WASHINGTON, USA — What was intended to be a high-stakes diplomatic discussion between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy over Ukraine’s rare-earth minerals turned into a heated exchange on Friday, February 2025.
The meeting culminated in Zelenskyy abruptly leaving the White House, leading to the cancellation of a scheduled joint press conference.
The meeting, which included Vice President JD Vance, quickly turned confrontational as Trump and Vance accused Zelenskyy of showing insufficient gratitude for U.S. military aid and pressed him to negotiate an end to the war with Russia.
“He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform following the meeting.
“He can come back when he is ready for peace.”
A Heated Exchange Over Diplomacy
The confrontation escalated when Vance argued that diplomacy was the only viable path to ending the war, prompting a sharp rebuttal from Zelenskyy, who cited Russia’s repeated violations of agreements.
“He killed our people, and he didn’t exchange prisoners,” Zelenskyy said, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“What kind of diplomacy, JD, you are speaking about? What do you mean?”
Vance, in response, defended his stance. “I’m talking about the kind of diplomacy that’s going to end the destruction of your country,” he said, later adding, “I think it’s disrespectful for you to come into the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the American media right now.”
The conversation became more tense when Vance noted that Ukraine had “manpower problems” in recruiting troops. Zelenskyy challenged the vice president’s assessment, pointing out that he had never visited Ukraine.
“I’ve actually watched and seen the stories,” Vance countered. “And I know what happens is you bring people, you bring them on a propaganda tour, Mr. President.”
Zelenskyy then warned that the U.S. would eventually feel the consequences of Russia’s war. “You will feel it in the future,” he said.
Trump, raising his voice, shot back. “Don’t tell us what we’re going to feel because you’re in no position to dictate that,” he said, pointing a finger at Zelenskyy. “You’re not in a good position.”
“You’re gambling with World War III,” Trump continued. “And what you’re doing is very disrespectful to the country—this country.”
Trump’s Demand for a Deal and Frustration Over Gratitude
Trump and Vance repeatedly suggested that Zelenskyy had not shown enough appreciation for the United States’ assistance since the war began in February 2022.
“You’re not acting at all thankful, and that’s not a nice thing,” Trump told Zelenskyy.
Vance echoed the sentiment. “Have you said thank you once, this entire meeting?” he asked.
Zelenskyy has publicly expressed gratitude for U.S. support multiple times in the past, including in a 2022 address to Congress where he opened with, “Thank you so much. Thank you so much for that. Thank you.”
Asked whether the heated exchange was intentional on Trump and Vance’s part, a senior administration official deflected, saying, “Ask Zelenskyy if it was intentional.”
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), who met with Zelenskyy earlier in the day, offered a blunt reaction to the clash: “That’s what you get for letting Vance in the room.”
A Rare-Earth Minerals Deal in Jeopardy
Zelenskyy’s visit had been expected to focus on a potential agreement allowing the U.S. access to Ukraine’s vast reserves of rare-earth minerals, crucial for advanced technology and defense production.
Trump had touted the agreement as a means for Ukraine to “repay” the U.S. for its nearly $66 billion in military aid, describing it as a step toward a “more sustainable” partnership.
The minerals deal was also presented as a key part of efforts to incentivise Ukraine to seek a peace settlement with Russia.
However, tensions between the two leaders had already been escalating. Zelenskyy had rejected an initial U.S. offer, saying it lacked sufficient security guarantees for Ukraine, and had insisted that Ukrainian officials be included in U.S.-Russia peace talks—something Trump has resisted.
Trump’s frustration with Zelenskyy has been evident for weeks. He has previously referred to the Ukrainian leader as “a dictator” and falsely claimed that Ukraine, not Russia, started the war.
In a recent Fox News interview, Trump dismissed Zelenskyy’s role in negotiations, saying, “I don’t think he’s very important to be at meetings, to be honest with you.”
Despite the public clash, Trump had adopted a more measured tone on Thursday during a joint press conference with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, saying, “We’re going to get along really well… They have fought very bravely, no matter how you figure.”
For now, however, the fallout from Friday’s meeting appears to have set back both the rare-earth minerals deal and any prospects for a diplomatic breakthrough on Ukraine.
