Zelensky Tries to Spin His White House Debacle—But the Video Says It All [WATCH]

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky defended his tense exchange with President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance during their White House meeting on Friday but expressed confidence that the U.S.-Ukraine relationship remains strong.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Fox News’ Bret Baier on Special Report, Zelensky insisted that the dispute, which erupted into a heated confrontation, would not permanently damage ties between the two nations.

The high-stakes meeting between Zelensky and Trump, intended to discuss the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia, quickly escalated into an argument.

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Trump had recently stated that a peace negotiation was nearing its final stages, but Zelensky questioned aspects of the process, leading to a public back-and-forth.

When Baier asked Zelensky if his relationship with Trump could be repaired, the Ukrainian president responded:

“Yes, of course, because it’s relations more than two presidents. It’s the historical relations, strong relations between our people, and that’s why I always began… to thank your people from our people,” Zelensky said.

“Of course, thankful to the president, and, of course, to Congress, but first of all, to your people. Your people helped save our people… we wanted very much to have all these strong relations, and where it counted, we will have it.”

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Though he did not apologize for the confrontation, Zelensky maintained that his remarks were not intended to offend.

“I just want to be honest, and I just want our partners to understand the situation correctly, and I want to understand everything correctly. That’s about us not to lose our friendship,” he added.

Zelensky’s full 22 minute interview on Bret Baier.

He doesn’t apologize to Trump or the American people once, mentions Putin and Russia a hundred times and talks about all the destruction that he refuses to end. pic.twitter.com/WabKZQLMHS

— johnny maga (@_johnnymaga) February 28, 2025

During the meeting, Vice President JD Vance emphasized that the path to peace required diplomatic efforts rather than continued conflict.

Zelensky responded by referencing Russia’s military actions since 2014 and past diplomatic attempts.

“Mr. President, with respect, I think it’s disrespectful for you to come into the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the American media,” Vance told Zelensky.

“Right now, you guys are going around and forcing conscripts to the front lines because you have manpower problems. You should be thanking the president for trying to bring an end to this conflict.”

Zelensky countered, saying that war creates challenges for all involved.

“Everybody has problems, even you,” he said, adding that the United States would feel the war’s impact in the future.

Trump quickly pushed back.

“You don’t know that,” Trump replied. “Don’t tell us what we’re going to feel. We’re trying to solve a problem. Don’t tell us what we’re going to feel.”

The president then accused Zelensky of taking unnecessary risks in negotiations.

“You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people. You’re gambling with World War III. You’re gambling with World War III, and what you’re doing is very disrespectful to the country — this country — that’s backed you far more than a lot of people said they should have.”

At one point, Vance directly questioned Zelensky’s attitude during the meeting.

“Have you said thank you once this entire meeting?” Vance asked.

As the discussion continued, Trump criticized Zelensky’s tone and lack of appreciation for U.S. support.

“The problem is I’ve empowered you to be a tough guy, and I don’t think you’d be a tough guy without the United States,” Trump said.

“And your people are very brave, but 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, but you’ll fight it out, but you don’t have the cards. But 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.”

If you watch the full Trump-Zelensky press conference, it is very clear that Zelensky, not Trump or Vance, became the antagonist. Both POTUS and VP were very respectful and cordial until Zelensky very publicly ignited a firestorm.

It all starts at 40:30

1) Zelensky essentially… pic.twitter.com/xrM4cWSPny

— Jordan Schachtel (@JordanSchachtel) February 28, 2025

Zelensky later reflected on what triggered the Oval Office clash, stating that he did not believe Ukraine had done anything wrong but acknowledged that the argument was “bad for both sides.”

“When they, for example, say that Ukraine is almost destroyed, that our soldiers run away, that they are not heroes, that Ukraine lost millions of civilians, that his president is dictator. What is the reaction? It’s not about me. The reaction is that, where is our friendship between Ukraine and the United States?” Zelensky said.

Beyond the diplomatic dispute, Trump’s meeting with Zelensky was also set to include discussions about a minerals agreement that would have given the U.S. access to Ukraine’s resources in exchange for continued American support.

The deal was meant to be part of the broader peace negotiations.

However, following the heated exchange, the minerals agreement was taken off the table.

A White House official confirmed to Fox News Digital that the planned press conference following the meeting was also canceled.

Zelensky, when asked if he believed the confrontation had been pre-planned, said he was unsure but described it as a “really tough situation.”

“We’ve been very open, very direct,” he said.

With the U.S. taking a new approach toward Ukraine under Trump’s leadership, the future of American aid remains uncertain.

The fallout from the White House meeting signals a potential shift in how the administration will handle the ongoing war, with Trump making it clear that Ukraine must come to the table ready to negotiate a resolution.

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