There was a fiery standoff in the Oval Office on Friday when former US President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy engaged in a fiery exchange over Ukraine’s war tactics and US assistance.
The war of words began when Vance accused Zelenskyy of organizing “propaganda tours,” blaming him for addressing the US media about the military woes of Ukraine. “I think that it’s a little bit disrespectful for you to come to the Oval Office and try to litigate this with the American media,” Vance said. He went on to say that Ukraine was forcing conscripts to the frontline and requested Zelenskyy to be grateful to the US administration.
WATCH: New video of the extremely heated back and forth in the Oval Office between Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and JD Vance.
— AZ Intel (@AZ_Intel_) February 28, 2025
Zelenskyy responded by asking, “Have you ever visited Ukraine?” Vance responded, repeating that he believed Zelenskyy’s public outings were for political reasons. He also alleged that the president of Ukraine had campaigned against Trump in Pennsylvania in October. “Say something nice about the United States and the president who is trying to save your country,” Vance demanded.
Tensions were more heated when Zelenskyy added, “Everybody has problems, even you, but you have a nice ocean and don’t feel it now but you will feel it in the future.”
🚨JD Vance just lit up Zelensky in the Oval Office
JD speaks for all of us who are sick of funding this corrupt dictator
— DC_Draino (@DC_Draino) February 28, 2025
Trump, jumping in, rebuked Zelenskyy’s remarks. “Don’t tell us what we’re going to feel,” he said. “You’re playing with World War III. It’s going to be very difficult to do business like this. You’ve got to be more grateful.”
Zelenskyy’s trip to the White House was to finalize an agreement on Ukraine’s mineral resources and discuss a possible peace deal with Russia. Despite Trump’s recent efforts at softening his stance against Zelenskyy, Friday’s meeting revealed underlying tensions between the leaders.
