Trump slams Zelenskyy in heated White House clash, 'you're in no position to dictate...' | WATCH

Washington: A meeting between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House on Friday erupted into a tense and confrontational exchange, with Trump and Vice President JD Vance sharply criticising the Ukrainian leader over his stance on U.S. aid and ongoing security negotiations.

During the Oval Office discussion, Vance accused Zelenskyy of being “disrespectful” for making his case in front of the media, while Trump warned him, “You’re not really in a good position right now.” Trump escalated the exchange further, saying, "You're gambling with the lives of millions of people. You're gambling with World War Three, and what you're doing is very disrespectful to this country."

Zelenskyy warned that the United States might not feel the effects of the war now but would in the future. “Everybody has problems, even you, but you have a nice ocean and don’t feel it now – but you will feel it in the future,” he said. His remark drew an immediate rebuke from President Donald Trump, who cut him off, saying, “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.” Trump went on to assert that Zelenskyy was in no position to dictate terms, telling him, “You’re right now, not in a very good position. You don’t have the cards right now…".

The high-stakes conversation underscored the widening rift between Washington and Kyiv under Trump’s administration, as the U.S. leader took a firm stance on pushing Ukraine towards a peace deal with Russia. At one point, Trump bluntly told Zelenskyy, “You either make a deal or we are out.”

But tempers frayed after Vice President JD Vance said that "diplomacy" was needed to end the war. Zelensky asked "what kind of diplomacy" and Vance then accused him of being "disrespectful" in the president's office.

Trump then backed up his vice president as the leaders argued about whether the US had failed to stop Putin after the 2014 annexation of Crimea, and the situation became increasingly tense.

"You're not acting at all thankful," said Trump.

"It's going to be a very hard thing to do business like this," said Trump. "It's going to be a tough deal to make because the attitudes have to change."

Zelensky fought his corner with Trump in a calmer voice, accusing them of "speaking loudly."

The confrontation unfolded against the backdrop of ongoing negotiations over a U.S.-proposed economic agreement with Ukraine. Trump expressed frustration with Kyiv’s focus on security assurances, telling reporters afterward, “All they talk about is security. I said let’s make a deal first.” He also reiterated his stance that NATO and European allies should “step up” in supporting Ukraine.

The heated discussion ended with Trump admonishing Zelenskyy, stating that he was not being “very thankful” and adding, “This is going to make great television.”

The dramatic Oval Office clash, played out in front of television cameras, signalled a significant shift in U.S.-Ukraine relations, with Trump positioning himself as a dealmaker while casting doubt on further unconditional American support for Kyiv.

Zelensky was at the White House to sign a deal on sharing Ukraine's mineral riches and discuss a peace deal with Russia, despite the US president recently branding his Ukrainian counterpart a dictator.

The meeting came after a week-long diplomatic dance that has also seen the leaders of France and Britain come to the White House to persuade Trump not to abandon Kyiv.