WASHINGTON – In a heated Oval Office exchange on Friday, President Trump accused Ukrainian President Zelensky of “gambling with World War III” before abruptly cancelling a press conference and asserting that the Ukrainian leader was “not ready for peace.”
What began as a high-stakes meeting to sign a framework pact—which would give the United States a stake in Ukraine’s rare-earth elements—quickly derailed.
The situation escalated after Vice President JD Vance sharply criticised Zelensky for what he deemed a slight toward his American counterparts.
Vance’s remark that it was “disrespectful for you to come into the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the American media” ignited a shouting match following an initially cordial 45-minute briefing with reporters.
During the exchange, Vance lambasted Ukraine for forcing conscripts to the front lines amid manpower shortages, insisting that Zelensky should be grateful for the President’s efforts to end the conflict.
In response, Zelensky questioned Vance’s familiarity with Ukraine’s challenges, asking if he had ever visited the country to witness its issues firsthand and ominously stating that Vance “will feel” the repercussions of his stance.
The confrontation intensified as Vance accused Ukraine of taking Americans on a “propaganda tour,” prompting Trump to warn, “Don’t tell us what we’re going to feel.”
Trump emphasised that the United States was actively working to resolve the conflict and reminded Zelensky of the critical $350 billion aid and military equipment provided—support that, according to Trump, would have ended the war in two weeks without it.
In a forceful rebuke, Trump accused Zelensky of disrespecting a nation that had backed him far more than many had anticipated.
He recalled Zelensky’s political actions—such as campaigning for the opposition in Pennsylvania last October—and pressed him to show some appreciation for American assistance.
As the debate raged on, Trump reiterated that Ukraine was in “big trouble,” asserting that while U.S. support gave the country a strong chance of eventual success, its current approach—refusing a cease-fire despite dwindling soldier numbers—was unsustainable.
He warned that without a fundamental shift in attitude, any future deal would be complicated to secure, and the conflict could spiral further.
Nearly an hour after reporters were dismissed from the Oval Office, President Trump declared that Zelensky’s visit was over.
Later on, Truth Social expressed his frustration, stating, “It’s amazing what comes out through emotion,” and criticised Zelensky for leveraging American support to his advantage in negotiations.
Trump concluded that Zelensky could return when prepared to pursue peace rather than seek a tactical edge.
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