Trump-Zelensky meeting devolves into shouting match after Vance accuses Ukraine leader of being ‘disrespectful’

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Trump took to his Truth Social site to announce the collapse in talks, writing that he and Zelensky had “a very meaningful meeting in the White House” with “much” learned that “could never be understood without conversation under such fire and pressure.” “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. As reporters watched, the two men spoke about the mineral deal that Zelensky’s government has been discussing with Trump administration officials for several weeks, with Trump saying it was “an honor” to have Zelensky at the White House — his first visit to Washington since the change of administration — and describing the work to reach a deal as “very hard” while saying it was going “very well.” “We have something that is a very fair deal, and we look forward to getting in, getting some of the rare earth, but it needs to look at the inside, and it's a big commitment for the United States, and we appreciate working with you very much, and we will continue to do that,” said Trump, who also commended Ukraine’s armed forces as having been “very brave” during the three-year-old war that began with Russia’s invasion in February 2022. When Trump was asked by a reporter from Polish radio about concerns that he is “aligned” with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump replied that he was “not aligned with anybody” save for “the United States of America, and for the good of the world.” He also accused Zelensky of harboring “tremendous hatred” for Putin and said that made it harder to “make a deal” to end the war. Turning to Vance, he said: “What kind of diplomacy, JD you are speaking about?” Vance replied: “I'm talking about the kind of diplomacy that's going to end the destruction of your country.” He then began lecturing Zelensky about contradicting Trump in front of reporters, telling the Ukrainian leader that “disrespectful for you to come to the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the American media” and echoed Russian propaganda talking points about Ukraine’s use of a military draft.