Trump Cancels Zelenskyy Press Conference After Oval Office Clash: ‘He Can Come Back When He Is Ready for Peace’

“Zelenskyy is not ready for peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations,” the president says

President Donald Trump cancelled a Friday press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after their heated Oval Office exchange in front of reporters on Friday.

The expected minerals deal between the countries was also left unsigned as Zelenskyy left the White House, per The AP.

“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. 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,” Trump wrote on Truth Social after the meeting. “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.”

“Thank you America, thank you for your support, thank you for this visit. Thank you POTUS, Congress, and the American people,” Zelenskyy followed up on X. “Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for that.”

The heated exchange began when Trump said Zelenskyy would be wise to accept a cease-fire from Russian President Vladimir Putin so that the “bullets stop flying and your men stop getting killed.”

Vice President JD Vance also told Zelenskyy in the meeting to “offer some words of appreciation” for the military and financial support the U.S. has provided Ukraine. He further noted it was “disrespectful” for Zelenskyy to come into the Oval Office and “try to litigate” the Russia-Ukraine war “in front of the American media right now.”

“Your country is in big trouble,” President Trump said in one moment that was caught on camera. “I know, I know,” Zelenskyy said before asking for further commitment from the USA. “You’re not winning this,” Trump added.

You can see a few minutes of the tense exchange via the video, below:

In other news from the Trump-Zelenskyy meeting, a reporter for Russian state media was “escorted out” by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

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