WASHINGTON − President Donald Trump dressed down Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office on Friday ‒ and later told him to leave the White House ‒ in a remarkable public spat that jeopardized continued U.S. support for Ukraine in its war with Russia.
A tense exchange turned into a verbal explosion after Vice President JD Vance told Zelenskyy he was being “disrespectful” to Trump and should be thanking the U.S. rather than lecturing it on the cause of the war.
Shortly after the meeting blew up, Trump said he’s “determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for Peace if America is involved.” Zelenskyy abruptly left the White House at Trump’s demand, according to a White House official, without signing a deal for the U.S. to receive revenue from Ukraine’s minerals in exchange for military assistance.
“He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for Peace,” Trump said in a statement.
More: Ukraine minerals deal success depends on President Trump, says President Zelenskyy
Trump: ‘You’re gambling with World War III’
The meeting came after Trump opened negotiations this month with Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine in a dramatic break from longstanding U.S. policy and the Biden administration’s complete support for Ukraine. A joint press conference that was scheduled for Trump and Zelenskyy to hold after the meeting was canceled.
As tempers flared in the Oval Office, Zelenskyy told Trump an ocean separates the U.S. from the conflict now, “but you will feel it in the future.”
More: A mineral deal to ‘recoup’ Ukraine war costs is imminent after Trump pressure campaign
U.S. President Donald Trump (R) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky meet in the Oval Office at the White House on Feb. 28, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump and Zelensky are meeting today to negotiate a preliminary agreement on sharing Ukraine’s mineral resources that Trump says will allow America to recoup aid provided to Kyiv while supporting Ukraine’s economy.
“Don’t tell us what we’re going to feel. We’re trying to solve a problem. Don’t tell us what we’re going to feel,” Trump retorted.
Zelenskyy interjected. “I’m not telling you,” he said. Vance hit back. “That’s exactly what you’re doing,” the vice president said.
“You’re in no position to dictate what we’re going to feel,” a heated Trump responded. “We are going to feel very good and very strong. You’re right now not in a very good position … You’re not in a good position. You don’t have the cards right now. With us, you start having cards.”
Trump continued: “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.”
Related: Putin, Ukraine, long-range missiles and why there’s talk about WWIII
Zelenskyy thanks US, Trump after disastrous visit
After leaving the White House, Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to the U.S. in a statement 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,” Zelenskyy said.
Russian leaders cheered Trump’s confrontation with Zelenskyy. “The insolent pig finally got a proper slap down in the Oval Office,” Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chair of the Security Council of the Russian Federation and former Russian president and prime minister, said on X. “And President Trump is right: The Kiev regime is ‘gambling with WWIII.'”
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., a Trump ally who was at the White House after the debacle, questioned whether the U.S. can “ever do business with Zelenskyy again.” Graham told reporters, “He either needs to resign and send somebody over that we can do business with, or he needs to change.”
Ahead of Zelenskyy’s arrival, Trump seemed to soften his tone with the Ukrainian leader, declining to acknowledge that he had called Zelenskyy a “dictator” just last week. “Did I say that? I can’t believe I said that,” Trump told reporters Thursday when asked whether he still believed Zelenskyy was a dictator.
“He’s all dressed up today,” Trump said with a smile after greeting Zelenskyy − who hasn’t worn a suit and tie since Russia invaded Ukraine three years ago − in the West Wing.
More: ‘Did I say that?’ President Trump backs off after calling Zelenskyy a dictator.
Zelenskyy began the meeting by reasserting his desire for security guarantees from the U.S. to ensure Russia doesn’t restart the conflict after a peace deal. He made clear he won’t compromise with Putin, who he called “a killer and terrorist.” Zelenskyy later pulled out an envelope to show Trump photos illustrating Russia’s poor treatment of Ukrainian prisoners.
“If President Trump will bring peace to our country, I think he will be on this wall in time,” Zelenskyy said, pointing to other photos hung in the Oval Office. Trump said, “I hope I’m going to be remembered as a peacemaker.”
But the meeting turned combative about 40 minutes into the 50-minute exchange.
Wildly off course
The turning point came when Trump was asked by a reporter to respond to perceptions that he’s aligned too closely to Putin. “I’m not aligned with anybody. I’m aligned with the United States of America,” Trump said. Referring to Zelenskyy, he said, “You see the hatred he’s got for Putin ‒ it’s very tough for me to make a deal with that kind of hate.”
Vance then weighed in, arguing that under former President Joe Biden “we had a president who stood up at press conferences and talked tough about Vladimir Putin,” but Putin invaded Ukraine anyway. “The path to peace and the path to prosperity is maybe engaging in diplomacy,” Vance said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky leaves the White House on February 28, 2025 in Washington, DC. Zelensky leaves the White House early following a heated meeting in the Oval Office with U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
Zelenskyy then referenced Russia’s 2014 invasion of Crimea and said Putin has violated previous ceasefires. “What kind of diplomacy are you talking about?” Zelenskyy asked the vice president.
“I’m talking about the kind of diplomacy that’s going to end the destruction of your country,” Vance fired back.
More: Trump, Zelenskyy joint press conference canceled after pair clash at White House
Vance asked Zelenskyy if he’d said thank you once for U.S. support, and hit Zelenskyy for a visit he made to the battleground state of Pennsylvania, just before the 2024 U.S. presidential election.
Zelenskyy tried to defend himself, telling Vance that “you think that if you will speak very loudly about the war…” But it was Trump who jumped back in to tell him, “Your country’s in big trouble.”
“You have a damn good chance of coming out okay because of us,” Trump said.
Spat was ‘great’ TV
At one point, Trump told Zelenskyy, “The problem is I’ve empowered you to be a tough guy. I don’t think you’d be a tough guy without the U.S. Your people are very brave. But, you’re either going to make a deal or we’re out.”
“This is going to be great television ‒ I will say that,” Trump said as reporters were escorted out of the room.
Reach Francesca Chambers on X @fran_chambers and Joey Garrison @joeygarrison.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump tells Zelenskyy to leave after heated Oval Office clash
