Zelenskyy Leaves White House After Tense Meeting with Trump, Minerals Deal on Hold

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to the White House took a dramatic turn on Friday, when a heated exchange with President Donald Trump led to the cancellation of a minerals deal that was meant to bring Ukraine closer to ending its war with Russia. The meeting, which was meant to be a chance for both leaders to strengthen ties and sign a major economic agreement, ended abruptly, leaving many questions about future U.S.-Ukraine relations.

During the meeting, Zelenskyy was supposed to sign a deal that would have allowed the U.S. greater access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals, an agreement Trump believed could help end the conflict with Russia. However, the atmosphere in the Oval Office quickly soured after Trump accused Zelenskyy of being disrespectful, and the two men engaged in a tense, public argument.

The disagreement centered around Ukraine’s war with Russia. Zelenskyy, who was seeking U.S. support to ensure Ukraine’s future security, clashed with Trump over differing views on Russia. Zelenskyy argued that Russia had repeatedly broken promises to end the fighting, while Trump insisted that Putin had not broken agreements with him and questioned Ukraine’s stance. The situation escalated when Vice President JD Vance criticized Zelenskyy for airing grievances in front of the media.

“You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people,” Trump told Zelenskyy, visibly frustrated. At one point, Trump suggested that Zelenskyy’s hatred for Russian President Vladimir Putin was a major barrier to peace.

After the meeting, Zelenskyy left the White House without signing the expected minerals deal, which would have helped fund the reconstruction of Ukraine’s war-torn economy. Trump later posted on social media, stating that Zelenskyy “disrespected” the U.S. and was not ready for peace. He also claimed that the heated exchange had been valuable, as it revealed important emotions and perspectives.

Democratic leaders, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, quickly criticized Trump’s handling of the meeting, with some accusing him of playing into Putin’s hands. The tense meeting followed a more cordial discussion the day before, when Trump had expressed support for Ukraine’s fight against Russia.

The breakdown in talks came after a series of unusual actions by the Trump administration, including a phone call with Putin and meetings between U.S. and Russian officials in Saudi Arabia, which raised concerns in Ukraine and Europe. Many feared that Trump might pursue a peace deal with Russia that would not prioritize Ukraine’s security.

Despite the public fallout, European leaders expressed strong support for Zelenskyy. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen praised Zelenskyy’s dignity and reaffirmed Europe’s backing for Ukraine.

Zelenskyy’s visit to Washington marked his fifth trip to the U.S. since the war began, but this meeting, under Trump’s administration, ended on a sour note. As the situation remains tense, it’s unclear whether the minerals deal will be revived or if further negotiations will take place.