Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was booted from the White House on Friday, and a planned joint press conference with President Trump was canceled following what Trump described as a meaningful but contentious meeting.
In a statement released after the meeting, Trump suggested that Zelensky was not prepared to pursue peace if the United States remained involved in negotiations. He claimed that the Ukrainian leader viewed American support as a strategic advantage rather than a means to end the conflict.
“It’s amazing what comes out through emotion, and 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,” Trump said. “I don’t want advantage, I want PEACE.”
Trump also accused Zelensky of disrespecting the United States during their discussions in the Oval Office, adding that the Ukrainian leader would be welcome to return “when he is ready for Peace.”
In an Oval Office meeting, tensions escalated into a scuffle after Zelensky responded to Vice President JD Vance’s remarks that Ukraine must accept U.S. peace terms.
As Zelensky began speaking, Trump interrupted, saying, “You’ve done a lot of talking.”
“From the start of the war, we were alone,” Zelensky replied.
“If you didn’t have our military equipment, this war would have been over in two weeks,” Trump said.
“In three days… I heard that from (Russian President Vladimir) Putin,” Zelensky shot back. “Now, it’s two weeks.”
“Just say thank you,” JD Vance interjected. Zelensky responded that he had thanked the “American people.”
“God bless you won’t have a war,” Zelensky said.
“You don’t know that, don’t tell us what we feel,” Trump retorted.
As the argument intensified, Trump asserted that Ukraine was not in a position to dictate the terms of a future agreement.
“You are not in a good position. You don’t have the right cards right now,” he said.
“I’m not playing cards,” Zelensky responded.
“You’re disrespecting this country, you can’t play with it,” Trump fired back.
