Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky left the White House on Friday after peace talks with President Donald Trump collapsed in a tense Oval Office meeting. The two leaders had convened to discuss a possible deal granting the United States access to Ukraine's rare earth minerals, which was also viewed as part of a broader effort to resolve the three-year-old conflict sparked by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. However, the conversation devolved into pointed exchanges and raised voices, prompting the White House to cancel a scheduled joint press conference.
Zelensky did not respond to reporters' shouted questions as he departed, including inquiries about whether a potential peace deal was now off the table. Inside the Oval Office, friction arose when Zelensky pressed Vice President Vance over his repeated calls for a diplomatic solution with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Zelensky recounted Putin's history of violating previous ceasefires and annexing Ukrainian territory, while Vance urged him to be more appreciative of American support.
"What do you mean?" Zelensky asked Vance. The vice president replied, "I'm talking about the kind of diplomacy that's going to end the destruction of your country." He also said, "I think it's disrespectful for you to come to the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the American media." Zelensky contended that the United States had not yet felt the ramifications of the war due to geographic distance, warning, "You will feel it in the future."
That statement provoked President Trump. "Don't tell us what we're going to feel because you're in no position... to dictate what we're going to feel," he said. "We're going to feel very good and very strong. You're right now, not in a very good position." As the exchange intensified, Trump added, "You don't have the cards right now. With us, you start having cards. You're gambling with the lives of millions of people, you're gambling with World War III... and what you're doing is very disrespectful to the country, this country, that's backed you far more than a lot of people said they should have."
Vance pressed Zelensky directly, saying, "You went to Pennsylvania and campaigned for the opposition in October. Offer some words of appreciation for the United States of America and the president who's trying to save your country." Throughout the confrontation, Trump repeatedly raised the issue of American military aid, telling Zelensky, "If you didn't have our military equipment, this war would have been over in two weeks."
After the heated back and forth, Trump posted on Truth Social: "I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for Peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations. I don't want advantage, I want PEACE." He also claimed Zelensky "disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office" and declared, "He can come back when he is ready for Peace."
The intense confrontation overshadowed any potential signing of the rare earth minerals agreement, which was meant to boost Ukraine's economy and help the United States recoup some costs from its military support to Kyiv. A White House official confirmed to Reuters that Zelensky left without committing to the deal. Still, the Trump administration hinted it had not ruled out striking an agreement at a later date, should tensions subside.
The acrimonious meeting comes as the war in Ukraine nears its third anniversary since Russia's full-scale invasion in early 2022. Zelensky's trip to Washington was intended to bolster both diplomatic and economic ties, but Friday's events highlighted deep divisions over how to end the conflict. Trump stated, "Much was learned that could never be understood without conversation under such fire and pressure," before adding, "It's amazing what comes out through emotion."
Zelensky, for his part, left the White House with no public comments, no joint press appearance, and no clarity on whether negotiations with the Trump administration might resume. Trump has maintained that any further discussions require a change in Zelensky's posture, whereas Zelensky has warned of catastrophic regional consequences if Western leaders fail to stop Russian aggression.
