Trump, Vance and Zelenskyy spar over Russian war in tense exchange: 'Very disrespectful'

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Trump, Vance spar with Zelenskyy in tense White House meeting

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy participates in a White House meeting with President Donald Trump and Vice President Vance, discussing the mineral deal and potential peace talks with Russia.

President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sparred during their meeting at the White House to end the Russia-Ukraine War. At one point, Vance asked Zelenskyy if he'd "said thank you once this entire meeting." 

During Zelenskyy's visit to the White House, Vance said a path to securing peace between Russia and Ukraine was through the U.S. engaging in diplomacy. 

"Mr. President, with respect, I think it's disrespectful for you to come into the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the American media," Vance told Zelenskyy. "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 bringing it, to bring it into this country." 

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President Donald Trump, center, and Vice President JD Vance, right, meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, in the Oval Office at the White House Feb. 28, 2025 in Washington, D.C. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

"Have you've ever been to Ukraine that you say what problems we have?" Zelenskyy shot back. 

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"I've actually watched and seen the stories and I know that what happens is you bring people, you bring them on a propaganda tour," Vance continued. "Mr. President, do you disagree that you've had problems bringing people into your military? And do you think that it's respectful to come to the Oval Office of the United States of America and attack the administration that is trying to prevent the destruction of your country?" 

Zelenskyy added that, during war, "everybody has problems, even you" and said the U.S. would feel the war "in the future."

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"You don't know that," Trump responded as Zelenskyy said "God bless you" to Trump.

"Don't tell us what we're going to feel," Trump continued. "We're trying to solve a problem. Don't tell us what we're going to feel." 

President Donald Trump, left, Vice President JD Vance and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, right, sparred during their Feb. 28, 2025, meeting at the White House to end the Russia-Ukraine War.? (Getty Images?)

"You are in no position to dictate that, remember that," Trump said, as Zelenskyy said he was simply answering Vance's questions. 

"I feel we're going to feel very good, very strong," Trump said. "You're right now not in a very good position. You've allowed yourself to be in a very bad position. 

"You don't have the cards right now. With us, you start having cards," Trump continued. 

"I'm not playing cards," Zelesnkyy replied.

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"Yeah, you're playing cards," Trump said. "You're gambling with the lives of millions of people. You're gambling with World War III. You're gambling with World War III. And what you're doing is very disrespectful to the country, this country."

Vance interjected, asking Zelenskyy if he'd "said thank you once this entire meeting."

"You went to Pennsylvania and campaigned for the opposition in October, offer some words of appreciation for the United States of America and the president who's trying to save your country," Vance continued. 

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy argued Vice President JD Vance was speaking "loudly" before President Donald Trump shot back that Vance was not speaking loudly. (Tetiana Dzhafarova/AFP via Getty Images)

The Ukrainian leader argued Vance was speaking "loudly" before Trump shot back that Vance was not speaking loudly.

"Your country is in big trouble," Trump said. "Wait a minute. No, no, you've done a lot of talking. Your country is in big trouble." 

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Zelenskyy traveled to the U.S. Friday to meet with Trump at the White House after Trump said Thursday that a peace negotiation to end the war between Ukraine and Russia is in its final stages. The Trump administration was also working to ink an agreement with Ukraine that would allow the U.S. access to Ukraine’s minerals in exchange for support the U.S. has offered the nation since war broke out in 2022, as part of the peace deal. 

"The problem is I've empowered you to be a tough guy, and I don't think you'd be a tough guy without the United States," Trump said before the meeting wrapped up. "And your people are very brave. But you're either going to make a deal or we're out. And if we're out, you'll fight it out. I don't think it's going to be pretty, but you'll fight it out. But you don't have the cards. But once we sign that deal, you're in a much better position. But you're not acting at all thankful. And that's not a nice thing. I'll be honest. That's not a nice thing." 

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Shortly after the tense exchange in the White House, Trump posted on his Truth Social account that Zelenskyy was "not ready for Peace." A White House official confirmed to Fox News that Trump asked Zelenskyy to leave the White House after the exchange and canceled a scheduled press conference. The minerals deal was not signed. 

"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 to Truth Social Thursday afternoon.

"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. 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."

Fox News Digital's Diana Stancy contributed to this report.