A high-stakes meeting at the White House between President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky took an unexpected turn, ending in a tense confrontation.
Now, Secretary of State Marco Rubio is calling on Zelensky to apologize for how things unfolded.
The hour-long discussion, meant to address Ukraine’s security concerns, quickly turned into a heated debate. The tension escalated when Vance described Trump’s talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin as “diplomacy.” Zelensky, who has been left out of these discussions, questioned the nature of that diplomacy, pointing out that Putin has ignored past ceasefire agreements.
“What kind of diplomacy, JD, are you speaking about?” Zelensky asked, pushing for clarity. Vance responded by calling the Ukrainian leader “disrespectful” for raising concerns in front of the media.
Hours later, Rubio, who was in the room, told CNN that Zelensky should take responsibility for how the meeting spiraled. He claimed Zelensky had been too aggressive and suggested that his approach made it seem like he wasn’t actually interested in a peace deal.
“When you start talking like that—and the president is a dealmaker, he’s made deals his entire life—you’re not going to get people to the table,” Rubio said. “Maybe Zelensky doesn’t really want peace. He says he does, but maybe he doesn’t.”
Zelensky, however, defended his stance in an interview with Fox News, saying his relationship with Trump isn’t beyond repair. He emphasized the deep ties between the U.S. and Ukraine, suggesting the tension wouldn’t erase years of cooperation.
Despite the fiery exchange, Rubio maintained that the U.S. must explore whether a peace deal is possible. While he has previously called Putin a “war criminal” and a “butcher,” he now says his job is to help bring an end to the war. “The State Department doesn’t fight wars, it ends them,” Rubio said.
The clash between Zelensky and U.S. officials highlights the growing complexities in America’s approach to Ukraine and its ongoing conflict with Russia. As Trump pursues negotiations with Putin, the question remains whether Ukraine will have a seat at the table—or if tensions like this will continue.