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A high-stakes meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House on Friday escalated into a heated confrontation, resulting in the Ukrainian delegation being asked to leave. The clash, which unfolded in the presence of global media, centered on disagreements over US policy toward the Russia-Ukraine war. 

The meeting, the first between Trump and Zelenskyy since Trump reassumed office last month, began on a positive note with handshakes and diplomatic pleasantries. However, tensions arose when US Vice President JD Vance criticised the previous administration’s handling of the conflict, arguing that former President Joe Biden’s strong rhetoric against Russian President Vladimir Putin had failed to prevent or de-escalate the war. Vance stated that Trump’s diplomatic approach offered a better path to peace and stability.

Zelenskyy pushed back against this perspective, stating that Russian aggression had persisted since 2014, spanning multiple US administrations. He questioned the effectiveness of diplomatic efforts, citing failed ceasefires and broken agreements. "What kind of diplomacy are you speaking about?" Zelenskyy asked, highlighting Ukraine’s ongoing struggle against Russian occupation.

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Escalating Confrontation

As the discussion grew more heated, Vance accused Zelenskyy of disrespecting US leadership by challenging their stance in the Oval Office. He also criticised Ukraine’s forced conscription policies and suggested that Zelenskyy should be more appreciative of American aid. In response, Zelenskyy invited Vance to visit Ukraine to witness the war’s impact firsthand, but Vance dismissed the offer, calling it a "propaganda tour."

Trump then interjected, taking offense at Zelenskyy’s assertion that the US would eventually feel the consequences of the war. "Don't tell us what we're going to feel," Trump shot back. "You're in no position to dictate what we're going to feel."

Trump accused Zelenskyy of endangering millions of lives and showing a lack of gratitude toward the US government. He bluntly told Zelenskyy that Ukraine was "not winning" and owed its continued resistance to US military aid. Trump further claimed that without US support, Ukraine’s war against Russia would have ended within two weeks.

Demand For Gratitude Sparks Further Tension

The conversation took another turn when Vance pressed Zelenskyy on whether he had expressed gratitude during the meeting. Zelenskyy responded that he had done so multiple times, but Trump and Vance insisted he had not explicitly thanked them in their presence. They implied that Ukraine should demonstrate more appreciation for the billions of dollars in military aid it has received.

"You're not acting at all thankful. And that's not a nice thing," Trump remarked before abruptly ending the meeting. He added that the contentious exchange would make "great television."

ALSO READ: 'Come When You Are Ready For Deal': Trump Cuts Short Talks With Zelenskyy After Heated Oval Office Clash

Trump Accuses Zelenskyy Of Hindering Peace

Following the clash, Trump took to social media, stating that Zelenskyy "can come back when he is ready for peace." He argued that the Ukrainian leader’s reluctance to embrace U.S.-brokered diplomacy suggested an attempt to gain leverage rather than end the war. "I don't want advantage, I want PEACE," Trump wrote on X, formerly Twitter, accusing Zelenskyy of disrespecting the U.S. in the Oval Office.

Zelenskyy Stands Firm, Declines To Apologise

Despite mounting pressure, Zelenskyy refused to apologise for the exchange. Speaking to Fox News, he maintained that he had done nothing wrong, though he regretted the confrontation had taken place in front of the media. He stressed that US-Ukrainian relations extended beyond personal disputes and that Ukraine still relied on Washington’s support to counter Russian aggression.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called on Zelenskyy to apologise, arguing that the meeting had been a wasted diplomatic opportunity. "Zelenskyy should apologise for wasting our time for a meeting that was going to end the way it did," Rubio said as quoted by CNN.

The fallout from the dramatic White House confrontation raises critical questions about the future of US support for Kyiv’s war efforts and the potential for a diplomatic resolution to the conflict.