Trump, Vance shout at Zelenskyy in heated Oval Office meeting
Rhianna Schmunk | CBC News | Posted: February 28, 2025 5:58 PM | Last Updated: March 1
Ukrainian president left White House early after Trump called him 'disrespectful'
A meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy ended with the former shouting at the latter on Friday, creating a remarkable scene in the Oval Office unlike any other seen in recent memory.
Raising their voices and speaking over one another, Trump and Vice-President J.D. Vance berated Zelenskyy and called him "disrespectful" for coming to Washington to negotiate an agreement between the two nations with American media in the room.
"You're not in a good position. You don't have the cards right now. With us, you start having cards —" Trump said.
"I'm not playing cards —" Zelenskyy interjected.
"Right now, you are playing cards. You're gambling with the lives of millions of people," Trump said, speaking loudly over Zelenskyy. "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 say they should have."
WATCH | Trump, Vance yell in the Oval Office:
The planned meeting was supposed to finalize an agreement granting the U.S. access to rare Ukrainian minerals in exchange for ongoing military support in the war against Russia.
It was to be a high-stakes, carefully choreographed political event ending with benefit for both countries — but there was particular pressure for Zelenskyy, as his nation needs continued U.S. military aid to defend itself more than three years after the Russian invasion.
In the end, the fiery meeting ended abruptly without a deal and Zelenskyy left the White House early. A planned news conference was also cancelled, leaving a room that had been prepared with side-by-side American and Ukrainian flags sitting empty in the White House.
Trump is scheduled to leave Washington and go to his Mar-a-Lago home in Palm Beach, Fla., later Friday.
'Have you said 'thank you' even once?'
The meeting between the men took a particular turn on the topic of whether Zelenskyy has shown enough gratitude to the United States for its support in the war. At one point, a railing Trump gave Zelenskyy an ultimatum on a peace agreement: "make a deal or we're out."
Vance, sitting opposite the men, pointed at the Ukraine president and told him he should be grateful.
"Have you said thank you once? In this entire meeting, have you said thank you? … Offer some words of appreciation for the U.S.A. and the president who's trying to save your country," Vance said loudly.
Zelenskyy was more measured through the exchange. He sighed, shook his head or crossed his arms a few times when the president spoke over him. He later posted about the meeting.
"Thank you America, thank you for your support, thank you for this visit. Thank you @POTUS, Congress, and the American people. Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for that," he wrote on X.
WATCH | After Oval Office commotion, Canadian minister says Russia is watching:
In his own post, Trump reiterated his belief that Zelenskyy is "not ready for Peace if America is involved."
"Much was learned that could never be understood without conversation under such fire and pressure. It's amazing what comes out through emotion.... He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for Peace."
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau posted in support of Ukraine later Friday but did not comment directly on the meeting.
When asked about the heated exchange, Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly said Russia is paying attention to the unpredictability and said Canada's should keep standing by Ukraine.
Aurel Braun, a professor of international relations and political science at the University of Toronto, said the exchange was "something extraordinary" that will only play well with a fraction of Trump's most ardent supporters.
"Many Americans will be appalled by this. Most Americans do not want to see this kind of public bullying and humiliation of some ally, which is fighting for its life," said Braun, who is also an associate at the Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies at Harvard University.
"I think this has very long historical implications, I think this is most unfortunate, and it is not over. Trump can change his mind in a New York minute, but what has happened today has been something that will darken whatever legacy [Trump] has forever."
WATCH | Some world leaders back Zelenskyy, others praise Trump:
The president of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress said the shouting "was the most appalling display of the most appalling behaviour I have ever witnessed from a Western leader."
"I think this was deliberately set up to humiliate President Zelenskyy. I think they attempted to humiliate him, but I think that President Zelenskyy stood up proud and stood his ground with Trump and with Vance. I think they were trying to provoke him because they are becoming accustomed to Western leaders coming to the white House and kissing the ring," Alexandra Chyczij told CBC's As It Happens.
"And that is not what Zelenskyy did because Zelenskyy was held up to ransom, really, for the rare earth mineral deal, and that just wasn't enough for Trump and Vance."
LISTEN | Chyczij on Zelenskyy standing his ground:
Vance implied that Western leaders paying visits to Kyiv hosted by Zelenskyy were given "propaganda trips" and that the Ukrainian leader hadn't been thankful enough for U.S. military aid through the years.
During his first term as president, Trump suggested to Zelenskyy in a phone call that the Ukrainian leader should co-operate in efforts to discredit political rival Joe Biden. U.S. aid to Ukraine was delayed. Democrats impeached Trump for what they said was a quid pro quo, but Trump was subsequently acquitted in the Senate, avoiding removal from office.
Meanwhile, the White House removed a TASS reporter from the Oval Office once the issue was flagged to them, saying the Russian state outlet was not on the approved media list for Trump's meeting with Zelenskyy, a White House official said.
WATCH | Post-blowup, now what for Ukraine?