Zelensky Leaves White House Without Signing Minerals Deal After Oval Office Dispute

Washington  – President Donald Trump criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday for being “disrespectful” during an unusual Oval Office meeting, then abruptly canceled the signing of a minerals deal that Trump claimed would have brought Ukraine closer to ending its war with Russia.

This dramatic turn of events could shake up affairs in Europe and beyond. During his visit with Trump, Zelensky was expected to sign an agreement granting the U.S. greater access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals, followed by a joint press conference. However, that plan was scrapped after a heated exchange between the two leaders in front of the media.

It’s unclear what this dispute means for the deal, which Trump insisted was necessary to justify the $180 billion in U.S. aid sent to Kyiv since the war began. Whether Trump will demand any concessions from Zelensky to revive the agreement remains to be seen.

Top Trump advisors asked Zelensky to leave the White House shortly after Trump berated him, openly expressing his disdain.

Trump told Zelensky:
“You’re risking World War III, and what you’re doing is disrespectful to this country—this country that has supported you far more than many believe it should have.”

The last ten minutes of the nearly 45-minute meeting turned into a tense back-and-forth between Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, and Zelensky, who urged skepticism about Russia’s diplomatic commitments, citing years of Moscow’s broken promises on the world stage.

Zelensky’s main objective was to persuade Trump not to abandon Ukraine and to warn against getting too close to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Instead, he was met with loud criticism, as Trump appeared to play up the drama for the cameras.

At one point, Zelensky argued that Putin had violated his “signature” 25 times on ceasefire agreements and other treaties, proving he couldn’t be trusted. Trump shot back, saying Putin had never broken an agreement with him, while dodging questions about security guarantees for Ukraine. He insisted that the minerals deal—now on hold—would have effectively ended the fighting.

Tensions escalated when Vance confronted Zelensky, saying:
“Mr. President, with all due respect, I think it’s inappropriate for you to come to the Oval Office and try to litigate this issue in front of the American press.”

When Zelensky tried to interject, Trump raised his voice:
“You’re risking the lives of millions of people.”

At one point, Trump declared that he was “in the middle,” not taking sides with Ukraine or Russia. He also mocked Zelensky’s “hatred” of Putin as an obstacle to peace.

Trump stated:
“You can see the hatred he has for Putin. It makes it very hard for me to negotiate a deal with this kind of hatred.”

Later, speaking to reporters just before heading to his Mar-a-Lago resort for the weekend, Trump said he wanted an “immediate ceasefire” between Russia and Ukraine but doubted Zelensky was truly committed to peace.

That evening, Zelensky appeared on Fox News, admitting that his public clash with Trump and Vance “wasn’t good for either side.” However, he maintained that Trump—who insists Putin is ready to end the war—needs to understand that Ukraine “cannot change its stance on Russia overnight.”

Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine would not enter peace talks with Russia unless it received security guarantees to prevent future attacks.

“This is a very sensitive issue for our people,” Zelensky said. “They just want to hear that America is with us, that America will stay with us. Not with Russia, with us. That’s all.”

After the meeting, Trump posted on his social media platform that he had “decided” Zelensky “is not ready for peace.”

“He insulted the United States of America in its own Oval Office. He can come back when he’s ready for peace.”

Democrats immediately condemned the breakdown. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer accused Trump and Vance of “doing Putin’s dirty work.”

The heated discussion was particularly surprising given that just a day earlier, Trump had adopted a more conciliatory tone toward Ukraine, calling U.S. support against Russia’s invasion “a worthwhile cause” and denying ever calling Zelensky a “dictator.”

For the first half-hour of the meeting, Trump and Zelensky spoke politely, even admiringly, about each other. But when Zelensky raised concerns about trusting Putin’s promises to end the war, Vance quickly rebuked him for disagreeing with Trump in public.

This immediately changed the tone of the conversation, with Zelensky becoming defensive and Trump and his vice president attacking him as ungrateful, issuing stark warnings about future U.S. support.

Trump told Zelensky:
“It’s going to be very hard to do business like this,” while both leaders debated past international aid to Ukraine.

Vance interrupted, saying:
“Again, just say thank you.”

Zelensky responded that he had expressed gratitude “many times” to the American people and the president. Later, after leaving the White House, he posted his thanks on social media.

“Thank you, America. Thank you for your support. Thank you for this visit. Thank you @POTUS, Congress, and the American people. Ukraine needs a just and lasting peace, and we are working toward exactly that.”

However, White House officials were reportedly dissatisfied with Zelensky, feeling a “hostile” dynamic in the meeting. One White House official noted that Trump was frustrated when Zelensky raised security guarantees, as Trump wanted to focus on the minerals deal.

Former President Joe Biden had also, at times, been irritated by Zelensky’s lack of gratitude for U.S. support, according to former administration officials. But unlike Trump, Biden voiced his frustrations privately.

Trump also suggested that Zelensky should not be making demands.

Pointing his finger at Zelensky, Trump said:
“You are not in a strong position. You don’t have the leverage right now.”

Just before the meeting ended, Trump commented:
“This is going to make for great television.”

While Ukrainian forces continue to hold their ground against Russia’s slow but steady advances, leaders in Kyiv are seeking assurances that any U.S.-brokered peace plan will include long-term security guarantees.

Many Ukrainians fear that a hastily negotiated peace—especially one that gives in too much to Russian demands—could allow Moscow to rearm and launch a future invasion.

Senator Lindsey Graham, a Trump ally who has advocated for continued U.S. support for Ukraine, cast doubt on whether Trump and Zelensky could repair their relationship.

“I don’t know if you can strike a deal with Zelensky anymore,” said the Republican senator from South Carolina.

Concerns about Trump brokering a peace deal unfavorable to Ukraine have grown due to his administration’s recent moves breaking with past U.S. policy.

Trump recently had a lengthy phone call with Putin, and U.S. officials met with their Russian counterparts in Saudi Arabia without inviting European or Ukrainian leaders—both seen as significant departures from previous U.S. efforts to isolate Putin.

Following the tense White House meeting, European leaders quickly reaffirmed their support for Ukraine.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen posted on X:
“Zelensky’s dignity honors the courage of the Ukrainian people. Be strong, be brave, be fearless. You are never alone, dear President.”

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called for an “immediate summit” between the U.S. and European allies to “openly discuss how we plan to confront today’s biggest challenges, starting with Ukraine.”

“Any division in the West makes us all weaker and benefits those who want to see our civilization decline. Division helps no one.”