A tense White House meeting between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy erupted into chaos Friday, as Trump lashed out at the Ukrainian leader, belittling his calls for security guarantees and dismissing Ukraine’s ongoing struggle against Russian aggression.
According to multiple sources, Trump berated Zelenskyy for not being “grateful enough” for past U.S. military aid, cutting him off mid-sentence and mocking his requests for continued support. Vice President JD Vance joined in, accusing Ukraine of acting entitled while refusing to commit to any long-term aid or security guarantees.
In a furious post on Truth Social afterward, Trump attacked Zelenskyy, calling him “disrespectful” and suggesting that Ukraine should make peace with Russia on Moscow’s terms. The move was widely seen as a sign that Trump is further distancing the U.S. from Ukraine’s defense, even as Russian forces continue their offensive.
Zelenskyy, who has fought tirelessly to secure international support for Ukraine, remained firm. “We appreciate every bit of help, but we need security, not insults,” he later said in an interview.
Foreign policy experts and lawmakers from both parties condemned Trump’s actions. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) slammed the president’s behavior as “a gift to Putin,” while former Republican officials expressed concern that Trump’s hostility toward Ukraine would embolden the Kremlin.
Trump’s refusal to back Ukraine militarily, coupled with his repeated praise for Vladimir Putin, has left many allies deeply unsettled. “This isn’t just a diplomatic failure,” one senior official told The Washington Post. “It’s an outright betrayal of a key U.S. ally in favor of Russian interests.”
With the rare-earth minerals deal now in tatters and tensions at an all-time high, experts warn that Trump’s erratic and vindictive approach to foreign policy could leave Ukraine more vulnerable than ever — and send a dangerous message to America’s adversaries.
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