After a heated exchange, Zelenskyy was asked to leave early without signing a partnership agreement granting the U.S. access to Ukraine’s natural resources.
- Zelenskyy Pushes for Arms and Security Guarantees
- Zelenskyy Says ‘No Compromises,’ Refuses Cease-fire on Trump’s Terms
- Argument Breaks Out as Zelenskyy Confronts Vance, Doubts US Diplomacy
- Trump, Vance Say Zelenskyy Lacks Leverage
- Trump Threatens to Pull US Support If Zelenskyy Doesn’t Make a Deal
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy left the White House on Friday after his meeting with President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance devolved into a heated argument.
The two countries arranged the meeting as an opportunity for the Ukrainian leader to meet with Trump and finalize a partnership agreement for the United States to gain access to Ukraine’s wealth of natural resources.
Trump has sought to negotiate a quick end to the ongoing Russia–Ukraine war. He has also positioned the deal for access to Ukraine’s natural resources as a way to recoup some of the funds the United States has already contributed to Ukraine’s war effort.
Even before the meeting, Trump and Zelenskyy had clashed over the objectives of the natural resources deal and Trump’s broader efforts to help negotiate a peaceful settlement to the war. Last week, Trump referred to Zelenskyy as a dictator, while Zelenskyy criticized Trump’s efforts to engage Moscow in peace talks.
The United States has been Kyiv’s leading backer since Russian forces marched on Ukraine in 2022, and has allocated more than $174 billion in Ukraine-related expenses. Zelenskyy, meanwhile, has been adamant that a deal for Ukraine’s natural resources should include new U.S. security guarantees for Ukraine.
Trump and Zelenskyy’s conflicting visions became evident as they hashed them out in front of reporters at an Oval Office press engagement. Zelenskyy ultimately left the White House early, and Trump took to his Truth Social platform to declare the Ukrainian leader “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 disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for Peace,” Trump wrote.
Zelenskyy Pushes for Arms and Security Guarantees
As he opened up the Oval Office press engagement, Trump acknowledged some of the past friction he’s had with Zelenskyy, stating, “We had a little negotiation spat, but that worked out great.”
Trump then pivoted to the deal for Ukraine’s natural resources, saying it would entail a “big commitment from the United States.”
The discussion played out as the two leaders took questions from the press in the Oval Office. Trump pushed to finalize the minerals deal before entertaining further discussions about security guarantees for Ukraine.
Zelenskyy, in turn, repeatedly called for additional military support for Ukraine, including U.S. air defense systems. The Ukrainian leader raised the possibility of Ukraine sharing its drone production licenses in exchange for licenses to produce U.S. air defense systems.
“Even after the war, we need our nation to be calm … so that’s why we need this air shield,” Zelenskyy said.
Zelenskyy said European nations are also willing to provide their own security guarantees, but said without further U.S. guarantees, those European commitments would not be “as strong as we need.”
Trump indicated he’d be willing to support more arms shipments to Ukraine, and expressed hopes that most of these shipments won’t be needed if a peace deal can be reached with Moscow.
“Hopefully, I won’t have to send very much because, hopefully, we’re going to have it finished,” Trump said.
By Ryan Morgan
