Following weeks of intense diplomatic talks and public statements between the US and Ukrainian governments, anticipation was building for the historic meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
However, no one anticipated that it would escalate into a heated argument during the live TV broadcast, and now Trump is stating that the raw minerals deal with Ukraine, which brought Zelenskyy to the White House on Friday, was cancelled.
"I've found that President Zelenskyy isn't prepared for peace if the US is involved because he believes our participation would give him a significant advantage in the negotiations," Trump stated in a post on his Truth Social platform on Friday.
"I'm not looking for an advantage, I'm seeking peace. He disrespected the United States of America in its revered Oval Office. He can return when he's prepared for peace," he declared.
The initial atmosphere at the Friday meeting seemed relaxed, but it took a turn for the worse when US Vice President JD Vance bluntly informed Zelenskyy that Ukraine lacked sufficient personnel to sustain its combat efforts.
The Ukrainian president responded by saying that JD Vance has not visited Ukraine to make this statement, and suggested "come and see" for himself.
The situation escalated from this point onward.
Zelenskyy stressed the importance of receiving security guarantees, a demand that Ukraine has consistently reiterated. Trump suddenly interrupted Zelenskyy, telling him to "be grateful" for the assistance the US had already provided to Ukraine.
You need to be more grateful. You don't have the advantages. With us, you have the upper hand. But without us, you're at a disadvantage.
The situation in your country is extremely concerning," the US president stated, "You are not currently achieving the desired outcome.
“If you could get a ceasefire right now, I'd tell you to take it so the bullets stop flying,” Trump said.
President Zelenskyy stated, "Of course I want to end the war," when Trump interrupted him with "You say you don't want a ceasefire". Ukraine's president then clarified that he wanted a truce, but with security assurances.
Reiterating that Ukraine could only hold out for three years thanks to US military aid, Trump stated, "If you didn't have our military equipment, this war would have ended in two weeks."
"I've heard from President Putin in just three days," Zelenskyy responded.
'Just say thank you'
JD Vance told Ukraine's president, saying, "Just say thank you." He accused Zelenskyy of being disrespectful. Vance said, "You went to Pennsylvania and campaigned for the opposition in October. Express some gratitude to the United States of America and the president who is trying to save your country."
The US Vice President mentioned Zelenskyy's visit to an ammunition factory in Pennsylvania last autumn.
The press conference originally planned for after the meeting with the two presidents has been cancelled, and President Zelenskyy departed the White House unexpectedly.
The Ukrainian leader expressed gratitude to the American people, thanking them for their support and hospitality during the visit. He also extended his appreciation to the US President and Congress for their welcome.
Ukraine requires a just and enduring peace, and we are working precisely towards that goal.
Additionally, House Speaker Mike Johnson urged Zelenskyy to dismiss his ambassador to the US amid the intensifying tensions between the Ukrainian leader and Trump and his associates.
Following the visit, Johnson sent a letter demanding the immediate dismissal of Oksana Markarova, the Ukrainian ambassador to the US, accusing her of interfering in the presidential election by organizing the Ukrainian president's visit in October. He referred to the visit as "a partisan campaign event designed to help Democrats."
"The facility was located in a state with intense political rivalries, was managed by a prominent campaign representative for Kamala Harris, and deliberately excluded a single Republican participant, as no Republican had been invited," the Louisiana Republican stated.
Zelenskyy visited the ammunition factory, expressing appreciation to the workers who manufacture one of the most crucial types of ammunition used in the conflict against Russia.
He's gone through a tremendous amount with me.
During the Trump-Zelenskyy meeting on Friday, a journalist inquired what the United States would do if Russia failed to abide by the ceasefire agreement.
"What if anything happens? What if a bomb hits you right now? What if they destroy it? I'm not sure. They broke it with (former US President Joe) Biden because they didn't respect him. They didn't respect (former US President Barack) Obama. They respect me," Trump said.
The sitting US President also brought up an investigation into allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 US election and Hunter Biden, Joe Biden's son.
"Let me tell you, Putin was subjected to an intense ordeal with me. He was subjected to a false smear campaign in which he was manipulated and Russia … Russia, Russia, Russia," Trump said, referring to the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 US election.
He also brought up the laptop that belonged to Hunter Biden, and data from it was used by the media as proof of the alleged corruption of the former US president.
They claimed, 'The laptop from hell was made in Russia ... The entire project was a scam, and he (Putin) had to endure those accusations,' Trump stated.
I can only say that he might have reneged on deals with Obama and Bush, and possibly also with Biden, but I'm not aware of the specifics. However, he hasn't reneged on any deals with me. He does want to make a deal.
Donald Trump was impeached during his first presidency in 2019 following a phone call he had with the Ukrainian leader. During the conversation, Trump allegedly asked Zelenskyy about opening an investigation into Joe Biden, his main political opponent, and his son.
Several officials stated that Trump withheld aid to Ukraine at the time due to his insistence that its government conduct an investigation into the Bidens.