A high-stakes meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy erupted into a heated confrontation on Friday, marking an extraordinary diplomatic breakdown in the Oval Office.

Zelenskyy, in Washington to finalize a critical minerals deal granting the U.S. access to Ukraine’s resources, instead found himself at the center of a tense exchange with Trump and Vice President JD Vance. The meeting, initially intended to strengthen ties, devolved into a public rebuke, with Trump and Vance openly criticizing Zelenskyy’s handling of the war against Russia.

Trump Accuses Zelenskyy of ‘Disrespect’ and Cancels Signing Ceremony

The conflict escalated to the point where their planned joint news conference was abruptly canceled. Trump later issued a brief statement, declaring that Zelenskyy had “disrespected the United States” and was not ready for peace.

“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 wrote on his social media platform. “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.”

Trump to Zelenskyy: ‘Make a Deal or We’re Out’

During the confrontation, Trump warned Zelenskyy that Ukraine lacked leverage in ongoing peace talks, an effort that has excluded both Kyiv and Europe.

“You’re gambling with World War III,” Trump told Zelenskyy as the two talked over each other. The American president then delivered what appeared to be an ultimatum:

“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.”

Vance Clashes with Zelenskyy, Demands Gratitude

At one point, Vice President JD Vance stepped in to defend Trump’s diplomatic approach, particularly his negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He confronted Zelenskyy directly, questioning his appreciation for U.S. support.

“Mr. President, with respect, I think it’s disrespectful for you to come into the Oval Office and try to litigate this in front of the American media,” Vance said. “Right now, you guys are forcing conscripts to the front lines because you have manpower problems. You should be thanking the president for trying to bring an end to this conflict.”

Zelenskyy attempted to push back, asking Vance if he had ever visited Ukraine to witness the devastation firsthand.

“During the war, everybody has problems, even you. But you have a nice ocean, and you don’t feel it now—but you will feel it in the future,” Zelenskyy told Vance.

Trump quickly interjected, admonishing the Ukrainian leader: “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.”

Zelenskyy Condemns Putin as a ‘Terrorist’

Before tensions boiled over, Zelenskyy made an impassioned plea for stronger U.S. support, calling Russian President Vladimir Putin a “killer and terrorist.”

“I really count on your strong position to stop Putin,” Zelenskyy told Trump. “You said ‘enough with the war.’ I think that’s very important. But these words should have been said to Putin at the very beginning, because he is a killer and terrorist. I hope that together we can stop him.”

The fallout from the meeting has cast further doubt on U.S. support for Ukraine, as Trump signals a major shift in foreign policy that could leave Kyiv increasingly isolated on the world stage.