Diplomacy is often a careful dance, but President Trump’s tense exchange with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made it clear—this was a confrontation, not a negotiation. In a globally broadcast Oval Office meeting, Trump and Vice President JD Vance pressed Zelenskyy on gratitude and ceasefire talks, while Zelenskyy pushed back, questioning what diplomacy with Russia really means. The clash, raw and unscripted, raises new uncertainties about America’s role in Ukraine’s defense. As support hangs in the balance, the stakes—for Ukraine and beyond—couldn’t be higher.
The article linked below from the Associated Press provides the unvarnished transcript of the exchange.
