President Volodymyr Zelensky left the White House earlier than expected after a tense meeting with President Donald Trump. The discussion became contentious when Trump claimed that Zelenskyy was "not ready for peace," highlighting their differing views on the ongoing conflict.
During the meeting, the two leaders clashed over Kyiv's requests for security guarantees, with Zelenskyy pushing for stronger commitments while Trump remained skeptical. They were also expected to sign a deal on mineral resources, but the outcome of that agreement remains unclear.
In response to the dispute, European leaders have voiced their support for Zelenskyy, while Russian officials have praised Trump’s stance.
Zelenskyy was asked to leave White House: US media reports
US media reported that President Donald Trump and other officials felt disrespected and asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to leave.
Following a spat with his US counterpart, Zelenskyy abruptly departed the White House. A planned joint press conference between him and Trump was canceled.
US State Department says Zelenskyy can 'turn things around'
A spokesperson for the US State Department said on Friday that Zelenskyy could turn things around after he abruptly left the White House and a minerals deal signing ceremony was called off.
"I think maybe he's having some second thoughts, but he has a chance to turn this around," State Department Tammy Bruce said during an interview with Fox Business.
The public row between Zelenskyy and Trump cut short what was meant to be a day of Ukraine-US diplomacy.
Trump no longer interested in minerals deal, officials says
President Donald Trump has said he is not currently interested in revisiting or reviving the critical minerals deal with Ukraine that Volodymyr Zelenskyy had originally traveled to Washington to sign, a senior White House official told Reuters news agency.
The White House official also claimed Zelenskyy’s delegation began "begging" to sign the deal immediately after being told to leave the White House.
Zelenskyy: Difficult to hold off Russia without US
After leaving the Oval Office, Ukraine's Zelenskyy said he respected the US president and the American people. Zelenskyy told Fox News it would be difficult for his country to hold off the now three-year Russian invasion without US support.
However, he said Ukraine would not enter peace talks with Russia without security guarantees to prevent a renewed Russian offensive.
Asked if he should apologize to Trump, as several US politicians have demanded, Zelenskyy said, "We have to be very open and honest. I am not sure that we did something bad."
He described the meeting in the Oval Office as "not good for both sides" but also added he does "not want to lose" the US as a partner and that his relationship with Trump can be salvaged.
(Source: DW)
