Face-to-face talks were held between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky with United States (US) President Donald Trump and his deputy JD Vance on Saturday morning (Malaysian time).
Zelensky's visit was with high hopes of reaching a consensus on a mineral agreement with America as well as assurances of continued support from the US against Russia's relentless aggression.
The visit was heralded as a major diplomatic achievement, with expectations of the signing of a profitable mineral agreement between the two countries.
However, the initially smooth talks suddenly turned tense and only lasted 10 minutes!
Warning Before the Meeting
Before stepping into the Oval Office, Zelensky received a stern warning from Republican Senator Lindsey Graham not to engage in a heated debate with Trump over security issues, according to a New York Times report.
The Calm Before the Storm
The initial situation in the Oval Office was cheerful, with Trump and Zelensky exchanging warm greetings and statements of “strong cooperation.”
Vice President J.D. Vance, seated nearby, was watching the conversation closely.
Zelensky, beginning his remarks by acknowledging Ukraine’s appreciation for past U.S. aid, but making it clear that continued support was crucial.
First Spark – Pressure for a Ceasefire
Tensions began to rise when Vance interjected, urging Zelensky to consider negotiating a ceasefire with Russia.
But Zelensky responded by firmly rejecting the suggestion, saying Putin had never stopped attacking Ukraine.
The tension in the room was heightened when Vance appeared to blame Ukraine for prolonging the war.
Don’t Mess With Us! – Trump Explodes
As the topic of discussion turned to the military challenges and troop deployments in Ukraine, Zelensky warned that the effects of Ukraine’s capitulation to Russia would also be felt by the United States.
Zelensky insisted that while the United States does not currently feel a threat from Russia due to its remote location and vast oceans, the threat will eventually be felt in the future.
Trump's expression became tense and he began to raise his voice, furious as Zelensky seemed to be lecturing him.
For Trump, Ukraine was a problem to be dealt with, not a moral struggle to be fought.
Zelensky's Misstep
As the discussion grew tense, Zelensky made a huge mistake by adding to the tension when he stated that since the beginning of the war, Ukraine had been fighting alone without adequate support.
Trump, already furious, quickly refuted the statement by citing the $350 billion in funds that had been released by Joe Biden.
Vance supported Trump and pressed Zelensky, who had never thanked America and instead acted to support Trump's opponent during the previous presidential election.
The statement referred to Zelensky’s visit to a munitions factory in Joe Biden’s hometown of Scranton, Pennsylvania, weeks before the 2024 election.
Many Republicans saw it as a tacit endorsement of Biden, further damaging their perception of the Ukrainian leader.
Just Be Grateful! – Breaking Point
At this point, the discussion had turned into a full-blown confrontation.
Trump insisted that the meeting would be a tough deal to make because of Zelensky’s attitude, while Vance added that Zelensky would simply thank them.
Zelensky, undeterred, bravely defended Ukraine’s sacrifices and refused to bow to pressure.
The Final Slap – ‘Come Back When You’re Ready for Peace’
With tensions running high, Trump suddenly stood up. The meeting ended.
The scheduled joint press conference was canceled.
Zelensky, still stunned by the open insult, was escorted out of the White House before he could make any effort to rectify the situation.
Before his convoy left, Trump posted a statement on social media with a brief, sarcastic message: Come back when you're ready for peace.
Mineral deal? Not signed. Diplomatic bridge between Washington and Kyiv? Shaky.
And the future of U.S. aid to Ukraine? Increasingly uncertain.
Is There Still Hope?
News of a heated argument in the White House is spreading.
Zelensky, in a follow-up interview with the BBC, remained adamant that Ukraine was still ready to sign a mineral deal with the US and insisted that Ukraine would not submit to aggression.
Zelensky returned to Kyiv empty-handed, while Putin likely watched the chaos with a smile.
The fallout from this meeting could determine the fate of Ukraine and Europe for years to come.
