An Oval Office meeting between Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump descended into chaos after a simple nine-word response triggered fury on the American benches.
The scandalous bust-up has sparked fierce tensions across the globe after the US leader led an unprecedented humiliation of the war-time premier alongside attack dog VP JD Vance, later declaring that his counterpart was ‘not ready for peace’.
He accused Zelensky of ‘gambling with World War Three’ as they abandoned plans to sign a minerals deal which would have given further US support in exchange for access to Ukraine‘s natural resources.
The chat in front of the American media seemed genial at first as the pair began to size each other up – with Trump happily joking with reporters as they began to get underway.
But the talks soon turned sour after a seemingly-innocuous moment where Zelensky spoke earnestly to JD Vance, with Trump quietly nodding along behind him.
The Vice President can be seen to brutally turn against the war leader, pointing his finger and blasting him as ‘disrespectful’.
Leaning forward in his chair with a quiet tone, the Ukrainian President asked: ‘What kind of diplomacy, JD, are you speaking about? What do you mean?’
The furious bust-up has sparked fierce tensions across the globe after the US leader led an unprecedented humiliation of the war-time premier alongside attack dog VP JD Vance , later declaring that his counterpart was ‘not ready for peace’
He accused Zelensky of ‘gambling with World War Three’ as they abandoned plans to sign a minerals deal which would have given further US support in exchange for access to Ukraine ‘s natural resources
The talks soon turned sour after a seemingly-innocuous moment where Zelensky spoke earnestly to JD Vance, with Trump quietly nodding along behind him
In a furious tirade, Vance spat back: ‘I’m talking about the kind of diplomacy that’s going to end the destruction of your country.
‘Mr President, with respect, I think it’s disrespectful for you to come to the Oval Office and try to litigate this in front of the American media.
‘Right now you guys are going around and forcing conscripts to the front lines because you have manpower problems. You should be thanking the President for trying to bring an end to this conflict.’
The argument continued to escalate as the two sides talked over each other and the pitched battle intensified.
‘Have you ever been to Ukraine that you see the problems we have?’ Zelensky asked Vance, who last April in the Senate voted against a package with $61 billion in aid for Ukraine.
‘I have been to – I’ve actually, I’ve actually watched and seen the stories, and I know what happens is you bring people. You bring them on a propaganda tour, Mr President,’ Vance shot back.
Then Trump jumped in to defend his vice president. ‘You’ve allowed to be in a very bad position, and it happens to be right about that. YOu’re not in a good position. You don’t have the cards right now.’
‘I’m not playing cards,’ Zelensky responded, speaking over him.
The Vice President can be seen to brutally turn against the war leader, pointing his finger and blasting him as ‘disrespectful’
The American leader yesterday led an unprecidented humiliation of the war-time premier alongside attack dog VP JD Vance, later declaring that his counterpart was ‘not ready for peace’
This weekend Zelensky is taking part in crunch talks held by Starmer in London where the Prime Minister will hope to act as a bridge between the countries. His plane was seen on the tarmac at Heathrow this morning
‘Have you said thank you once?’ Vance blasted Zelensky at one point in the conflagration.
‘Just say thank you,’ Vance told him. ‘I said it a lot of times,’ Zelensky responded.
Zelensky’s first words had been: ‘Thank you so much, Mr President, thank you for the invitation’. Vance appeared to be seeking gratitude for the massive infusion of military aid.
White House officials told DailyMail.com the stunning confrontation was not any kind of premeditated tag-team operation designed to humiliate the supplicant Zelensky to try to buckle his hard-line negotiating stance or somehow gain advantage in a scuttled rare earth minerals deal.
Trump had been pleasant with Zelensky to start their interactions – although Trump’s first comment, caught on a hot-mic, was a glib remark about his informal clothing.
Zelensky has underdressed as a statement since Russia’s 2022 invasion of his country, while other wartime leaders – including Winston Churchill – have also avoided donning suits while visiting the property.
‘Zelensky should not have gone after JD,’ said a senior White House official in the minutes after the stunning confrontation played out on television. The official said his digs prompted Trump, 78, to defend his 40-year-old Number Two – and the situation quickly escalated.
