Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy came to the White House on Friday to sign a mineral rights deal. He pushed hard for the US to give Ukraine security guarantees against Russian aggression. However, President Donald Trump wasn’t on board with that. Instead, he pressured Zelenskyy to sign the deal, leading to heated exchanges. In the end, Zelenskyy left the White House without signing the agreement.
People watching the meeting on TV saw that Trump and Vice President JD Vance weren’t respectful towards Zelenskyy. They kept interrupting him, stopping him from sharing Ukraine’s views and telling him that the US would pull support if he didn’t sign the deal. Reports say that Trump asked the Ukrainian delegation to leave and cancelled the press conference that was supposed to happen afterwards.
Zelenskyy’s blame was his support for Harris!
From the beginning of the meeting, Trump and Vance attacked Zelenskyy and tried to humiliate him.
Zelenskyy: What kind of diplomacy, J.D., you are speaking about?
Vance: I think it’s disrespectful for you to come into the Oval Office and try to litigate this in front of the American media. Right now, you guys are going around and forcing conscripts to the front lines. You should be thanking the President [Trump].
Zelenskyy: Have you ever been to Ukraine that you say what problems we have? And don’t feel [the war] now, but you will feel it in the future.
Trump: Don’t tell us what we’re going to feel. Because you are in no position to dictate that. You’ve allowed yourself to be in a very bad position. You don’t have the cards.
Zelenskyy: I am not playing cards.
Trump: you are gambling with lives of millions, you are gambling with WWIII.
Vance: Have you said thank you at least once?
Zelenskyy: even today. Many times.
Vance: you went to Pennsylvania to campaign for the opposition. Offer some words of appreciation for the president who is trying to save your country.
Zelenskyy to Vance: If you think you are speaking loudly …
Trump: No, he is not speaking loudly. Your country is in a big trouble.
Zelenskyy: can I?
Trump: no, you have done a lot of talking. You are not ruining this. You have a good damn chance of coming out of this [war] okay because of us.
Zelenskyy: Mr President, we are staying strong, from the beginning of the war we have been alone.
Trump: No, we have given you 350 billion. if you didn’t have our military equipment, the war would be over in 3 weeks.
Zelenskyy: in 3 days, I have heard it from Putin
Trump: it will be very hard to do business like that
Vance: say thank you!
Zelenskyy: I said thank you many times.
Vance: agree that there are disagreements, and let’s litigate them rather than fight them out in front of the American media when you are wrong.
Trump: I think it is good for the American people to see what’s going on. That’s why I keep it going for so long. You have to be thankful. You don’t have any cards. Your people are dying. You are running low on soldiers. If there is a ceasefire, you have to take it. So that people stop dying.
Zelenskyy: But with guarantees.
Trump: you don’t have the cards. With us, you have cards.
Zelenskyy thanked Trump and the US
President Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude to the United States for its support in a social media post following his visit to the White House.
He wrote, “Thank you, America, for your support and for the visit. Thank you to the President of the United States, Congress, and the American people. Ukraine needs a just and lasting peace, and that is what we are working towards.”
In response to the tense meeting between Zelenskyy and US officials, European leaders also voiced their support for Ukraine.
EU stands with Ukraine, supports Zelenskyy
European Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas posted on X that the free world needs a new leader.
“Ukraine is Europe! We stand by Ukraine. We will step up our support to Ukraine so that they can continue to fight back the agressor. Today, it became clear that the free world needs a new leader. It’s up to us, Europeans, to take this challenge,” she wrote.
“Your dignity honours the bravery of the Ukrainian people. Be strong, be brave, be fearless. You are never alone, dear President @ZelenskyyUa. We will continue working with you for a just and lasting peace,” wrote European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa on their accounts on X.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk wrote on social media: “Dear @ZelenskyyUa, dear Ukrainian friends, you are not alone.”
French President Emmanuel Macron also expressed his support for Ukraine and Zelenskyy.
“There is an aggressor: Russia. There is a victim: Ukraine. We were right to help Ukraine and sanction Russia three years ago—and to keep doing so. By ‘we,’ I mean the Americans, the Europeans, the Canadians, the Japanese, and many others. Thank you to all who have helped and continue to do so. And respect to those who have been fighting since the beginning—because they are fighting for their dignity, their independence, their children, and the security of Europe,” Macron posted on X.
“Ukraine, Spain stands with you,” wrote Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.
“Ukraine is not alone. Germany, together with our European allies, stands united alongside #Ukraine – and against the Russian aggression. Ukraine can build on unwavering support from Germany, Europe and beyond. Their defence of democracy & their quest for peace & security is ours,” German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock also confirmed that Berlin and Europe stand united with Ukraine.
“The Netherlands supports Ukraine as firmly as ever. Now more than ever. We want a lasting peace and an end to the war of aggression started by Russia. For Ukraine and its people, and for Europe,” posted Dick Schoof, Prime Minister of Netherlands.
Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Petr Fiala said: “We stand with Ukraine and on the side of the free world!”
“Finland and the Finnish people stand firmly with Ukraine. We will continue our unwavering support and work towards a just and lasting peace,“ Petteri Orpo, Prime Minister of Finland, posted.
Friedrich Merz, Chairman of CDU and future Chancellor emphasized Germany’s support for Ukraine.
“Dear Volodymyr @zelenskyyua, we stand with #Ukraine in good and in testing times. We must never confuse aggressor and victim in this terrible war.”
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said the only obstacle to achieving peace is Putin’s decision to continue his war of aggression. “If Russia stops fighting, there will be no war. If Ukraine stops fighting, there will be no Ukraine. Estonia’s 🇪🇪support to Ukraine 🇺🇦 remains unwavering. Time for Europe to step up.“
Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen posted on X: “Dear @ZelenskyyUA, Denmark proudly stands with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people.”
“The Ukrainian people have been courageously defending their country against the Russian aggressor, for more than 3 years.I personally visited the war zone and saw for myself how big the sacrifices were. We all want this war to end, at last. Russia is the aggressor and therefore Europe supports Ukraine‘s efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace!” said former Federal Chancellor of Austria Karl Nehammer.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani wrote, “In ,this moment of great tension, we must keep our nerves steady. We need a just peace, and there can be no negotiation without Ukraine and without Europe. The EU must remain united and continue to dialogue in the interest of all, also to ensure our safety.“
However, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni didn’t make any statement yet.
