'Make a deal or we're out', Trump warns as he accuses Zelenskyy of 'gambling with World War Three'
28 February 2025, 16:24 | Updated: 28 February 2025, 18:59
Donald Trump has warned Volodymyr Zelenskyy to "make a deal or we're out" as he accused the Ukrainian president of "gambling with World War Three".
Listen to this article
Loading audio...
The two leaders clashed during their Oval Office meeting, with Trump branding Zelenskyy "disrespectful".
After Zelenskyy warned that the US would feel the impact of the war if it continues, Trump interrupted saying: "Don't tell us what we're going to feel. We're trying to solve a problem."
The testy exchange continued with both Trump and vice president JD Vance saying that Ukraine should be thankful for US support in the war.
Trump claimed he had empowered Zelenskyy to be a tough guy, adding: "You wouldn’t be a tough guy without us."
Following the intense interaction, Trump issued a statement saying Zelenskyy was not ready for peace, with a planned press conference being called off by the leaders.
Zelenskyy made a quick exit from the White House, with plans to sign a minerals deal having fallen through.
Trump had earlier said that the deal was "a big commitment from the US", with Zelenskyy adding that he hoped the agreement would be "a step forward for Ukraine".
However, relations quickly fell apart as the pair took media questions in the Oval Office.
Addressing the ongoing war in Ukraine, Trump said that he was "in the middle" and "for both Ukraine and Russia".
He said he wanted to get the conflict between both countries "solved".
He insisted that he was not "aligned with Putin" but instead was aligned "with the US and good of the world".
Zelenskyy took the opportunity to show Trump images of prisoners of war held by Russia.
Read more: Prince Harry takes veiled swipe at Trump hours after King Charles issues surprise state visit invite
Earlier in the day, the US president greeted Zelenskyy at the White House with a handshake before the pair posed for cameras.
Trump was seen giving a thumbs up and raising a defiant fist during the brief moment.
Zelenskyy's delegation was expected to sign a landmark economic agreement with the US aimed at financing the reconstruction of war-damaged Ukraine, a deal that would closely tie the two countries together for years to come.
Although the deal, which was seen as a step toward ending the three-year war, references the importance of Ukraine's security, it leaves that to a separate agreement to be discussed between the two leaders.
However, both countries appear to have taken a step back in negotiations following their explosive meeting.
Leaders in Kyiv have pushed to ensure a potential US-brokered peace plan would include guarantees for the country's future security.
Many Ukrainians fear that a hastily negotiated peace - especially one that makes too many concessions to Russian demands - would allow Moscow to rearm and consolidate its forces for a future invasion after current hostilities cease.
Read more: Keir Starmer warns Putin may 'go again' in Ukraine and deal must be one 'that lasts'
Read more: Starmer to host Zelenskyy after Trump meetings - as PM declares UK 'all in' on backing Ukraine
Zelenskyy's visit comes after British PM Keir Starmer met with Trump on Thursday.
Speaking during a press conference, Starmer said the UK is "all in" when it comes to backing Ukraine.
It came days after he announced the UK would increase spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2027 to deal with a "dangerous new era".
Sir Keir said history "must be on the side of the peace maker, not the aggressor", added that he and Trump had discussed plans to reach a peace which is "tough and fair".
The UK and US can both win and get things done when they work together, he said.
Sir Keir later told NBC News: "My concern is that we know, historically, that Putin might go again.
"He has ambitions in relation to Ukraine. And therefore, if there’s to be a deal, it has got to be a deal that lasts."
The Prime Minister has insisted that any deal should commit to "boots on the ground and planes in the sky" to limit future incursions into Ukrainian territory.
