Ukrainian President Vlodomyr Zelenskyy set out from the White House ahead of schedule following a fierce exchange between President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, followed by a fierce exchange with US leaders who show the door to Zelenskyy and a culmination of JD Vance.
Zelensky was seen jumping on his SUV outside the White House Friday afternoon after entering a fierce exchange between the president and vice president at a meeting aimed at bringing Ukraine closer to an end to a long-standing war with Russia.
The Ukrainian president traveled to the United States on Friday to meet with Trump at the White House just hours after Trump celebrated the final stages of peace negotiations to end the war between Ukraine and Russia.
As part of the peace deal, the Trump administration has been working to inked an agreement with Ukraine that will allow the United States to grant access to Ukrainian minerals in exchange for assistance since the outbreak of war in 2022.
Tune: Brett Byer interviews Zelensky in “Special Report,” Fox News at 6pm
Ukrainian President Voldimir Zelensky, left, President Donald Trump will meet Friday at the White House oval office in Washington, DC. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)
Zelenskyy was scheduled to speak in front of the DC-based think tank Hudson Institute late Friday afternoon, but the event coordinator reportedly announced that the speech had been cancelled.
He will still be joining Fox News’ Bret Baier to give an exclusive interview about the “special report” at 6pm.
Trump, Vance and Zelensky’s spur against the Russian war in a tense exchange: “Very unorthodox”
The White House meeting was tense in the final 10 minutes after Vance said peace would reach between Russia and Ukraine through US diplomatic efforts.
“I think it would be rude to see the President in his respect and come to the oval office to try and litigate this in front of the American media,” Vance told Zelensky. “Right now, you’re forced to draft military forces to the frontline because you’re in charge of recruiting them. We should be grateful to bring it to the President and bring it to this country.”
“Have you ever been to Ukraine to say the problems we have?” Zelenskyy shot back.
Ukrainian President Voldy Mee Zelensky will leave the White House in Washington, D.C. on Friday. (Getty Images)
“I’ve actually seen the stories and I know what happens brings people around. You bring them on a propaganda tour,” Vance continued. “President, do you agree that there is a problem with bringing people into your army? And do you think you’re respectful to come to the elliptical offices of the United States and attack an administration that is trying to prevent the destruction of your country?”
Zelenskyy continues, “Everyone has problems even you,” and the United States will feel war “in the future.”
Trump says that the trade in rare earth minerals in Ukraine will lead to a “sustainable” future between us, Ukraine
“Don’t tell us what we’re trying to feel,” Trump shot Zelensky.
“You live and gamble millions of people,” President Donald Trump said at one point in exchange for Ukrainian President Voldymir Zelensky. “You’re gambling with World War II” (via Jim Watson, Tetiana dzhafarova/AFP Getty Images)
“You’re living and gambling for millions of people,” Trump added at another point during the exchange. “You’re gambling with World War II. You’re gambling with World War II. And what you’re doing is very rude to this country, to this country.”
Vance was inserted and asked Zelensky, “This whole meeting once said thank you.”
“You went to Pennsylvania and campaigned for the opposition in October. I would like to offer you a thank you to the president who is trying to save the United States and your country,” Vance said.
Even as we try to end the war in Ukraine, the war of Trump and Zelensky’s words gets hot
“The problem is that I have strengthened you to be a tough guy and I don’t think you’ll be a tough guy without the US,” Trump said before the meeting ended. “And your people are very brave. But you’re going to make a deal or we’re going out. And if we’re going out, you’ll fight it. I don’t think it’ll be pretty, but you’ll fight it. But you won’t sign that deal.
President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance will meet with Ukrainian President Voldymir Zelensky at the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC on Friday. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Trump posted to his social account of truth shortly after the meeting. Zelensky “is not ready for peace.”
“We held a very meaningful meeting at the White House today,” Trump wrote. “I learned a lot that I would never understand without a conversation under such fire and pressure.”
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“It’s amazing that it comes through emotions, and President Zelensky has decided that if America is involved he is not ready for peace because he feels our involvement will bring him a great advantage in negotiations,” he wrote. “I don’t want any advantage, I want peace. He downplayed the United States in his precious oval office. He can come back when he is ready for peace.”
Zelenskyy posted his own social media post Friday afternoon and thanked US officials for their support.
“Thank you to America, thank you for your support, thank you for this visit,” he posted on X.
Diana Stancy of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.
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