Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky with his US counterpart Donald Trump at the White House on February 28, 2025/SCRENGRABUS President Donald Trump has told his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, "Make a deal or we're out" during an angry meeting at the White House.
The US president further told his Ukrainian counterpart to be "thankful" and accused him of "gambling with World War Three."
The talks between the two leaders come a week after Zelensky said Trump was "living in a disinformation space" created by Russia, and the US president accused Zelensky of being a "dictator," which he has since appeared to row back on.
Details of the meeting
Here are excerpts from the angry exchange in the Oval Office between Trump and Zelensky.
"If you could get a ceasefire right now, I'd tell you to take it so the bullets stop flying," Trump says.
Zelensky says: "Of course I want to stop the war - "
Trump interrupts: "You say you don't want a ceasefire."
Zelensky says he wants a ceasefire deal with "guarantees."
He tells Trump to ask the Ukrainian people what they feel about a ceasefire deal.
"I think it's very good for the American people to see what's going on," Trump says, adding: "That's why I've kept this going for so long."
He repeats that Zelensky "has to be thankful".
Zelensky replies that he's "very thankful".
Trump cuts in, voice raised: "People are dying, you're running low on soldiers".
Zelensky says: "I know."
Continuing, Trump tells Zelensky: "Your country is in big trouble."
The Ukrainian leader tries to interject but Trump waves his hands. "No, no, you've done a lot of talking", he says. "Your country is in big trouble," he repeats.
"I know, I know," Zelensky says.
"You're not winning this," says Trump. "You have a damn good chance of coming out OK because of us."
The US president adds: "We gave you through this stupid president [a reference to Joe Biden] $350bn, we gave you military equipment... if you didn't have our military equipment this war would have been over in two weeks".
"In three days, I heard it from Putin," Zelensky replies.
"It's going to be very hard to do business like this," Trump says.
Trump accuses Zelensky of "gambling with World War Three". He points his finger at the Ukrainian leader.
"What you are doing is disrespectful to the country - this country that's backed you far more than a lot of people said they should have," Trump says.
Zelensky calmly interjects: "I'm with all respect for your country".
Vice-President Vance interrupts: "Have you said 'thank you' once this entire meeting?"
Zelensky replies: "A lot of times".
Vance again says: "No, in this entire meeting, have you said 'thank you'?"
"You went to Pennsylvania and campaigned for the opposition in October. Offer some words of appreciation for the USA and the president who is trying to save your country."
Zelensky tries to respond, saying: "Please, you think that if you will speak very loudly about the war..."
He's cut off by Trump: "Your country is in big trouble".
President Zelensky asks Vice-President Vance if he's been to Ukraine "to see our problems" (in case you missed it, Vance earlier called Ukraine's leader "disrespectful".)
Vance says he's read about it and seen it.
Zelensky shakes his head and looks away, and says the US will also eventually feel the consequences of the war.
Trump appears visibly frustrated, interjecting: "Don't tell us what we're going to feel. You're in no position to dictate what we're going to feel.
"We're going to feel very good and very strong."
Trump says: "If I didn't align myself with both of them [Russia and Ukraine], you'd never have a deal."
He adds: "I'm not aligned with Putin, I'm not aligned with anybody. I'm aligned with the United States of America."
Trump says Zelensky has "tremendous hate" for Putin, before adding: "The other side" is not "exactly in love" with him either.
"You want me to be tough, I can be tougher than any human being you've ever seen... but you're never going to get a deal that way," he says.
