Ukraine's mineral deal dead as Trump shows Zelenskyy the door after shout-out

A billion-dollar meeting on a minerals-for-arms deal between US president Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskyy at the White House’s Oval Office on Friday ended in acrimony and an abrupt dismissal of the meeting after the two leaders erupted in a shouting spree.

Zelenskyy and his delegates were asked to leave after the meeting turned into a confrontation amidst sharp accusations and a shouting spree that forced an end to a potential billion-dollar deal.

Zelenskyy and his delegates reached the White House on Friday hoping to secure an agreement offering the United States right to jointly exploit Ukraine’s huge deposits of rare minerals against US backing for its war with Russia. Instead, Zelenskyy got scathing criticism from US President Donald Trump and Vice President J Vance for not wanting to end the war but to escalate it further into an all-out war that would ignite a greater war involving most of Europe and, perhaps, a global war.

Trump accused the Ukrainian leader of “gambling with World War 3.” He refused to hear the Ukrainian leader explain his case and instead showered criticism on him of not wanting peace, branding the Ukrainian leader “disrespectful.” 

The meeting ended abruptly without even the talk of a deal and Zelenskyy’s delegation was asked to leave the White House without any diplomatic formality. 

The meeting turned violent when Trump was questioned about his soft stance towards Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump, who is a known critique of Zelenskyy, whom he had called a “dictator,” however, said he was not siding anyone, but aligning with “both of them” for the sake of peace.

Vance also echoed Trump’s views saying it is time to end former President Joe Biden’s confrontational approach that only helped to fuel the conflict. 

Zelenskyy defended his stance saying Putin has a history of violating ceasefire agreements and that diplomacy won’t work.

Vance shot back stating that confrontation won’t save his country from destruction and diplomacy is the only solution left to him. He also gave a dressing down to Zelenskyy for going to press at the Oval office with accusations against the US President and his administration.

Trump later said in a post on his Truth Social platform that Zelenskyy does not want America involved in any peace negotiations.

Global leaders reacted to the show-down with some putting their weight behind Zelenskyy and others hailing Trump.

UK and the European Union lend support to Zelenskyy, who flew to London.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron are orchestrating European support to Zelenskyy, calling for a “once in a generation moment” for ending “Russia’s war in Ukraine and for ensuring the security of Europe.

Starmer sought US support for getting the desired outcome for Ukraine, even as he pledged $2 billion in export financing to supply 5,000 air defence missiles for Ukraine.

French President Emmanuel Macron, who is in Portugal, emphasised continued Western support for Ukraine, calling Russia as the aggressor.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store called for continued US and European support to Ukraine.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk also offered solidarity with Zelenskyy and Ukrainian friends.

"Be strong, be brave, be fearless. You are never alone, dear President Zelenskyy," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said ina message.

In a post on Telegram, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev called Zelensky “cocaine clown” who saw reality for the first time and that Zelensky got it on his face from US President Donald Trump.