After several weeks of intense negotiations and statements between Washington and Kyiv, expectations for the first meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky were high.
However, it seems that no one anticipated it would devolve into a heated argument broadcast live.
The tone of the meeting became less diplomatic when U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance told Zelensky that Ukraine lacked the manpower to continue fighting.
The Ukrainian president responded that J.D. Vance had not been to Ukraine to make such remarks, adding, "Come and see."
From that moment on, tensions escalated further.
Zelensky emphasized the need for security guarantees that Kyiv had repeatedly insisted upon. Trump interrupted Zelensky, stating that he should "be grateful" for what the U.S. had already done to assist Ukraine.
"You should be more grateful. You have no cards. With us, you have cards. But without us, you have no cards," Trump said.
"Your country has big problems," the U.S. president continued, adding: "You will not win."
Reiterating that Ukraine has been able to defend itself for three years solely due to U.S. military assistance, Trump stated: "If you didn't have our military equipment, this war would have ended in two weeks."
"In three days, (as) I heard from Putin," Zelensky responded.
Just Say: "Thank You"
J.D. Vance also advised the Ukrainian president to "just say thank you," accusing Zelensky of disrespect. "You traveled to Pennsylvania and campaigned for the opposition in October. Say a few words of gratitude to the United States of America and the president who is trying to save your country," Vance said.
The U.S. vice president mentioned Zelensky's visit to an ammunition factory in Pennsylvania last fall. At that time, House Speaker Mike Johnson called for the immediate dismissal of Ukraine's ambassador to the U.S., Oksana Markarova, accusing her of interfering in the presidential elections by organizing a visit that he labeled as "a campaign event designed to help the Democrats."
"Putin Has Been Through a Lot with Me"
During the meeting between Trump and Zelensky on Friday, a journalist asked what the United States would do if Russia violated the ceasefire.
"And what if a bomb falls on your head right now? What if they violate it? I don't know. They violated it with (former U.S. President Joe) Biden because they didn't respect him. They didn't respect (former U.S. President Barack) Obama. They respect me," Trump replied.
The current U.S. president also touched on the investigation based on suspicions of Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. elections and Joe Biden's son, Hunter Biden.
"Let me tell you, Putin has been through a lot with me. He went through a fake witch hunt, where he and Russia were used... Russia, Russia, Russia," Trump said.
He also mentioned the laptop belonging to Hunter Biden, the data from which was later used by the media as evidence of alleged corruption involving the former U.S. president.
"And then they said, 'Oh, this hellish laptop was made in Russia... It was all a fraud, and he (Putin) had to deal with it. He was accused of all these things," Trump stated.
"All I can say is this: he could have violated deals with Obama and Bush, and he could have violated them with Biden... Maybe he did, I don't know what happened. But with me, he didn't violate them. He wants to make a deal," the American president assured, expressing his trust in Putin.
Trump was impeached during his first presidential term in 2019 due to a phone call with the Ukrainian leader. At that time, the U.S. president allegedly asked Zelensky to initiate an investigation into Joe Biden, his main political rival, and his son.
According to various officials, at that time, Trump withheld aid to Ukraine due to his demands for an investigation into the Bidens.
"He Can Come Back"
After the argument with Trump, Zelensky left the White House prematurely, and the presidents' press conference was canceled.
"Thank you, America, thank you for your support, thank you for this visit. Thank you to the president, Congress, and the American people,"
the Ukrainian leader said in a message after the meeting on Friday on X. - "Ukraine needs a just and lasting peace, and we are working towards that."
The American president stated that the Ukrainian leader could return when he is ready for a peaceful settlement.
"Today we had a very substantive meeting at the White House," Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth. - "We learned a lot that cannot be understood without a conversation under such fire and pressure. It's amazing what comes out in emotions. And I realized that President Zelensky is not ready for peace if America is involved, because he feels that our involvement gives him a significant advantage in negotiations. I don't need advantages; I need PEACE. He showed disrespect to the United States of America in their cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for peace."
American media reported that the signing of an agreement between the U.S. and Ukraine regarding minerals has been canceled.