During a tense meeting at the White House, former President Trump criticized Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, asserting that he was not ready for peace if the U.S. remained involved because he saw American support as a bargaining advantage.
Trump insisted he wanted peace, not leverage, and accused Zelenskyy of disrespecting the U.S. in the Oval Office. Throughout the meeting, Trump and Senator J.D. Vance berated Zelenskyy, with Vance demanding gratitude for American aid and Trump warning that Ukraine must either negotiate or lose U.S. support. Trump also referenced his past dealings with Russian President Putin, suggesting Putin was willing to make a deal but questioning whether Zelenskyy could do the same. The confrontation escalated as Trump told Zelenskyy he lacked leverage and needed to either secure a deal or risk Ukraine fighting alone. The exchange left the Ukrainian ambassador visibly distressed, and the meeting concluded with Trump criticizing Zelenskyy’s lack of gratitude, calling the moment “great television.” In the aftermath, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested Zelenskyy’s aggressive stance cast doubt on his desire for peace, while Russian officials celebrated Trump’s remarks as a public humiliation of the Ukrainian leader. European leaders, however, rallied behind Ukraine, with figures like Ursula von der Leyen and Emmanuel Macron reaffirming support. Zelenskyy, in a later interview, countered Trump’s claims, stating that Ukraine seeks a just and lasting peace but requires security guarantees before negotiations. Despite the heated exchange, he remained hopeful for future cooperation, particularly regarding a minerals deal between the two countries. However, Trump continued to frame Zelenskyy as eager to “fight, fight, fight” rather than seeking resolution, reinforcing the strained relationship between the two leaders, which dates back to Trump’s first impeachment over pressuring Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden’s son. As Ukraine continues to struggle for military aid and diplomatic backing, the dramatic Oval Office clash marked a new low in U.S.-Ukraine relations, with observers calling it a public ambush that exposed deep divisions over how to handle the ongoing war.