Tempers Flare in the Oval Office as Trump and Zelenskyy Clash
On Friday, tensions escalated in the White House’s Oval Office during a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and U.S. Vice President JD Vance. The discussion, which was captured by multiple American media outlets, turned chaotic, leading to the abrupt cancellation of a scheduled joint press conference. Zelenskyy left the White House shortly after the meeting, and a planned agreement between the U.S. and Ukraine was not signed, according to reports from the Associated Press and Reuters.
Here’s a transcript of the heated exchange that unfolded:
Zelenskyy:
Yes, yes, but then [Russia] broke the ceasefire. They killed our people and did not follow through on the prisoner exchange. We signed an agreement, but they didn’t. What kind of diplomacy are you asking for, JD? What do you mean by that?
Vance:
I’m talking about the kind of diplomacy that will end the destruction of your country.
Zelenskyy:
Yes, but if—
Vance:
Mr. President, I think it’s disrespectful for you to come to the Oval Office and trial this before the American media. Right now, you’re sending hills to the front lines because you have issues with manpower. You should thank the President—
Zelenskyy:
Have you ever been to Ukraine? Do you know the problems we’re facing?
Vance:
Actually, I’ve followed the stories and know what’s happening. You brought people on a propaganda tour, Mr. President. Do you deny having problems recruiting for your army? Do you think it’s respectful to come to the Oval Office of the United States and attack an administration trying to prevent the destruction of your country?
Zelenskyy:
Many questions. Let’s start from the beginning. During war, everyone has problems—even you. But you have a nice ocean, and you don’t feel it now, but you will in the future. God bless you.
Trump:
You don’t know that. Don’t tell us what we’ll feel. We’re trying to solve the problem. Don’t tell us what we’ll feel.
Zelenskyy:
I’m not telling you—
Trump:
Because you’re in no position to dictate what we’ll feel. We’ll feel very good. We’ll feel very strong. You’re not in a good position right now. You’re in a very bad situation, and [Vance] is right about that.
Zelenskyy:
From the very beginning of the war—
Trump:
You’re not in a good position. You don’t have leverage right now. You only start to have leverage with us.
Zelenskyy:
I don’t play cards.
Trump:
Yes, you do. You’re playing with millions of people. You’re playing with World War III. And what you’re doing is very disrespectful to this country, which has supported you more than many people thought we should.
Vance:
Have you said thank you once during this entire meeting?
Zelenskyy:
Many times. Even today.
Vance:
No, for the entire meeting.
Zelenskyy:
Even today.
Vance:
You went to Pennsylvania in October and campaigned for the opposition. Offer some words of recognition for the United States and the President trying to save your country.
Zelenskyy:
Please. Do you think that if you talk very loudly about the war—
Trump:
They’re not talking loudly. Your country is in deep trouble.
Zelenskyy:
Can I answer?
Trump:
No, no. You’ve done enough talking. Your country is in great trouble.
Zelenskyy:
I know.
The exchange continued, with Trump emphasizing the U.S.’s significant support for Ukraine, including $350 billion in aid and military equipment. He criticized Zelenskyy for not showing sufficient gratitude and for rejecting calls for a ceasefire.
Trump:
You won’t win. You’ve got a damn good chance to come out of this because of us. Your people are brave, but they need our military equipment. Without it, this war would’ve ended in two weeks.
Zelenskyy:
In three days, I heard that from Putin. In three days.
Trump:
Maybe less. It would’ve been very difficult to do this again.
The meeting ended without resolution, leaving the future of U.S.-Ukraine relations uncertain. The clash highlighted deep divisions and underscored the challenges of diplomacy amid ongoing conflict.
