambling with World War Three.”
US Vice President JD Vance questioned why Mr Zelensky had not said thank you for US aid during the meeting.
Today06:08 PM
Amy Blaney
Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky have had a fractious meeting in the White House.
Mr Trump suggested he was aligned with neither Ukraine nor Russia, telling reporters: “Well, if I didn’t align myself with both of them, you’d never have a deal.
“You want me to say really terrible things about Putin and then say ‘Hi, Vladimir. How are we doing on the deal that doesn’t work?’ I’m not aligned with Putin. I’m not aligned with anybody.
“I’m aligned with the United States of America, and for the good of the world, I’m aligned with the world.”
US Vice President JD Vance told Mr Zelensky: “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, you guys are going around and forcing conscripts to the front lines because you have manpower problems. You should be thanking the president for bringing an end to this conflict.”
Today06:06 PM
Amy Blaney
‘He’s all dressed up’, Trump tells Zelensky Mr Zelensky is meeting Mr Trump at a pivotal moment for his country, as he tries to persuade the White House to provide some form of US backing for Ukraine’s security against any future Russian aggression.
Mr Zelensky made a thumb’s up sign but did not speak to reporters as he arrived at the White House. He wore a more formal black top rather than his usual military green T-shirt, prompting Mr Trump to say “he’s all dressed up”.
As they sat together inthe Oval Office, Mr Zelensky showed Mr Trump what appeared to be photos of emaciated Ukrainian prisoners held by Russia.
Mr Zelensky’s delegation is expected to sign a landmark economic agreement with the US aimed at financing the reconstruction of war-damaged Ukraine, a deal that would closely tie the two countries together for years to come.
The agreement, which is seen as a step toward ending the three-year war, references the importance of Ukraine’s security but it leaves that to a separate deal to be discussed between the two leaders — talks that are likely to commence on Friday.
As Ukrainian forces hold out against slow but steady advances by Russia’s larger and better-equipped army, leaders in Kyiv have pushed to ensure a potential US-brokered peace plan would include guarantees for the country’s future security.
Many Ukrainians fear that a hastily negotiated peace — especially one that makes too many concessions to Russian demands — would allow Moscow to rearm and consolidate its forces for a future invasion after current hostilities cease.
US Vice President JD Vance questioned why Mr Zelensky had not said thank you for US aid during the meeting.
Donald Trump appeared to tease Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as he arrived at the White House on Friday, telling him “oh look, you’re all dressed up.”
Mr Zelensky shook hands with the president, dressed in a black sweater – a departure from the military fatigues he is known to often wear.
Turning to members of the press who captured the exchange Mr Trump added “he’s all dressed up today” as the Ukrainian president smiled sheepishly.
A clip of the interaction circulating on social media was seized on by “First Buddy” Elon Musk, who quoted “all dressed up” with a crying laughing emoji.
During the highly anticipated meeting, the two men spoke about the minerals deal between the US and Ukraine, which is expected to be signed this afternoon. “We have something that is a very fair deal,” Trump told reporters.
He added that it is a “big commitment from the United States,” and the US will “take rare earths and use it for all we do including AI and military weapons.”
“This would be a very great agreement if we could get the war stopped,” the president said, adding that he hoped he would be remembered “as a peacemaker.” “I’m doing this to save lives — more than anything else… this could lead to a third world war. This was headed in the wrong direction,” he said.
“It’s a pathway to peace. It’s a pathway to getting something solved. I feel that as the head of this country that I have an obligation to do that… It’s too bad we got involved because there should’ve been no involvement because there should’ve been no war.”
Mr Zelensky is meeting Mr Trump at a pivotal moment for his country, as he tries to persuade the White House to provide some form of US backing for Ukraine’s security against any future Russian aggression.
Mr Zelensky made a thumb’s up sign but did not speak to reporters as he arrived at the White House. He wore a more formal black top rather than his usual military green T-shirt, prompting Mr Trump to say “he’s all dressed up”.
