In his first major interview since his heated White House confrontation with Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky refused to apologize, instead calling for Trump to be “more on our side” in the ongoing war with Russia.
The Oval Office meeting, which was meant to discuss security guarantees and possible peace negotiations, quickly turned into a war of words when Trump took offense at Zelensky’s treatment of Vance in front of the cameras. The tense exchange played out live, shocking viewers and overshadowing diplomatic talks.
“I’m Not Sure We Did Something Bad”
Speaking to Fox News, Zelensky was directly asked if he owed Trump an apology. Twice, he dodged the question before firmly refusing.
“I’m not sure we did something bad,” he said. “We’re thankful to Americans for all your support. You helped us survive. We are strategic partners.”
However, when pressed again, Zelensky stood his ground, emphasizing Ukraine’s dire situation and the need for strong allies.
“We have to be honest and direct with each other. No one wants to end this war more than we do because we are the ones fighting for our lives,” he stated.
“Trump Needs to Pick a Side”
The Ukrainian leader also made it clear that he expects Trump to take a stronger stance against Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“I want President Trump to be more on our side,” he said. “He said he will stop the war, and I hope he will. We need to pressure him along with Europe.”
Zelensky even invoked former U.S. President Ronald Reagan, saying, “Peace is not just the absence of war. We are speaking of a just, lasting peace.”
Clash Over Security Guarantees
One of the major points of contention during the White House meeting was a proposed deal on rare earth minerals, which Zelensky called the “first step toward security guarantees.” Trump, however, downplayed its significance and accused Zelensky of being unwilling to compromise.
Zelensky pushed back, showing images of war atrocities and firmly rejecting any “compromises with a killer on our territory.”
“They Respect Me”
Trump, growing visibly frustrated, insisted that his leadership commanded more respect from Putin than past administrations.
“Biden? They didn’t respect him. They didn’t respect Obama. They respect me,” Trump declared. “Putin went through a hell of a lot with me. He dealt with a phony witch hunt—Russia, Russia, Russia. You ever hear that? That was a phony scam!”
A Heated Exchange with JD Vance
Vice President JD Vance also clashed with Zelensky, accusing him of being “disrespectful” and failing to show gratitude for the billions in U.S. aid.
“Have you said thank you once?” Vance challenged.
“I’ve said it many times,” Zelensky responded, visibly irritated.
At one point, Vance accused Ukraine of conducting “propaganda tours” for U.S. officials instead of showing them the “real problems on the ground.” Zelensky shot back, asking whether Vance had ever personally visited Ukraine.
“Just Say Thank You”
Tensions reached a boiling point when Vance demanded more gratitude from Zelensky.
“Just say thank you,” Vance insisted.
“I’ve said it a lot of times,” Zelensky replied, frustrated.
Sources close to the White House claimed that Trump initially approached the meeting diplomatically but became defensive when Zelensky publicly criticized Vance.
“Zelensky should not have gone after JD,” a senior official stated. “Trump saw that as an attack on his vice president and responded accordingly.”
Trump’s Final Words: “This Is Going to Be Great Television”
Despite the tension, Trump appeared to relish the dramatic confrontation.
“This is going to be great television, I will say that,” he remarked at the end of the meeting.
Later, when pressed by reporters about his stance on Russia, Trump dismissed a question as “stupid.” However, he eventually circled back, asserting that “Ukraine has been ungrateful for billions in U.S. support.”
What’s Next?
Despite the fiery exchange, Zelensky insisted that U.S.-Ukraine relations remain strong and that his focus remains on securing support for his country’s defense.
“This is about more than two presidents. It’s about the bond between our people,” he said.
With tensions at an all-time high, it remains to be seen whether Trump and Zelensky can mend their relationship—or if this confrontation marks a turning point in U.S.-Ukraine relations.
