Trump ends talks with Zelensky, accuses him of not being 'ready for peace'

President Trump on Friday called off negotiations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to end the conflict in Ukraine after a fiery Oval Office meeting in which the two leaders sparred over U.S. support for Kyiv.

“We had a very meaningful meeting in the White House today. Much was learned that could never be understood without conversation under such fire and pressure," Trump posted on Truth Social after the meeting.

"It’s amazing what comes out through emotion, and I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for Peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations," Trump continued. "I don’t want advantage, I want PEACE. He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for Peace.”

Shortly after Trump’s post on Truth Social, Zelensky’s motorcade pulled up to the White House, signaling negotiations had ended. The two leaders had been scheduled to hold a joint press conference and sign a deal giving the U.S. access to Ukraine’s critical minerals supply later in the day. The press conference was canceled, and the minerals deal was not signed.

Trump’s post followed a remarkable exchange in the Oval Office in which the president and Vice President Vance teed off on Zelensky, accusing him of being ungrateful for U.S. support and of having little leverage in talks.

The meeting, which began cordially with Trump praising the bravery of Ukrainian troops, devolved when Zelensky pressed Vance for suggesting that a diplomatic solution be reached with Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war.

Zelensky, in turn, laid out years of Putin violently taking over Ukrainian territory, going back on previous ceasefires and refusing to exchange prisoners.

“I’m talking about the kind of diplomacy that's going to end the destruction of your country,” Vance responded. “I think it's disrespectful for you to come to the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the American media. Right now, you guys are going around and forcing conscripts to the front lines because you have manpower problems, you should be thanking the president for trying to bring an end to his conflict.”

Zelensky then suggested that the United States did not feel the ramifications of the war in Ukraine yet because of geography but would feel it in the future, setting off Trump.

“Don’t tell us what we’re going to feel because you’re in no position … to dictate what we’re going to feel,” Trump replied. “We’re going to feel very good and very strong. You’re right now not in a very good position.”

“You don't have the cards right now. With us, you start having cards,” Trump said, gesturing toward Zelensky and raising his voice. “You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people, you’re gambling with World War III … and what you’re doing is very disrespectful to the country, this country, that’s backed you far more than a lot of people said they should have.”

Tensions have been heightened between Trump and Zelensky in recent weeks after the U.S. president called the Ukrainian leader a “dictator without elections” who had done a “terrible job.” Trump recently suggested Ukraine was to blame for the start of the war with Russia.

Zelensky responded that Trump was living in a “disinformation space.”

Trump had softened his tone ahead of Zelensky’s arrival after recently meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, both of whom spoke about the need for an enduring peace agreement that would deter future Russian aggression.

Updated at 1:52 p.m. EST

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