‘This was not planned at all,’ said one source familiar with the situation, denying it was any kind of premeditated ambush.
Gloating Russians have dubbed the incident a ‘public political execution’ and a ‘verbal brawl’ where ‘Zelensky was shown the door’ – as they delight while the West falls into chaos
The war-hit nation was pummeled by Moscow last night, with a crowded hospital one of several targets blown up by a kamikaze drone attack
As hot as things got inside the Oval Office, there were indications President Trump was relishing the blowup after it unfolded.
‘This is going to be great television, I will say that,’ Trump remarked at the end.
Nearly a day after the argument tensions are at fever pitch as the Ukrainian President prepares for crunch talks with European leaders this weekend, where the Prime Minister will hope to act as a bridge between the nations. Sir Keir will meet with him in Downing Street this afternoon, Number 10 have confirmed, after he touched down at Stansted this morning.
Experts have warned that without drastic action the surreal scene in the Oval Office could spell the end of Nato and Trump could halt military aid to Ukraine as early as today.
In an apparent move to deescalate the situation, this morning Zelensky lavished praise on America, saying they ‘helped save’ the Ukrainian people and they are ‘truly thankful’. He concluded by adding: ‘We want only strong relations with America, and I really hope we will have them.’
He said that despite ‘tough dialogue’ the countries remain ‘strategic partners’, and President Trump’s support is ‘crucial’ to the war effort. But he called for the US to stand ‘more firmly on our side’, adding: ‘It will be difficult without the U.S. support. But we can’t lose our will, our freedom, or our people.’
This weekend Zelensky is taking part in the gathering of European leaders at Downing Street as they attempt to plan for how to police a future Ukraine peace deal. The Prime Minister believes such a deal will have to involve the US.
The Ukrainian abruptly left the White House following the war of words, later refusing to apologise and saying Trump should be ‘more on our side’. Reports this morning suggest that the President is considering ending military aid shipments to Ukraine.
Asked by Fox News last night if the US-Ukraine relationship could still be saved, Zelensky said: ‘Yes, of course, because it’s relations more than two presidents. It’s strong relations between our people and that’s why I always thank your people from our people.’
But when asked outright if he would apologise to Trump, he refused, saying he was ‘thankful’ to the president and his country. He added: ‘we have to be honest and we have to be direct with each other’.
The leaders are among those who will gather in London on Sunday to consider how to strengthen Ukraine’s current position, with military support and increased economic pressure on Russia.
BBC Political Editor Chris Mason said: ‘Having met and got on with President Trump on Thursday Sir Keir is attempting to act as a bridge between Washington and Kyiv and Washington and Europe. But the Western alliance is fracturing before our eyes.’
The UK wants US military assets to provide surveillance, intelligence and – potentially – warplanes providing air cover to deter Russian President Vladimir Putin from launching another bid to conquer his neighbour.
This morning former foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt warned that the Nato could be at risk of losing the US if it does not feel Europe is ‘pulling its weight’.
Mr Hunt told the Today programme: ‘From Europe’s point of view there is an even bigger priority than the future of Ukraine, which is the future of Nato. And there is a simple message from what happened yesterday and that is that we can’t take that for granted.
‘The 2.5 per cent of GDP increase in defence spending this week is extremely welcome from Keir Starmer but it won’t be enough and we need all European Nato countries to be spending much closer to the 3.4 per cent of GDP that America is spending before America feels that Europe is pulling its weight.
Last night Sir Keir talked with both leaders following the clash – just a day after he met with Trump to lavish praise on the US president’s efforts to secure a peace deal. Pictured: During a joint press conference on Thursday
The Ukranian abruptly stormed out of the White House following the war of words, later refusing to apologise and saying Trump should be ‘more on our side’
‘And if we don’t do that, if America feels unfairly treated, we can see the fireworks and the sort of things that we’ll be putting at risk. So right now that is a very, very big priority behind the scenes – to make sure that America remains anchored in the Western alliance.’
