The much-anticipated meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Friday took a dramatic turn as tensions erupted in front of the world’s media, revealing deep divisions over Ukraine’s war with Russia.

The two leaders, meeting in the Oval Office, were expected to finalize a U.S.-Ukraine agreement on mineral resource development. Instead, the conversation quickly devolved into a public spat, with Zelenskiy pushing back against Trump’s softer stance toward Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Zelenskiy, who has been pushing for continued Western military and economic aid, challenged Trump’s position on the ongoing war, warning him against making concessions to Putin.

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“Make no compromises with a killer,” Zelenskiy urged, highlighting his deep mistrust of any peace overtures from the Kremlin.

Trump, however, downplayed the severity of the war’s toll on Ukraine, contradicting Zelenskiy’s depiction of widespread devastation.

“You are gambling with World War Three,” Trump warned, emphasizing his belief that negotiations were the only path forward.

Trump also accused Zelenskiy of failing to show gratitude for past U.S. support, adding, “You’re either going to make a deal, or we’re out, and if we’re out, you’ll fight it out. I don’t think it’s going to be pretty.”

Trump insisted that Putin was willing to negotiate an end to the war and pressed Zelenskiy to engage diplomatically rather than continue fighting.

“You don’t have the cards,” Trump told the Ukrainian leader. “Once we sign that deal, you’re in a much better position. But you’re not acting at all thankful, and that’s not a nice thing. I’ll be honest. That’s not a nice thing.”

Shortly after their confrontation, Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to double down on his criticism of Zelenskiy.

“I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for Peace if America is involved,” Trump wrote, using an alternative spelling of the Ukrainian leader’s name. “He can come back when he is ready for Peace.”

Following the contentious meeting, Zelenskiy departed the White House earlier than expected, leaving the proposed agreement on U.S. involvement in Ukraine’s mineral sector unsigned.

The fallout from their clash raises fresh concerns about the future of U.S. aid to Ukraine and the broader Western strategy against Russia.

While European leaders have been urging Trump to maintain security commitments to Ukraine, the heated exchange suggests that Kyiv can no longer count on unconditional U.S. backing.