A highly anticipated meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy erupted into a contentious shouting match in the Oval Office on Friday, as the two leaders grappled with starkly different visions for ending the Russia-Ukraine war.
The exchange, witnessed by reporters, laid bare the tensions between Washington and Kyiv as Trump pressed for a swift ceasefire while Zelenskyy insisted on robust American security guarantees.
The confrontation escalated when Trump issued a stark ultimatum: “You’re either going to make a deal or we’re out.”
The U.S. president urged Zelenskyy to accept a ceasefire, arguing it would halt the bloodshed immediately.
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“If you can get a ceasefire right now, I tell you, you take it—so the bullets stop flying and your men stop getting killed,” Trump said, emphasizing his desire to “save lives” and curb U.S. spending on the conflict. Zelenskyy acknowledged the need to stop the war but countered that any deal must include firm assurances to prevent future Russian aggression. “Of course, we want to stop the war, but I want security guarantees,” he replied.
The meeting, which included Vice President JD Vance, deteriorated further when Vance criticized Zelenskyy’s resistance to diplomacy with Russia.
“You should be thanking the president for trying to bring an end to this conflict,” Vance said, pointing to Ukraine’s battlefield struggles. Zelenskyy’s retort—that the U.S. faces its own challenges—prompted an outburst from Trump.
“You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people. You’re gambling with World War III,” Trump shouted. “And what you’re doing is very disrespectful to the country, this country.”
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The exchange grew more heated as Zelenskyy pushed back against suggestions of compromise with Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom he called a “killer.” “Please, you think that if you will speak very loudly about the war,” Zelenskyy began, only to be cut off by Trump.
“He’s not speaking loudly. Your country is in big trouble,” Trump interjected. “You’re not winning this … You have a damn good chance of coming out OK because of us.” The U.S. president insisted Ukraine’s weakened position left it no choice but to negotiate, warning, “You don’t have the cards.”
Amid the rancor, Trump touted a rare earth minerals deal set to be signed later Friday, calling it “very fair” and a “big commitment” from the U.S. He suggested it could pave the way for peace, noting recent talks with Putin and claiming a truce was “fairly close.” Zelenskyy, however, stressed that the minerals agreement alone was insufficient without a U.S. backstop. “I’m hopeful this document will be a step forward for Ukraine,” he said, “but I want to discuss what the U.S. is ready to do.”
The meeting underscored broader shifts in U.S. policy. Trump indicated Ukraine would need to make “compromises”—potentially including abandoning NATO aspirations or ceding territory—concessions Zelenskyy has historically deemed unacceptable.
As the leaders prepare to finalize the minerals deal this afternoon, the shouting match has cast a shadow over U.S.-Ukraine relations. Trump framed his push as a peacemaking mission—“I’m doing this to save lives, more than anything else”—while Zelenskyy’s plea for “no compromises with a killer” highlighted Kyiv’s fears of being pressured into a deal that sacrifices its sovereignty. With bipartisan senators expressing solidarity with Ukraine earlier in the day, the path forward remains fraught as both sides weigh the costs of war and the price of peace.
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