This morning Zelensky took to X, formerly Twitter, to make his appreciation for America clear as the country tries to minimise fallout from the diplomatic furore.
He said: ‘America’s help has been vital in helping us survive, and I want to acknowledge that. Despite the tough dialogue, we remain strategic partners. But we need to be honest and direct with each other to truly understand our shared goals.
‘It’s crucial for us to have President Trump’s support. He wants to end the war, but no one wants peace more than we do. We are the ones living this war in Ukraine. It’s a fight for our freedom, for our very survival.’
But he continued to insist that ceasefires will not work. Although he is happy to sign a minerals agreement in repayment for security guarantees he believes it is ‘not enough’.
Zelensky continued: ‘It will be difficult without the U.S. support. But we can’t lose our will, our freedom, or our people. We’ve seen how Russians came to our homes and killed many people. Nobody wants another wave of occupation. If we cannot be accepted to NATO, we need some clear structure of security guarantees from our allies in the U.S.
‘Europe is ready for contingencies and to help fund our large army. We also need the U.S. role in defining security guarantees—what kind, what volume, and when. Once these guarantees are in place, we can talk with Russia, Europe, and the U.S. about diplomacy. War alone is too long, and we don’t have enough weapons to push them out entirely.
‘When someone talks about losses, every single life matters. Russia invaded our homes, killed our people, and tried to erase us. This isn’t just about territories or numbers—it’s about real lives. That’s what we need everyone to understand.
French President Emmanuel Macron , German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen were among the leaders to express solidarity with Zelensky
‘I want the U.S. to stand more firmly on our side. This is not just a war between our two countries; Russia brought this war onto our territory and into our homes. They are wrong because they disrespected our territorial integrity.
‘All Ukrainians want to hear a strong U.S. position on our side. It’s understandable the U.S. might look for dialogue with Putin. But the U.S. has always spoken about ‘peace through strength.’ And together we can take strong steps against Putin.’
Gloating Russians have dubbed the incident a ‘public political execution’ and a ‘verbal brawl’ where ‘Zelensky was shown the door’ as they delight while the West falls into chaos.
The war-hit nation was pummeled by Moscow last night, with a crowded hospital one of several targets blown up by a kamikaze drone attack.
This morning, the Ukrainian president spoke out again to defend his nation – saying that his people ‘need to know that they are not alone’ and that they are ‘heard and not forgotten’.
Mr Hunt, who passionately spoke in defence of Ukraine while shadow Chancellor last year, said that this weekend’s summit could be a critical moment for relations with the US.
He continued: ‘Keir Starmer could still be Prime Minister when Donald Trump leaves the White House – what he will want to know and be sure of is that Nato also survives with him. And that’s why what Europe does next is very very important.
‘If Europe wants a seat at the table it needs to bring something to the table. And really the only two things that we can bring in this situation are an increase in defence spending and an offer to help police a ceasefire.
Sir Keir Starmer believes a Ukrainian peace deal with Russia will have to involve the US
‘We can get round the table – it’s been a very, very bumpy start but that’s part of this president’s negotiating style. But what we need today is cool heads, a little bit of time and then to get back to the negotiations.’
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called for ‘respectable diplomacy’ following the meeting, and said a ‘divided West only benefits Russia’.
The Tory leader echoed her earlier remarks this morning during her first visit to Northern Ireland as Tory leader. She described Mr Zelensky’s clash with Donald Trump as ‘quite an extraordinary press conference’ and added: ‘We all need to remember that President Zelensky is a hero.’
Mrs Badenoch was also asked if the offer of a second state visit to the UK for Mr Trump should be rescinded, as has been suggested by SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn.
She told broadcasters: ‘The state visit is from the King. He is the head of state and I think that is a matter for the royal family.’
She added: ‘We need to make sure that we continue to work with both our allies, both Ukraine and the US. We may disagree with the US on what happened yesterday but what is important now is how we move on from what happened yesterday.’
Reform Party leader Nigel Farage said on social media that the ‘spat’ was ‘regrettable and will make Putin feel like the winner’.