US president Donald Trump meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House. Photo: Reuters
As they sat together inthe Oval Office, Mr Zelensky showed Mr Trump what appeared to be photos of emaciated Ukrainian prisoners held by Russia.
Mr Zelensky’s delegation is expected to sign a landmark economic agreement with the US aimed at financing the reconstruction of war-damaged Ukraine, a deal that would closely tie the two countries together for years to come.
The agreement, which is seen as a step toward ending the three-year war, references the importance of Ukraine’s security but it leaves that to a separate deal to be discussed between the two leaders — talks that are likely to commence on Friday.
As Ukrainian forces hold out against slow but steady advances by Russia’s larger and better-equipped army, leaders in Kyiv have pushed to ensure a potential US-brokered peace plan would include guarantees for the country’s future security.
Many Ukrainians fear that a hastily negotiated peace — especially one that makes too many concessions to Russian demands — would allow Moscow to rearm and consolidate its forces for a future invasion after current hostilities cease.
US president Donald Trump meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House. Photo: Reuters
According to the preliminary economic agreement, seen by The Associated Press, the US and Ukraine will establish a co-owned, jointly managed investment fund to which Ukraine will contribute 50% of future revenues from natural resources, including minerals, hydrocarbons and other extractable materials.
A more detailed agreement on establishing the fund will be drawn up once the preliminary one is signed.
Mr Trump has framed the emerging deal as a chance for Kyiv to compensate the US for wartime aid sent under former president Joe Biden.
But Mr Zelensky has remained firm that specific assurances for Ukraine’s security must accompany any agreement giving the US access to Ukraine’s resources.
On Wednesday, he said the agreement “may be part of future security guarantees, but I want to understand the broader vision. What awaits Ukraine?”.
US President Donald Trump met Sir Keir Starmer in the Oval Office (PA)
Mr Trump remains noncommittal about any American security guarantees.
“I’m not going to make security guarantees… very much,” he told reporters this week. “We’re going to have Europe do that.”
If a truce can be reached, British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron have said they would send troops for a potential peacekeeping mission to Ukraine to ensure that fighting between Ukraine and Russia does not flare up again.
Both leaders travelled to Washington this week before the Zelensky visit to discuss with Mr Trump the potential peacekeeping mission and other concerns about the war.
White House officials are sceptical that Britain and France can assemble enough troops from across Europe, at least at this moment, to deploy a credible peacekeeping mission to Kyiv.
It will likely take a “consensual peace settlement” between Russia and Ukraine before many nations would be willing to provide such forces, according to a senior Trump administration official who briefed reporters on the condition of anonymity under ground rules set by the White House.
Mr Zelensky and European officials have no illusions about US troops taking part in such a mission.
The leaders are holding talks (Ben Curtis/AP)
But Sir Keir and others are trying to make the case that the plan can only work with a US backstop for European forces on the ground — through US aerial intelligence, surveillance and support, as well as rapid-response cover in case the truce is breached.
“You’ve created a moment of tremendous opportunity to reach a historic peace deal — a deal that I think would be celebrated in Ukraine and around the world,” Mr Starmer told Mr Trump.
“That is the prize. But we have to get it right.”
Mr Zelensky has been vague on exactly what kinds of security guarantees would be suitable for his country, and while he continues to advocate for Ukraine’s eventual membership in Nato, he has also suggested a similar security arrangement would suffice.
But Mr Trump on Wednesday said Ukraine “could forget about” joining the Western military alliance.
Still, Mr Zelensky’s meeting with Mr Trump, their first since the US leader’s inauguration in January, is seen in Kyiv as a diplomatic win for Ukraine.
On Wednesday, Mr Zelensky said being able to meet personally with Mr Trump before Russian President Vladimir Putin does “is a good signal.”
Mr Zelensky said he hopes to discuss whether the US plans to halt its military aid to Ukraine and, if so, whether Kyiv would be able to purchase weapons directly from the US.
He also wants to know whether Ukraine can use frozen Russian assets for the purchase of weapons and whether Washington plans to lift sanctions on Moscow.
