The day began with the same cordial routine the White House reserves for visiting foreign dignitaries.
Ukraining President Volodymyr Zelensky was welcomed by President Donald Trump at the door of the West Wing with an honour guard, and the leaders shook hands politely.
We were in the Oval Office as part of Ukrainian media pool, witnessing the well-rehearsed formalities.
Zelensky presented President Trump with the championship belt of Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk.
Trump complimented Zelensky’s clothing.
So far, so diplomatic.
But minutes later, what erupted was unprecedented to say the least. The genial tone devolved into acrimony and chaos. Voices were raised, eyes-rolled, aspersions cast – and all in front of the world’s TV cameras.
The American president and the vice-president berated the visiting leader, accusing Zelensky of not being grateful enough for US support that has sustained Ukraine’s war effort.
Tensions flared when vice-president JD Vance told Zelensky that the war had to be ended through diplomacy.
What kind of diplomacy, Zelensky replied.
Talking over the Ukrainian president, Vance told the visiting leader it was “disrespectful” for him to come to the Oval Office and make his case in front of the American news media and demanded that he thank Trump for his leadership.
Journalists in the room watched with gaping mouths, as an extraordinary exchange followed.
“You’ve done enough talking. You’re not winning this,” Trump told him at one point. “You gotta be thankful. You don’t have the cards.”
“I’m not playing cards,” Zelensky replied. “I’m very serious, Mr President. I’m the president in a war.”
“You’re gambling with World War Three,” Trump responded. “And what you’re doing is very disrespectful to the country, this country, that’s backed you far more than a lot of people said they should have.”
Vance retorted: “Have you said ‘thank you’ once this entire meeting? No.”
Ukraine’s ambassador to the US watched with her head in her hands.
The atmosphere had shifted entirely – and all out in the open.
Our American colleagues remarked that they had never seen anything like it. “A scene like this was simply unimaginable in the White House,” one told me.
As reporters exited the Oval Office, many stood still, in a state of shock. In the White House briefing room, where the exchange was replayed shortly afterwards, the rest of the media who hadn’t been in the room watched in disbelief.
Confusion ensued. There were immediate questions about whether the planned news conference would go ahead – or if the much-anticipated deal between the US and Ukraine over mineral resources would even be signed.
Minutes later, Trump posted on Truth Social that Zelensky could “come back when he is ready for peace”.
The news conference and deal-signing ceremony – set to take place in the East Room of the White House – was officially cancelled.
Soon after Zelensky strode out and into a waiting SUV, as his ambassador trailed behind him.
They pulled away as the world was only beginning to digest an extraordinary moment.
Despite the full-blown argument, there may still be a minerals deal sooner or later.
But one thing is certain: this visit by Zelensky will be remembered for entirely different reasons.
The world saw first-hand how negotiations between the US and Ukraine are unfolding: they are difficult, emotional, and tense.
It was clear that this was a tough negotiation for both parties.
The gift of Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk’s belt certainly didn’t save the situation. And after this bout at the White House, the real question now is what this means for the war in Ukraine – and Zelensky’s own future.
The shouting match verbatim
ZELENSKYY: Putin broke the ceasefire. What kind of diplomacy, JD, are you even talking about?
VANCE: I think it’s disrespectful to come into the Oval Office and try to litigate this in front of the American media.
ZELENSKYY: Disrespectful? My country is under attack, millions displaced, thousands killed—and you’re worried about optics?
TRUMP: Look, we have to be smart. We can’t just keep giving you blank checks.
ZELENSKYY: Blank checks? Every dollar goes to defending our people from an invasion. Meanwhile, you have no problem giving tax cuts to billionaires.
TRUMP: We need accountability. Americans want to know where their money is going.
ZELENSKYY: It’s going to keeping democracy alive. You talk about ‘America First,’ but if Ukraine falls, Russia doesn’t stop here.
VANCE: We just think Ukraine needs to be realistic.
ZELENSKYY: Realistic? Russia is committing war crimes. They’re kidnapping our children, bombing hospitals, executing civilians. Should we be ‘realistic’ and just accept that?
TRUMP: Look, if I was president before, this never would’ve happened.
ZELENSKYY: Because you would’ve handed Ukraine over. That’s not strength—it’s appeasement.
TRUMP: Putin respects me. We would’ve had peace in 24 hours.
ZELENSKYY: Peace or surrender? Because your idea of peace is giving Putin exactly what he wants.
TRUMP: You don’t have the cards right now. You have to be thankful.
ZELENSKYY: Thankful? For what? For being forced to beg for support while Russia slaughters my people?
TRUMP: We’re just saying, you need to be flexible.
ZELENSKYY: No, I need weapons, air defenses, security guarantees—not another fake deal where Ukraine loses everything.
VANCE: Well, this isn’t Ukraine’s war alone. It’s costing Americans billions.
ZELENSKYY: And what happens when Russia wins and moves west? Do you think stopping them gets cheaper later?
TRUMP: I don’t like endless wars.
ZELENSKYY: Endless? This war only drags on because Russia refuses to stop. Not because Ukraine won’t fight.
TRUMP: Well, we have to look at America’s interests.
ZELENSKYY: America’s interests? You let Putin win, you destroy NATO, you embolden China, you weaken America’s alliances. That’s not putting America first. That’s handing it over
