Trump-Zelenskyy Oval Office clash exposes deep rift over Ukraine war strategy

Hind Al Soulia - Riyadh - WASHINGTON — A tense and dramatic confrontation unfolded in the Oval Office on Friday as U.S. President Donald Trump clashed with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, bringing weeks of diplomatic maneuvering to an abrupt and volatile end.

In a shocking exchange, Trump berated Zelenskyy for being “disrespectful” and accused him of “gambling with World War III.”

The heated meeting, which was initially expected to cement economic and security agreements between Washington and Kyiv, instead devolved into a public rupture that left Ukraine’s future military and financial backing from the U.S. in jeopardy.

Zelenskyy had arrived in Washington seeking firm security guarantees and continued U.S. military assistance to fend off further Russian aggression.

Instead, Trump made it clear that his administration’s priority was securing American access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals while pushing Kyiv toward a peace deal with Moscow on U.S. terms.

“You either make a deal, or we are out,” Trump told Zelenskyy, signaling his intent to end U.S. involvement in the war unless Ukraine agreed to negotiations that favored a swift resolution—whether or not it aligned with Kyiv’s interests.

The meeting, which lasted nearly 45 minutes, started with diplomatic pleasantries but quickly turned confrontational when Zelenskyy expressed skepticism about Russia’s commitment to peace, citing Moscow’s history of violating international agreements.

Vice President JD Vance, known for his critical stance on American aid to Ukraine, took issue with Zelenskyy’s remarks.

“Mr. President, with respect, I think it’s disrespectful for you to come into the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the American media,” Vance said.

Trump, seizing on the moment, raised his voice and lashed out. “You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people,” he said.

“You’re gambling with World War III, and what you’re doing is very disrespectful to this country, which has backed you far more than a lot of people say we should have.”

The explosive exchange represented a stark departure from Washington’s longstanding bipartisan support for Ukraine.

Trump’s remarks suggested a shift toward a more transactional foreign policy, where continued U.S. support would be contingent on direct economic and political benefits rather than broader democratic and security concerns.

Throughout the week, European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, had urged Trump to maintain pressure on Russia while ensuring security commitments for Ukraine.

However, Trump appeared unmoved, even as his administration began laying the groundwork for direct talks with Russian officials.

Trump also downplayed concerns about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s reliability.

“You see the hatred he’s got for Putin,” Trump said of Zelenskyy. “That’s very tough for me to make a deal with that kind of hate.”

The breakdown of the meeting had immediate consequences. Plans for a joint press conference and a working lunch were scrapped, and top Trump advisers asked Zelenskyy to leave the White House.

The much-anticipated economic agreement that was set to be signed between the two nations was left in limbo.

Speaking to Fox News later that evening, Zelenskyy admitted that the public confrontation had been damaging. “It’s not good for both sides,” he said.

However, he insisted that Ukraine could not afford to accept a deal without guarantees against future Russian aggression.

“Everybody is afraid Putin will come back tomorrow,” Zelenskyy said. “We want just and lasting peace.”

When asked if he would apologize to Trump, Zelenskyy hesitated before finally conceding, “Sorry for this.” — Agencies