US-Ukraine relations appeared to be hanging by a thread after White House talks between their leaders collapsed into an angry shouting match and US president Donald Trump threatened to end support for Kyiv in its defensive war against Russia.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy left the White House abruptly on Friday without signing a deal on US access to his country’s natural resources that he hoped would lead to long-term security guarantees from Washington, as Mr Trump pushes for a swift end to the Russia-Ukraine war and a rapprochement with the Kremlin.
“We had a very meaningful meeting in the White House today. Much was learned that could never be understood without conversation under such fire and pressure,” Mr Trump wrote on social media before the Ukrainian leader had even left the building.
“It’s amazing what comes out through emotion, and I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for Peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations. I don’t want advantage, I want PEACE. He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for Peace.”
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[ ‘Just say thank you.’ How Trump-Zelenskiy meeting descended into slanging matchOpens in new window ]
After a cordial start to the meeting in front of reporters, the mood quickly soured as Mr Zelenskiy urged his host to give clear security guarantees to Ukraine, to show unequivocal support for Kyiv and not to make compromises with Russian president Vladimir Putin, whom he called a “killer and a terrorist”.
“I am in the middle, I am for both Ukraine and Russia,” Mr Trump said. “I am aligned with the United States of America and the good of the world.”
After US vice-president JD Vance accused Mr Zelenskiy of not thanking the US for its support and of backing Mr Trump’s Democratic opponents in last year’s election, the US president expressed frustration with Kyiv’s reluctance to consider a ceasefire with Russia without first agreeing security guarantees with Washington.
“It’s going to be very hard to do business like this, you have to be thankful... You’re gambling with the lives of millions, you are gambling with world war three. And what you are doing is very disrespectful to this country.” Mr Trump told his guest.
“The problem is, I’ve empowered you to be a tough guy, and I don’t think you’d be a tough guy without the United States. And your people are very brave. But you’re either going to make a deal or we are out and if we’re out, you’ll fight it out.”
When Mr Zelenskiy warned the US would “feel it in the future” if it did not continue to support Ukraine, Mr Trump hit back: “Don’t tell us what we’re going to feel. We’re trying to solve a problem.”
Pointing his finger at the Ukrianian leader, Mr Trump said: “You’re not in a good position. You don’t have the cards right now. With us you start having cards.”
Shortly after leaving the White House, Mr Zelenskiy wrote on social media: “Thank you America, thank you for your support, thank you for this visit. Thank you @POTUS, Congress, and the American people. Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for that.”
French president Emmanuel Macron was one of several European leaders to quickly express support for Mr Zelenskiy: “There is an aggressor, which is Russia,” he said. “And we must … respect those who have been fighting since the beginning. Because they are fighting for their dignity, their independence, their children and the security of Europe.”
