The US president told his Ukrainian counterpart to strike a deal with Russia “or we are out” during a heated exchange with Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House.

During what was meant to be a prelude to the two leaders signing a minerals deal, the two kept interrupting one another in front of the media.

The minerals deal was intended to be a first step toward deeper security ties between the two nations after tensions initially arose over Trump’s handling of peace negotiations with Russia over Ukraine.

However, before the agreement could be signed, the Americans ordered Zelensky to depart.

Trump once told Zelensky that he was “gambling with World War Three” and that he was not grateful enough for the political and military assistance from the United States.

Trump stated that Kyiv would need to make compromises in order to reach a peace agreement with Russia, despite Zelensky’s earlier insistence that there should be “no compromises” with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

About 20% of Ukrainian territory is currently under Russian control after the country’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.

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After the new US president seemed to blame Zelensky for the war and chastised him for not initiating peace talks with Russia sooner, the two countries met to discuss the US-Ukraine deal, which included access to Ukrainian oil, gas, and rare minerals.

In recent days, Trump’s tone had mellowed as he expressed “a lot of respect” for the Ukrainian leader.

However, Friday’s discussion soured when US Vice-President JD Vance, who was seated in the room with other politicians, informed Zelensky that diplomacy was the only way to end the war.

In response, Zelensky questioned “what kind of diplomacy?” referring to a ceasefire agreement reached in 2019 three years prior to Russia’s full-scale invasion, during which time Moscow was arming and assisting separatist fighters in the eastern region of Ukraine.

Zelensky was then accused by the vice president of disrespecting the situation and “litigating” it in front of the media.

The conversation swiftly became heated as Trump and Vance accused the president of Ukraine of being unappreciative of the US’s three-year assistance during the conflict with Russia. Trump claimed Zelensky was not qualified to express to the US how it should feel.

Zelensky was spotted driving away from the White House in his official car shortly after the meeting, which was much earlier than scheduled.

Trump claimed that “Zelensky disrespected the US in its cherished Oval Office” on Truth Social, the social media site he owns.

“I have determined that President Zelensky is not ready for Peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations,” the president of the United States said. “I don’t want advantage, I want PEACE.”

Additionally, Zelensky thanked the US and the president four times in social media posts.

In a subsequent interview with Fox News, Zelensky stated that although the public dispute “was not good,” he and Trump could still have a relationship.

He stated, “Because the relations are more than just two presidents,” and that it also had to do with “strong relations between our two people.”

US politicians’ responses to the White House meeting seemed to be divided along partisan lines, with Democrats denouncing him and Republicans applauding Trump.

Once a strong advocate for Ukraine, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham told reporters, “What I saw in the Oval Office was disrespectful and I don’t know if we can ever do business with Zelensky again.”

He stated that Zelensky “either needs to resign and send somebody over that we can do business with, or he needs to change” .

Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic House minority leader, called Zelensky’s treatment “tragic” and said it “will only serve to further embolden Vladimir Putin.”

Zelensky’s steadfastness in what they see as an existential conflict was widely praised in Ukraine.

According to one man in Kyiv, “Trump’s administration was so arrogant,” the BBC reported. “You can tell by Zelensky’s expression that the conversation that took place behind closed doors was not particularly civil.

“They have no regard for the Ukrainian people and are extremely impolite. They don’t even conceal it.

Key European allies, including France, also expressed support for Zelensky as a result of the Oval Office spat.

He had spoken to both leaders, according to a spokeswoman for UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who has positioned himself as a go-between for the US and Europe as the Trump administration takes a more isolationist stance toward the continent.

She stated that Sir Keir “retains unwavering support for Ukraine, and is doing all he can to find a path forward to a lasting peace” .

Germany’s next chancellor, Friedrich Merz, wrote that he supported Ukraine “in good and testing times” and that “we must never confuse aggressor and victim in this terrible ar.”

“Today, it became clear that the free world needs a new leader,” stated Kaja Kallas, the head of EU foreign policy. It is our responsibility as Europeans to accept this challenge.

Meanwhile, Russia claimed that Vance and Trump had behaved responsibly. It was a miracle the two had not struck Zelensky, according to a spokeswoman for the foreign ministry.