Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has pushed back against demands for an apology after his heated exchange with U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance in the White House.
Despite the confrontation, he insisted that relations between Kyiv and Washington could still be repaired.
The Oval Office meeting, originally intended to finalize a key minerals deal, fell apart when Vance accused Zelensky of being “disrespectful” toward the U.S. Trump echoed the criticism, warning that Ukraine was “gambling with World War Three.”
Speaking to Fox News, Zelensky dismissed the accusations, saying, “I’m not sure we did something bad. I think maybe some things we have to discuss out of media.” His comments suggest he believes the dispute could have been handled more diplomatically behind closed doors.
The meeting ended without an agreement on the minerals deal, which was expected to secure crucial resources for Ukraine. A senior White House official later stated that Trump had no interest in reviving the agreement.
As news of the clash spread, European leaders quickly rallied behind Zelensky. British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer reaffirmed his “unwavering support” for Ukraine, saying he had spoken to both Zelensky and Trump following the incident. Ukrainian military officials also expressed solidarity, declaring, “Our strength is in unity. We continue to destroy the occupier, bringing victory closer.”
Zelensky responded to the outpouring of support by sharing nearly three dozen messages from world leaders within hours of the White House confrontation. While he typically issues detailed statements, this time he let the international backing speak for itself.
Despite the fallout, Zelensky remains committed to securing security guarantees for Ukraine. The tense exchange underscores the widening gap between Ukraine’s leadership and the Trump administration, raising questions about future U.S. involvement in the conflict with Russia.