Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy got far from a friendly welcome from President Donald Trump who repeatedly claimed the Ukrainian president was not thankful for the support Ukraine has received from the U.S. and President Trump himself.
Zelenskyy, the leader of a war-torn nation, visited the White House as Ukraine attempts to maintain United States support against Russia.
Following a tense exchange, a planned news conference between President Trump and Zelenskyy was canceled. Zelenskyy left the White House without speaking to reporters. A White House official said that President Trump asked Zelenskyy to leave following the meeting.
"You're in no position to dictate what we're gonna feel. We're gonna feel very good and very strong. You're right now not in a very good position. You're gambling with World War 3," President Trump said.
President Trump has made some of America's European allies anxious by opening lines of communication with Russia for the first time since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. He has stated that he has talked directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The Trump administration has insisted that Russia must be involved in peace talks to bring an end to the war.
In exchange for America's continued military backing of Ukraine, the White House expected Zelenskyy to sign an agreement allowing the U.S. access to Ukraine's rare minerals and energy sources. While the exact details of the agreement were not published, White House officials indicated the deal does not include security assurances.
The Trump administration has also discussed implementing a peacekeeping agreement, which could potentially see U.S. and European troops deployed to prevent Ukraine and Russia from fighting each other.
Following Friday's tense Oval Office meeting, a post by President Trump on Truth Social seemed to suggest the deal might be off.
"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. I don’t want advantage, I want PEACE," President Trump wrote. "He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for Peace.”
"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 and 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," President Trump told Zelenskyy on Friday.
Earlier this month, President Trump referred to Zelenskyy as a "dictator without elections" and added that "Zelenskyy better move fast or he is not going to have a Country left."
Before President Trump welcomed Zelenskyy, he seemingly walked back his earlier comments calling the Ukrainian leader a dictator.
On Thursday, when asked if he regretted calling Zelenskyy a dictator, he responded, "Did I say that? I can't believe I said that. Next question."
