Washington, D.C. Mar 1 (V7N)– In a stunning diplomatic breakdown, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky abruptly left the White House following a tense and highly charged meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. The fallout, which saw a planned joint press conference canceled and a proposed mineral resources agreement left unsigned, has sent shockwaves through global diplomatic circles.

The confrontation reportedly escalated when Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance accused Zelensky of being ungrateful for U.S. support in Ukraine’s ongoing war against Russia. According to sources familiar with the meeting, Trump told Zelensky, “You don’t have the cards right now. Either you make a deal, or we’re out.” Zelensky pushed back, insisting that there could be “no compromises with a killer,” referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The dramatic Oval Office exchange ended with Zelensky exiting the White House without addressing the media. Trump later took to his social media platform, Truth Social, writing, “When he is ready for peace, he is welcome to return.”

The originally scheduled press conference was abruptly scrapped after the verbal clash, and the high-stakes minerals agreement—seen as a potential step toward a U.S.-brokered peace deal—was left unsigned. The Biden administration had previously warned that Trump’s stance on Ukraine could alienate European allies, a concern that now appears more pressing than ever.

Vice President Vance reportedly told Zelensky, “You have not expressed gratitude even once,” to which the Ukrainian leader responded, “I have said it many times—thank you to the American people.” The exchange, sources say, reflected a growing rift between the two nations over how to handle the war and the terms of a possible truce.

The diplomatic row has sparked strong reactions from European leaders, many of whom have reaffirmed their support for Ukraine in the wake of the White House incident.

“You are not alone,” Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk wrote in a direct message to Zelensky, echoing a sentiment shared by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who pledged “unwavering support” for Kyiv following the confrontation. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called for an urgent summit between the United States and European allies to address the growing divide.

Meanwhile, Russia reacted with apparent satisfaction. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev referred to Zelensky as an “insolent pig” who had been “properly put in his place.” Russian foreign ministry officials also applauded Trump’s tough stance, with one spokesperson calling it a “miracle of restraint” that the U.S. president did not outright dismiss Ukraine’s requests for continued aid.

Trump has repeatedly insisted that Ukraine must make “compromises” in its negotiations with Russia, a position that many European leaders and U.S. lawmakers view as a de facto concession to Putin. The former U.S. president has been open about his direct communications with the Russian leader, revealing during the Oval Office meeting that he has spoken to Putin “on numerous occasions” regarding a potential truce.

The abrupt breakdown of talks marks a pivotal moment in the war’s trajectory and the U.S.-Ukraine alliance. While Trump’s supporters argue that his position will bring about a faster resolution to the conflict, critics warn that his approach risks emboldening Russia and undermining U.S. credibility on the world stage.

As Zelensky returns to Kyiv, the Ukrainian government remains defiant. In a statement released shortly after his departure from Washington, Ukraine’s foreign minister vowed, “We will not be pressured into surrender.”

With the war raging on and diplomatic tensions at an all-time high, the world is left watching—uncertain of what comes next.

END/SMA/RH/