President Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy clashed at the White House. The meeting aimed to end the Russia-Ukraine war. Trump cut Zelenskyy off, telling him, "You’ve talked too much."
Vance argued that diplomacy was the key to peace. He said the U.S. must engage with Russian President Vladimir Putin. "Mr. President, with respect, I think it's disrespectful for you to come into the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the American media," Vance told Zelenskyy.
Vance accused Ukraine of forcing conscripts to the front lines. "You should be thanking the president for bringing it, to bring it into this country," he added. Zelenskyy shot back. "Have you ever been to Ukraine that you say what problems we have?" he asked.
"I've watched and seen the stories," Vance responded. "You bring people on a propaganda tour." He pressed Zelenskyy on Ukraine’s manpower struggles. "Do you think it’s respectful to attack the administration trying to prevent your country’s destruction?"
Zelenskyy acknowledged that "everybody has problems, even you." He warned the U.S. would feel the war "in the future." Trump pushed back. "You don’t know that," he said. Zelenskyy replied, "God bless you."
Trump wasn’t having it. "Don’t tell us what we’re going to feel. We’re trying to solve a problem," he snapped. "You’re in no position to dictate that. Remember that." Zelenskyy defended himself, saying he was just answering Vance’s questions.
Trump continued, telling Zelenskyy he was in a "very bad position." "You don’t have the cards right now. With us, you start having cards," he said. Zelenskyy countered, "I’m not playing cards." Trump fired back, "Yeah, you are. You’re gambling with the lives of millions. You’re gambling with World War III."
Vance then asked, "Have you said thank you once this entire meeting?" He reminded Zelenskyy that he campaigned against Trump in Pennsylvania. "Offer some words of appreciation for the United States of America," he said.
Zelenskyy accused Vance of speaking "loudly." Trump disagreed. "No, no, you’ve done a lot of talking. Your country is in big trouble," he said. The tense exchange came as Trump claimed peace talks were in their final stages.
The U.S. is also negotiating access to Ukraine’s minerals in exchange for past support. Trump admitted a trilateral meeting between the U.S., Russia, and Ukraine would be tough. "They don’t like each other," he said. "It’s not a love match."