In a dramatic Oval Office encounter, U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky engaged in a heated dispute over the direction of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and a proposed minerals deal. The meeting, intended to solidify an agreement granting the U.S. access to Ukraine's vast rare earth mineral reserves, quickly escalated into a confrontation over peace negotiations with Russia.

President Trump pressed Zelensky to negotiate directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin, suggesting that a swift peace deal was essential. He emphasized the necessity of compromise, stating, "Make a deal or we are out," implying potential withdrawal of U.S. support if Ukraine did not engage in talks. Zelensky, however, stood firm, citing Russia's previous aggressions and broken agreements as reasons for his reluctance to negotiate without concrete security guarantees.

The tension peaked when Trump accused Zelensky of ingratitude for U.S. military aid, leading to a shouting match that culminated in the abrupt termination of the meeting and the cancellation of a planned joint press conference. This confrontation has cast uncertainty over the minerals deal and strained U.S.-Ukraine relations, potentially altering the geopolitical landscape and the future of Western alliances.