Last night a No 10 spokeswoman said: ‘The Prime Minister has tonight spoken to both President Trump and President Zelensky.
He accused Zelensky of ‘gambling with World War Three’. The Ukranian abruptly stormed out of the White House following the war of words, later refusing to apologise and saying Trump should be ‘more on our side’
The day before Sir Keir had led a charm offensive with Trump, securing support for the Chagos Islands deal and signs that he may be able to hold off US tariffs on British goods
They abandoned plans to sign a minerals deal which would have given further US support in exchange for access to Ukraine’s natural resources. Pictured: Chairs stand empty at the site of the planned agreement signing
‘He retains unwavering support for Ukraine, and is doing all he can to find a path forward to a lasting peace based on sovereignty and security for Ukraine.
‘The Prime Minister looks forward to hosting international leaders on Sunday including President Zelensky.’
The statement from Downing Street followed a show of unity from Europe’s political leaders, supporting Ukraine.
The day before the dramatic scene exploded in Washington Sir Keir had led a charm offensive with Trump, securing support for the Chagos Islands deal and signs that he may be able to hold off US tariffs on British goods.
French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen were among the leaders to express solidarity with Zelensky.
Zelensky pointedly thanked dozens of allies on social media, a day after Trump and JD Vance accused him of not being sufficiently grateful.
As Friday’s White House meeting degenerated, Vance asked Zelensky: ‘Have you said “thank you” once this entire time… in this entire meeting?’ English-language Ukranian newspaper the Kyiv Independent has since uploaded a video titled: ‘Zelensky thanks America for 4 minutes straight’.
Meanwhile in Moscow, the country is delighting in Trump’s televised spectacle – with newscasters and public figures joyfully reveling in the war leader’s humiliation.
Last night’s Russian attack triggered a fire in the medical facility and other sites and dozens of buildings were damaged. The child was injured by flying glass
A Russian strike on a medical facility triggered a fire late on Friday in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city and also hit several other targets, Mayor Ihor Terekhov said. One child was injured in the attack on the hospital
‘The insolent pig finally got a proper slap down in the Oval Office. And @realDonaldTrump is right: The Kiev regime is ‘gambling with WWIII,” wrote Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Medvedev on X.
Medvedev, now Putin’s deputy on the Russian security council, said Russia had nothing to fear from Europe’s leaders as he added in another statement that Putin is now the leader of the free world.
He mocked: ‘Europe is a feeble, grumpy old woman who desperately needs the tutelage of the US.’
Reporting on the Oval Office debacle, one gloated: ‘Public political execution and new edge in modern diplomacy. This is how world media report on the humiliating expulsion of Zelensky from the White House.
‘The meeting ended unexpectedly. Zelensky was thrown out of the White House. The planned dinner and press conferences did not happen. Trump meanwhile faced the media to tell who, according to him, really wants war and who wants peace.’
Aleksandr Kareyevsky, a TV host on the Rossiya 24 channel, said the meeting ‘looks more like a public flagellation for Zelensky’ and something that ‘no one expected from the U.S. president.’
Another gleefully added: ‘Historic scandal, diplomatic train wreck, horrifying spectacle, Zelensky’s fail. This is how world media describe the meeting between Donald Trump and the head of the Kyiv regime in the White House.
‘This is news story number one. Nobody has ever seen anything like it. Instead of filing the deal, they got into an enraging verbal brawl. Then Zelensky was shown to the door.’
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky refused to apologize in his first major interview since his disaster brawl and public meltdown with Donald Trump and JD Vance
Regional governor Oleh Syniehubov said all the strikes were in central districts of the city and emergency crews were working at the different sites
The tense war of words played out inside the Oval Office quickly went off the rails when Trump took offense of how Zelensky treated his vice president JD Vance in front of the cameras.
Zelensky, speaking to Fox News, was asked point blank if he owed Trump an apology and twice filibustered before refusing and instead attempting to be gracious and added ‘I’m not sure we did something bad.’
‘We’re thankful to Americans for all your support, you did a lot, I’m thankful to President Trump and Congress’ bipartisan support,’ Zelensky said.
