Officials inside the Trump White House have blamed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for the heated exchange in the Oval Office on Friday, expressing frustration that he pressed for security guarantees despite prior warnings that those discussions would take place later, The Guardian reported.
According to sources cited by the publication, U.S. officials had informed their Ukrainian counterparts ahead of the meeting that Trump’s immediate focus was securing an economic partnership agreement at a ministerial level. The security aspect, they had indicated, would be addressed in subsequent discussions.
Trump viewed the minerals deal as a crucial first step in broader economic cooperation, believing it signaled an implicit U.S. commitment to Ukraine’s stability by tying American interests to the country’s economic well-being. His aides also expected Zelenskyy to adopt a conciliatory tone, particularly after senators had advised him to praise Trump and avoid pressing for stronger security assurances during their discussions.
However, tensions flared when Zelenskyy expressed doubts about Senator J.D. Vance’s stance on negotiating peace with Russia. The Ukrainian leader also reiterated Ukraine’s history of Russian aggression since the annexation of Crimea in 2014—remarks that appeared to irk Vance.
The Guardian reported that Vance pushed back forcefully, telling Zelenskyy, “I’m talking about the kind of diplomacy that’s going to end the destruction of your country.” His sharp criticism, which reportedly went beyond what might be expected even in an exchange with an adversary, reflected the personal skepticism that he and his team harbor about continued U.S. support for Ukraine.
Thursday’s discussions, which initially centered on finalizing the minerals deal, had appeared to signal a thaw. Trump had even sought to downplay his recent comment referring to Zelenskyy as a “dictator.” When asked about it, he responded with a touch of humor, saying, “Did I say that? I can’t believe I said that. Next question.”
Yet, according to The Guardian, the remark had not been off the cuff. Trump had reportedly workshopped the term “dictator” with Vance before posting it on Truth Social. Vance had settled on the characterization due to Zelenskyy’s decision to suspend elections—though, as the report pointed out, Ukraine’s constitution prohibits elections during martial law, which has been in effect since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
Unlike other U.S. allies, such as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, who warmly praised Trump during their visits, Zelenskyy’s more assertive approach appeared to clash with the skepticism harbored by some within Trump’s team—ultimately setting the stage for Friday’s confrontational exchange.
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