Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy returns to the Oval Office on August 18, 2025 for the first time since a spectacularly tense exchange with Donald Trump saw their talks cut short and question marks raised over future U.S. support.
At the February 28 meeting, Mr. Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance berated Zelensky on live television, accusing him of being ungrateful for US aid provided since Russia’s invasion three years prior, and pressing for quick negotiations to end the war.
The hostile confrontation marked a turning point in Kyiv-Washington relations, which had been warm under former president Joe Biden, and raised fears that Trump would cut off U.S. military support.
The scene quickly devolved at the end of a long question-and-answer session with the press.
Mr. Vance accused Mr. Zelenskyy of being “disrespectful” and displaying ingratitude for Trump’s diplomatic efforts, after the Ukrainian leader expressed skepticism that Russian President Vladimir Putin could be trusted given his repeated violations of earlier agreements.
As Mr. Zelenskyy defended his position in his non-native English, Mr. Trump was enraged by the Ukrainian leader’s suggestion that while the United States was currently far from the fighting, “you will feel it in the future” if they appeased Mr. Putin.
“You don’t know that. You don’t know that. Don’t tell us what we’re going to feel. We’re trying to solve a problem. Don’t tell us what we’re going to feel,” railed Trump, before adding: “You’re not in a good position. You don’t have the cards right now.”
As tempers flared, Mr. Vance demanded Mr. Zelenskyy thank the United States for the billions provided to Kyiv in military aid.
“Have you said ‘thank you’ once?” he asked. When Mr. Zelenskyy attempted to respond, he was silenced by Mr. Trump.
“No, no. You’ve done a lot of talking. Your country is in big trouble,” said Mr. Trump, cutting Mr. Zelensky off.
The Ukrainian leader left the White House shortly after, without signing a mineral rights deal that was a key reason for his visit.
In the ensuing days, the United States temporarily cut off military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine, heightening European fears that Trump would side with Putin in trying to end the conflict.
