Washington, D.C. 1 March — A heated exchange between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy escalated at the White House on Friday, following
recent U.S.-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia on ending the war in Ukraine.
During the tense Oval Office meeting, Trump urged Ukraine to negotiate with Moscow, warning that continued U.S. support was uncertain.
“You’re gambling with World War III,” Trump told Zelenskyy. “You don’t have the cards right now. With us, you start having cards.”
Vice President J.D. Vance backed Trump, accusing Zelenskyy of failing to show gratitude.
“You should be thanking the president for trying to bring an end to this conflict,” Vance said.
When Zelenskyy defended Ukraine’s stance, Vance shot back, “Accept that there are disagreements, and let’s go litigate those rather than trying to fight it out in the American media when you’re wrong.”
Zelenskyy remained defiant, rejecting claims that he was using U.S. support as leverage. “We are staying in our country, staying strong,” he said.
“From the very beginning of the war, we’ve been alone. And we are thankful.”
Trump dismissed the response, arguing that Ukraine’s survival depended on American aid.
“If you didn’t have our military equipment, this war would have been over in two weeks,” Trump told Zelensky.
“You’ve got to be more thankful because, let me tell you, you don’t have the cards.”
“You’re either going to make a deal, or we’re out,” he warned. “And if we’re out, you’ll fight it out. I don’t think it’s going to be pretty.”
A day after the meeting, Zelenskyy posted on X: “It is very important for us that Ukraine is heard and that no one forgets about it, neither during the war nor after.”