ALBAWABA- A tense White House meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday erupted into a heated confrontation, exposing deep rifts over how to end the nearly four-year war with Russia.
The closed-door session, intended to outline a path to peace, reportedly devolved into shouting as the two leaders sparred over territorial concessions and continued U.S. military aid.
According to close sources, Trump chastised Zelensky for rejecting Russian demands, warning that Ukraine risked being “destroyed” unless it surrendered the eastern Donbas region, including Donetsk and Luhansk.
Witnesses said Trump tossed aside maps of the front lines and used expletives, while Zelensky countered sharply that Ukraine would never “reward terrorists for their crimes.” Despite the clash, the Ukrainian delegation convinced Trump to support a ceasefire proposal freezing current battle lines rather than requiring further territorial losses.
At a post-meeting press conference, Trump denied pressuring Zelensky to cede land, saying he “never discussed” such terms and insisting his goal was to end what he called a “dishonorable war.”
He reaffirmed plans to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin at an upcoming Budapest summit within two weeks, where he hopes to negotiate a ceasefire, though he indicated Zelensky is unlikely to attend due to strained ties with Moscow.
Trump also rejected Zelensky’s request for long-range Tomahawk missiles, calling them a “major escalation,” but pledged continued support for air defense systems such as Patriots, possibly funded by frozen Russian assets. “We need to protect our country first,” Trump said, suggesting his approach aims to balance U.S. security priorities with a push for regional stability.
Zelensky, upon returning to Kyiv, described the talks as “constructive” despite clear disagreements. He reiterated Ukraine’s readiness to participate in Trump’s proposed peace summit if invited and renewed appeals for more Patriot systems to counter intensified Russian drone and missile attacks.
He also announced plans to convene a “coalition of the willing” among European allies to reinforce Ukraine’s defense commitments amid fears of waning U.S. support.
