A high-stakes meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House ended in a tense standoff, as Trump pressed Kyiv to negotiate a peace deal with Russia or risk losing American support.
The meeting, intended to discuss continued U.S. assistance to Ukraine, quickly turned contentious when Trump warned Zelensky, “Make a deal or we’re out,” hinting at a possible shift in Washington’s stance on the ongoing war.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the United States has been one of Kyiv’s strongest allies, providing billions of dollars in military and humanitarian aid. However, Trump has long been critical of what he views as excessive U.S. involvement in foreign conflicts and has repeatedly questioned the scale of American assistance to Ukraine.
During the Oval Office exchange, Trump accused Zelensky of “gambling with World War Three” and suggested that Ukraine should show more appreciation for U.S. support.
Zelensky, however, firmly rejected any suggestion of yielding to Russian demands, stating that Ukraine “should not compromise” with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The disagreement appeared to derail another key agenda item: a proposed minerals deal between Ukraine and the U.S., which Zelensky ultimately left unsigned.
Adding to the tension, a planned joint news conference between the two leaders was abruptly canceled, and Zelensky departed without addressing the media. His motorcade left the White House without further comment.
Shortly after the meeting, Trump took to his Truth Social platform, writing, “He can come back when he is ready for peace.”
Vice President JD Vance later echoed Trump’s concerns, questioning whether Zelensky had shown sufficient gratitude for America’s ongoing support throughout the three-year conflict.
The meeting’s outcome raises new uncertainties about the future of U.S. assistance to Ukraine and whether Trump’s administration will maintain the strong backing Kyiv has relied on since the war began.
