Trump Threatens To Pull Back as Zelenskyy Urges No Concessions to Putin
A high-stakes meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump ended in turmoil on Friday, as the two leaders clashed publicly at the White House over the ongoing war with Russia.
Hoping to bolster support against Russian President Vladimir Putin—whose forces invaded Ukraine three years ago—Zelenskyy instead faced pointed criticism from Trump and Vice President JD Vance. They accused Zelenskyy of disrespecting the United States and abruptly cut short the discussions, instructing the Ukrainian delegation to leave before a planned lunch.
A much-anticipated agreement for joint development of Ukraine’s mineral resources remained unsigned, casting doubt on future American military and economic backing for Kyiv. European leaders swiftly rallied around Zelenskyy, with German chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz urging the West not to confuse “aggressor and victim” in the conflict.
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Zelenskyy later spoke by telephone with French President Emmanuel Macron, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and EU Council President Antonio Costa, according to an official in the Ukrainian delegation. Britain will host a summit on Sunday to discuss long-term security arrangements for Ukraine in any future peace deal.
In an Oval Office exchange that quickly grew heated, Zelenskyy insisted Putin could not be trusted, while Vance pressed for renewed diplomacy. When Zelenskyy demanded that the White House take a firmer line against the Russian leader, Trump accused him of “disrespect” and suggested the United States might withdraw support unless Zelensky showed more willingness to negotiate. The US leader later posted on Truth Social that Zelenskyy was “not ready for Peace.”
Ukrainians at home, who closely followed the meeting, expressed concern over Trump’s shifting stance on the war. The Ukrainian Armed Forces chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi, pledged unity on social media, writing that his troops stand firmly with Zelenskyy. As the fallout reached Congress, some Republicans supported Trump’s calls for a quick peace, while Democrats denounced his confrontational approach.
Despite the tense atmosphere, Zelenskyy told Fox News that he remained open to repairing relations, noting that didn’t mean to appear disrespectful. Trump, en route to his Florida residence, repeated his view that Ukraine should end the conflict swiftly, warning that failing to do so would leave the country in a weakened position.