‘You helped us a lot from the very beginning, you helped us to survive. We are strategic partners.’
When asked again, he refused again and tried to explain his own position.
‘We have to be honest and we have to be direct with each other. Nobody wants to finish more than we because we are in this war, in this battle for freedom for our lives,’ he said.
The Ukrainian leader said he needs Trump to be ‘on the same side’ and needs him to stop Vladimir Putin.
‘I want President Trump to be more on our side,’ he said when Baier asked if he felt it was okay for Trump to be ‘in the middle’ of negotiations.
Zelensky, speaking to Fox News, was asked point blank by Bret Baier if he owed Trump an apology and twice filibustered before refusing and instead attempting to be gracious and added ‘I’m not sure we did something bad’
‘Trump said he will stop the war and I hope he will. We need to pressure him with Europe.’
Zelensky then attempted to quote former President Ronald Reagan in saying what he wanted in a deal.
‘Peace is not just the absence of war. We are speaking of a just, lasting peace,’ he said.
Zelensky also said that Trump was lying when the president said that he wants to go back into the White House and have a do-over right now.
‘No. First of all, we want peace, that’s why we are in the US. The deal on minerals is the first step to security guarantees, it’s the first step closer to peace. We have a tough situation, to understand it is to be in Ukraine,’ he said.
He added: ‘But I respect my soldiers and our people, our civilians who work and support our warriors. I can’t just say stop because everyone is afraid that Putin will come back tomorrow.’
Zelensky added that he respects Trump and the American people but reiterated that he felt he was being honest.
‘I think this kind of spat is not good for both sides. I can’t change our Ukranian attitude to Russia. They are killers for us. This is very clear that Americans are the best friends, Europeans are the best friends. It doesn’t mean that we don’t want peace, we recognize the reality of the situation.’
Sources said the clash was unplanned, and that Zelensky should not have tangled with the VP inside the Oval Office
He also said that his country wants peace and diplomacy and said they are willing to negotiate, going against what Trump said that he wants to ‘fight fight fight.’
‘Ukraine wants peace and we will have diplomacy, we will have negotiations. It’s about just and lasting peace, we have to be very strong at the table of negotiations,’ he said.
Baier asked him lastly if his relationship with Trump was repairable after this mess.
‘Yes, of course, because it’s relations more than two presidents. It’s strong relations between our people and that’s why I always thank your people from our people.’
Vance has previous history with controversial comments on the war-torn nation. ‘I gotta be honest with you, I don’t really care what happens to Ukraine one way or another,’ he said back in 2022, even as members of both parties were rallying around the country.
And when Vance spoke at the Munich Security Conference this month, he elevated free speech issues over the Russia threat.
‘The threat that I worry the most about vis-à-vis Europe is not Russia. It’s not China. It’s not any other external actor,’ Vance said at the time.
‘What I worry about is the threat from within — the retreat of Europe from some of its most fundamental values, values shared with the United States of America.’
As hot as things got inside the Oval Office, there were indications President Trump was relishing the blowup after it unfolded
A Ukrainian hospital has been hit by a Russian kamikaze drone strike just hours after Zelensky was banished from the White House last night.
A Russian strike on a medical facility triggered a fire late on Friday in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city and also hit several other targets, Mayor Ihor Terekhov said. One child was injured in the attack on the hospital.
He said drones also hit an area near a filling station and a building close to a high-rise apartment building.
Regional governor Oleh Syniehubov said all the strikes were in central districts of the city and emergency crews were working at the different sites.
Shocking videos have captured the moment the drone struck the hospital, a huge crash can be heard in the distance.
Oleh Syniehubov, writing on the Telegram messaging app, said eight Russian drones had hit civilian areas in three central districts of the city, a frequent target of Russian attacks in the three-year-old war.
The attack triggered a fire in the medical facility and other sites and dozens of buildings were damaged. The child was injured by flying glass.
In the Black Sea port of Odesa, another frequent Russian target in southern Ukraine, a drone attack triggered fires in a private home and a business, killing one person and injuring
