In a heated Oval Office meeting, President Donald Trump warned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that the United States might withdraw its support if a peace deal is not reached.
“You either make a deal, or we are out,” Trump told Zelensky. He added, “With us, you have cards. Without us you don’t have any cards.”
Zelensky cautioned Trump against trusting Russian President Vladimir Putin, pointing out that Putin had violated agreements 25 times in the past. Trump responded by insisting that Putin would not deceive him as he did previous U.S. presidents.
“Let me tell you: Putin went through a lot of hell with me,” Trump said. “He could trick other presidents, but not me.”
Trump went on to claim he had empowered Zelensky to stand firm, but questioned whether Zelensky could maintain such resolve without American backing:
“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. Your people are very brave, but you either make a deal, or we’re out. If we’re out, you’ll fight it out. I don’t think that’s gonna be pretty, but you’ll fight it out”
The exchange escalated after Vice President J.D. Vance joined the discussion. When a Polish Radio correspondent asked Trump about concerns over his perceived friendliness toward Putin, Trump denied taking sides but noted that Zelensky’s “deep hatred” for Putin could make it harder to negotiate peace.
“He has enormous hatred, and I understand that. But I can tell you, the other side (Russia) doesn’t love him either. So this isn’t about who’s aligned with whom,” Trump said.
Vance criticized President Joe Biden for talking tough on Putin but failing to prevent Ukraine’s destruction, arguing that Trump’s approach of seeking a diplomatic solution could be more effective. Zelensky countered that Putin had repeatedly broken signed agreements:
“So what kind of diplomacy are you talking about, J.D.?” he asked.
Vance replied that he was talking about diplomacy that would end the devastation in Ukraine, accusing Zelensky of lacking respect:
“You’re now forcing conscripts to the front because of manpower issues. You should be thanking the president for trying to end this conflict.”
When Zelensky remarked that America does not feel what Ukraine feels, Trump interjected:
“Don’t tell us what we’re supposed to feel. We’re trying to solve the problem. Don’t dictate to us. That’s what you’re doing.”
Vice President Vance then suggested Zelensky should thank Trump, while Trump himself complained about a lack of respect from the Ukrainian leader:
“You’re playing with the lives of millions of people. You’re playing with World War III,” Trump told Zelensky, accusing him of risking a wider conflict.