Donald Trump accused Volodymyr Zelensky of “gambling with World War Three” as the two leaders clashed during fractious talks at the White House.
The Ukrainian president left without signing a deal granting the US access to his country’s minerals, seen as vital to ending the war with Russia, after an initially relaxed meeting with Trump became heated.
The turning point came when Trump’s Vice President, JD Vance, accused Zelensky of being “disrespectful” for urging scepticism about Russia’s commitment to diplomacy inside the Oval Office.
The Ukrainian president tried to object, prompting Trump to raise his voice and say: “You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people.”
From then on, Trump and Vance berated Zelensky, continually accusing him of being ungrateful for American military support and emphasising the weakness of Ukraine’s position.
The 45-minute engagement took a turn following an intervention by Vance, who appeared irritated by Zelensky’s insistence that Russia could not be trusted to honour international agreements.
Vance said: “Mr President, with respect. I think it’s disrespectful for you to come to the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the American media.
“Right now you guys are going around and forcing conscripts to the front lines because you have manpower problems. You should be thanking the president.”
After Zelensky suggested the United States was fortunate to have an ocean separating it from other major powers, Trump took offence.
“You’re not in a good position,” he said. “You don’t have the cards right now.”
Trump added: “You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people. You’re gambling with World War Three, and what you’re doing is very disrespectful to the country, this country that’s backed you far more than a lot of people say they should have.”
In the tense final 10 minutes, Trump and Vance repeatedly accused Zelensky of showing insufficient gratitude for American support.
Trump claims the US has given Ukraine $300bn (£238bn) in military aid, though think tanks estimate the figure to be closer to $100bn (£79bn).
“Have you said ‘thank you’ once this entire meeting?” Vance asked.
“You went to Pennsylvania and campaigned for the opposition last October. Offer some words of appreciation for the United States of America and the President who’s trying to save your country.”
During last year’s presidential campaign, Zelensky visited an ammunitions factory in the Pennsylvania, a key swing state, where thanked workers who produce one of Ukraine’s most vitally needed munitions, flanked by Democrat politicians.
Republicans saw the visit as a partisan campaign event, with speaker of the US House Mike Johnson claiming it amounted to “election interference”.
“I said ‘thank you’ a lot of times to the American people,” an exasperated Zelensky replied to Vance.
“You’ve got to be more thankful,” Trump added.
Before cutting the meeting short, Trump suggested that the US could withdraw support for Ukraine if the two countries failed to reach an agreement.
“The problem is I’ve empowered you to be a tough guy, and I don’t think you’d be a tough guy without the United States,” he said. “Your people are very brave, but you’re either going to make a deal or we’re out, and if we’re out, you’ll fight it out.
“I don’t think it’s going to be pretty, but you’ll fight it out, but you don’t have the cards, but once we sign that deal, you’re in a much better position, but you’re not acting at all thankful. And that’s not a nice thing, I’ll be honest. That’s not a nice thing.”
Soon after, Zelensky left the White House without signing the rare metals deal that he travelled to the US to finalise.
The final version would have seen the two countries jointly develop Ukraine’s mineral wealth, with the profits going to a shared fund.
Zelensky had been scheduled to have lunch with Trump before both leaders put pen to paper during a joint news conference.
Instead, Zelensky’s armoured SUV abruptly pulled up to the door of the West Wing moments after a Trump post appeared on his social media platform, Truth Social.
“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,” Trump wrote. “I don’t want advantage, I want PEACE.”
“He can come back when he is ready for Peace,” he added.
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