(NewsNation) — U.S. President Donald Trump met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday after calling his Ukrainian counterpart a “dictator without elections” last week — and the two canceled a joint press conference after a heated exchange at a photo opportunity in the Oval Office.
Trump and Zelenskyy shouting match
Zelenskyy told Trump that promises of peace from Vladimir Putin can’t be trusted, noting the Russian leader’s history of broken promises. Trump said Putin hasn’t broken agreements with him.
Trump said Zelenskyy isn’t acting “at all grateful” for the aid given to Ukraine from the United States for the war with Russia.
At one point, Trump, raising his voice, said to Zelenskyy, “you’re not really in a good position right now.”
“You’re gambling with WWIII,” Trump said.
This happened after Vice President J.D. Vance, who was at the photo op, said it was time to try something different than what Trump’s predecessor, Joe Biden. Zelenskyy directly told Vance in beginning in 2014 Ukraine had discussions with Russia.
Vance said it was “disrespectful for Zelenskyy to come into the Oval Office, litigating in front of the American media.”
“Have you said thank you once?” Vance asked Zelenskyy.
On TruthSocial, Trump characterized the meeting as “very meaningful” and said that Zelenskyy can come back when he is ready for peace.
“Much was learned that could never be understood without conversation under such fire and pressure. 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. 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 said.
Meeting over peace, minerals
During the meeting, though, Zelenskyy and Trump talked about a deal in which Ukraine will send revenue from its rare mineral resources to a fund jointly controlled by the United States. Trump has said this is a way for Kyiv to repay the U.S.
Kevin Hassett, director of the National Economic Council, said in an interview that the rare minerals deal could bring in more than $20 billion to the U.S., which could help pay down the deficit.
Zelenskyy thanked Trump for the deal, and said he wanted to talk to him about what the United States is willing to do, adding that he hopes “together, we can stop” Russian President Vladimir Putin. He said Ukraine still needs the United States’ air defense.
“Whether they’re in Russia or Ukraine, think of the parents of these kids being killed,” Zelenskyy said.
Trump told Zelenskyy that Ukrainian soldiers have been “unbelievably brave.” Talking about the deal, Trump said, “It is a big commitment from the United States.”
A reporter from Russian state media agency TASS snuck into the Oval Office meeting, although a White House official told NewsNation they were not on the approved media list for Friday’s pool.
“As soon as it came to the attention of press office staff that he was in the Oval, he was escorted out by the Press Secretary,” the official said.
This marks Zelenskyy’s fifth visit to the United States as Ukraine’s president. On Thursday, he met with senators, and later on Friday, he’s expected to speak at the Hudson Institute and then meet with members of the Ukrainian community in the United States.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
