Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky left the White House just moments ago after a shouting match with President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance in front of the media in the Oval Office.
He departed without signing the minerals deal and without holding the joint news conference with Trump, as was earlier planned.
CNN’s Kaitlan Collins recounts what she witnessed during the tense meeting.
During the recent Oval Office meeting, CNN’s Kaitlan Collins observed a significant escalation in tensions between U.S. President Donald Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The discussion, initially intended to solidify a minerals agreement granting the U.S. access to Ukraine’s rare earth resources, quickly deteriorated into a heated exchange.
The confrontation began when Vice President Vance accused President Zelenskyy of showing insufficient gratitude for American support, suggesting that Ukraine should engage more earnestly in diplomatic efforts to resolve its ongoing conflict. Zelenskyy responded by highlighting Ukraine’s history of facing Russian aggression and the challenges of securing lasting peace.
President Trump then accused Ukraine of “gambling with World War III,” implying that Ukraine’s actions were jeopardizing global peace efforts. He emphasized that the conflict was a financial burden on American taxpayers and expressed frustration over Ukraine’s approach to the situation.
The escalating tensions led to the abrupt cancellation of the planned signing of the minerals deal and a scheduled joint press conference. President Zelenskyy departed the White House without securing the agreement, leaving the future of U.S.-Ukraine cooperation uncertain.
In the aftermath, European leaders expressed unwavering support for President Zelenskyy, emphasizing their commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and security. Figures such as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and French President Emmanuel Macron publicly backed Zelenskyy, condemning Russia’s aggression and assuring their continued support for Ukraine.
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Conversely, Russian officials welcomed the discord, viewing it as advantageous to their interests amid the ongoing conflict. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova praised the outcome, suggesting that the confrontation highlighted divisions within Western alliances.
The incident underscores the complexities of international diplomacy and raises concerns about the stability of alliances in addressing global security challenges. The breakdown of this high-level dialogue may necessitate renewed diplomatic efforts to restore cooperation and support for Ukraine’s defense and economic resilience.
For a visual account of the meeting, you can watch Kaitlan Collins’ report below: