Zelenskyy abruptly leaves White House following heated exchange with Trump and Vance

In an unprecedented and contentious meeting at the White House, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy abruptly departed after a heated exchange with U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance.

Many commented that the language used by the US leaders is rarely seen in a diplomatic exchange.

The encounter, broadcast live on X, has drawn international attention and raised concerns about the future of U.S.-Ukraine relations.

The meeting, intended to solidify a minerals deal between the U.S. and Ukraine, quickly devolved into a confrontational exchange. President Trump accused Zelenskyy of lacking gratitude for U.S. support, stating, "You're not acting at all thankful. It's not a nice thing." He further warned, "You're either going to make a deal, or we're out, and if we're out, you'll fight it out. I don't think it's going to be pretty."

Vice President Vance intensified the criticism, accusing Zelenskyy of being disrespectful and questioning his appreciation for American assistance. He challenged the Ukrainian leader, asking, "Have you said thank you even once?"

The New York Times has noted that the Ukrainian leader visited Pennsylvania in October 2024 to go to an ammunition factory and thanked workers for manufacturing artillery shells for Kyiv. However, Vance has described this visit as campaigning for the Democrats before the presidential election.

The escalating tensions led to the abrupt termination of the meeting, with Zelenskyy leaving the White House unexpectedly. A planned joint press conference was subsequently canceled.

In the aftermath, President Trump announced that he is not currently interested in revisiting or reviving the proposed minerals deal, stating on his Truth Social platform, "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."

When Zelensky asked for a security commitment from the US, Trump said: "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 say they should have."

Trump also reportedly said the meeting is going to be "great television".

The incident has elicited a spectrum of reactions globally.

European leaders have largely expressed support for Zelenskyy. French President Emmanuel Macron emphasised that Russia is the aggressor and Ukraine the victim, stating, "We must… respect those who have been fighting since the beginning." Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk assured Ukraine, "Dear President Zelenskyy, dear Ukrainian friends, you are not alone." Similarly, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez reaffirmed support by stating, "Ukraine, Spain stands with you."

Russian officials reacted with approval to the discord. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev praised Trump for "telling the truth" to Zelenskyy's face and urged the suspension of military aid to Ukraine.

Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said it was a "miracle" that Trump and Vance managed to restrain themselves from hitting Zelenskyy.

The abrupt and public nature of the confrontation has raised concerns about the stability of U.S.-Ukraine relations and the future of military aid to Kyiv.

The collapse of the minerals deal, initially seen as a step towards a ceasefire with Russia, further complicates the matter as Trump is acting under the impression that Ukraine owes the US its resources as a way to pay back for military aid already received.