Zelensky Seeks to Mend Ties with Trump After Explosive White House Showdown

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky remains hopeful about repairing ties with Donald Trump, despite a fiery Oval Office confrontation that saw the U.S. president accuse him of resisting a peace deal with Russia.

“Of course,” Zelensky said in a Fox News interview when asked if relations with Trump could still be salvaged. He emphasized that U.S.-Ukraine ties are about “more than two presidents” and stressed the importance of Washington’s support in the ongoing war.

💬 “It will be difficult without your support,” he told Fox News, Trump’s go-to media outlet.

Inside the White House Clash

The heated exchange came after a high-stakes Oval Office meeting turned into a public shouting match. Trump and Vice President JD Vance confronted Zelensky, accusing him of being ungrateful and unwilling to negotiate a ceasefire.

📢 “You don’t have the cards right now,” Trump told Zelensky, making it clear that U.S. backing was conditional. “You’re either going to make a deal, or we’re out. And if we’re out, you’ll fight it out—and I don’t think it’s going to be pretty.”

Zelensky was then asked to leave the White House early, abruptly ending discussions on a minerals-sharing agreement seen as key to a U.S.-brokered truce.

Trump later took to social media, stating that Zelensky could return only when he was “ready for peace.” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who witnessed the exchange, confirmed to Fox News that the Ukrainian delegation had to be escorted out of the building.

Zelensky later told Fox News he had no regrets about standing his ground but admitted he wished the dispute had not played out in front of reporters.

Global Reaction: Europe Rallies Behind Ukraine

Following the White House showdown, European allies rushed to express solidarity with Ukraine:

✔️ Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk: “You are not alone.”
✔️ British PM Keir Starmer: Reaffirmed “unwavering support” for Kyiv after separate calls with Trump and Zelensky.
✔️ Italy’s Giorgia Meloni: Called for an urgent global summit on Ukraine’s future.

Meanwhile, U.S. Democrats and foreign policy experts accused Trump of doing Putin’s bidding. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer slammed the administration, saying Trump and Vance were “doing Putin’s dirty work.”

However, Russia celebrated the fallout. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev mocked Zelensky, calling him an “insolent pig” who had received “a proper slap down in the Oval Office.”

Ukraine Stands Firm Amid Pressure

Despite the pressure from Washington, Zelensky reiterated his stance against a Russia-led ceasefire.

🔥 “There should be no compromises with a killer on our territory,” he declared.

His defiance sparked backlash from Trump’s allies. Secretary of State Marco Rubio went on CNN, urging Zelensky to “apologize for wasting our time.”

However, in Ukraine, public sentiment strongly backed their president. Citizens in Kyiv praised his bravery, and military officials pledged unwavering loyalty.

Trump’s Shift in U.S. Policy on Ukraine

The Oval Office dispute highlights Trump’s dramatic reversal on U.S. support for Ukraine. Once a key advocate for military aid, Trump now frames himself as a neutral mediator between Zelensky and Putin.

🚨 Key takeaways from Trump’s new stance:

He refuses to condemn Russia’s invasion.
He claims to have spoken with Putin multiple times beyond what has been publicly disclosed.
He recently called Zelensky a “dictator”, while suggesting he trusts Putin’s word on a ceasefire.

Meanwhile, the Russian military continued its assault, with Ukrainian officials reporting fresh border attacks near Kursk.