DONALD Trump has accused Volodymyr Zelensky of “not wanting peace” just hours after a furious showdown in the White House.
The two leaders had been set to finalise a critical minerals deal, securing US control over a portion of Ukraine’s vast resources in exchange for continued wartime aid.
US President Donald Trump gestures as he walks to board Air Force One to depart Washington[/caption]
Trump and Zelensky had a furious shouting match during their White House meeting[/caption]
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during an interview with Fox News on Friday[/caption]
But the high-stakes meeting collapsed into chaos, with Trump berating Zelensky for failing to show enough gratitude and demanding he cut a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Speaking outside Air Force One, Trump declared: “President Zelensky 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,” Trump insisted.
“He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for peace.”
FIGHT HOUSE
Tensions exploded inside the White House as Trump yelled at Zelensky, accusing him of “gambling with World War Three” and calling him “ungrateful.”
The meeting—meant to finalise a critical minerals deal — descended into chaos as Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Zelensky clashed in a brutal three-way shouting match.
At one point, all three men were seen leaning forward, pointing fingers, and throwing their arms around in fury.
Trump didn’t hold back.
“Your people are very brave, but you’re either going to make a deal or we’re out,” he raged.
“If we’re out, you’ll fight it out. People are dying… you’re running low on soldiers. You don’t have the cards.”
When Zelensky pushed back, Trump snapped: “You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people! You’re gambling with World War Three!”
Vance piled on, demanding: “Have you said ‘thank you’ once this entire meeting?”
Zelensky replied: “A lot of times.”
The blow-up ended with Trump scrapping the planned press conference and ordering Zelensky out.
A White House official later claimed Zelensky’s delegation “began begging” to sign the minerals deal after being shown the door.
But Trump was no longer interested.
Things were looking promising when the pair met in front of the West Wing of the White house[/caption]
But soon after the heated meeting, a disappointed Zelensky was seen leaving the White House[/caption]
A press conference set to take place with Trump and Zelensky was cancelled following the White House row[/caption]
WAR EFFORT IN JEOPARDY
The fallout has sent shockwaves through Washington.
Trump’s ultimatum — “You either make a deal or we are out” — has thrown US support for Ukraine into doubt.
Just a week ago, he called Zelensky a “dictator” and a “moderately successful comedian” who had “talked the US into a war that couldn’t be won.”
Now, with the minerals deal dead, the future of US-Ukraine relations hangs in the balance.
Zelensky later posted on X: “Thank you America, thank you for your support, thank you for this visit… Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for that.”
Meanwhile, Trump’s handling of the clash has drawn fierce criticism.
Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk claimed “champagne corks were already popping” in the Kremlin.
UK Shadow Cabinet Minister Robert Jenrick called the showdown “sickening.”
The Sun Says
PRESIDENT Zelensky is a global hero who has led his wronged country’s brave defence against a tyrant’s war machine.
His ambush by Donald Trump and his vice-president as the world watched was a shocking spectacle.
Zelensky flew to Washington hoping to secure Ukraine’s future, only to be degraded and sent home with no minerals deal.
His courage and leadership have earned him far more respect than the undeserved humiliation he received on live TV.
