**Trump and Zelensky Clash Over Ukraine War**
US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had a heated exchange on Friday at the White House. They were discussing ways to end the war in Ukraine.
**Tensions Rise**
Zelensky was frustrated with the tone of comments from Trump and his Vice-President JD Vance. He said there could be “no compromise” with Russia’s Vladimir Putin. But Trump accused Zelensky of being “disrespectful” and “gambling with World War Three”.
**History of Tensions**
This was not the first time the two leaders had disagreements. In 2019, Trump congratulated Zelensky on his election as president of Ukraine. However, tensions rose when allegations surfaced that Joe Biden had lobbied Ukraine to dismiss its top prosecutor.
**War in Ukraine Begins**
In February 2022, Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Trump described the invasion as “appalling” and claimed it would not have happened if he had been elected in 2020.
**US Election Campaign Heats Up**
As the US election campaign intensified, Zelensky expressed doubts about Trump’s commitment to ending the war. In February 2025, Zelensky told a forum that he wasn’t offended by Trump calling him a “dictator”.
**In-Person Meeting Turns Fiery**
On Friday, Zelensky arrived in Washington for an in-person meeting with Trump. The meeting quickly turned tense as Trump accused Zelensky of being “disrespectful” to the US.
**Clash Over Ukraine War**
Zelensky said that if the US wants peace in Ukraine, it should be willing to make concessions. But Trump insisted that he wanted peace and was not interested in giving Ukraine an advantage in negotiations.
**Meeting Ends with Tensions High**
The meeting ended with both leaders still at odds over how to end the war in Ukraine. The situation remains tense as the US and Ukrainian presidents continue to disagree on the best course of action.