Zelensky, Trump and Vance argue in the Oval Office. Photo: Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty

The main event of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to the White House was supposed to be the signing of a minerals deal, but it quickly devolved into a heated argument with President Trump and Vice President Vance.

The latest: After an explosive Oval Office meeting in front of the press, Trump released a statement saying that he had determined Zelensky is “not ready for Peace if America is involved.” The joint press conference between the two leaders was canceled.

• “He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for Peace,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
• Zelensky departed the White House about two and a half hours after he arrived, and the minerals deal was not signed.

Driving the news: The Trump-Zelensky meeting in the Oval Office started with statements from both leaders and then questions from the press.

• After around 40 minutes, a reporter asked Trump why he engaged with Russian President Vladimir Putin and distanced himself from Ukraine.
• Trump replied that if he didn’t show a balanced approach, he wouldn’t be able to get a deal. “You want me to say really terrible things about Putin and then say, ‘hi, Vladimir. How are we doing on the deal?’ It doesn’t work that way,” Trump said.
• Trump then said Zelensky has “tremendous hatred” towards Putin and “it is very tough for me to make a deal with that kind of hate.” He added: “I understand that, but I can tell you the other side isn’t exactly in love with him, either.” As Trump was speaking, Zelensky moved in his chair and looked more and more upset.
• Vance weighed in and said the way to end the war is through diplomacy. Zelensky then spoke directly to Vance, recounting the events since Russia’s initial invasion in 2014 and all the failed diplomacy and Russian violations since then. “What kind of diplomacy, JD, are you talking about?” Zelensky asked.

At that point, the meeting devolved into a shouting match, with Vance accusing Zelensky of disrespect and of misleading visitors by taking them on “propaganda tours,” and Zelensky noting Vance had never visited Ukraine.

• Zelensky then said that every country at war had problems and the U.S. would likely feel that some day too.
• Trump cut in and said Zelensky was “in no position to dictate what we’re going to feel.”
• “You’re not in a good position … you’re gambling with the lives of millions of people, you’re gambling with World War III … and what you’re doing is very disrespectful to the country, this country, that’s backed you,” Trump said, as Zelensky crossed his arms and tried to interject.

State of play: The visit comes as the Trump administration pushes for a ceasefire in the war between Ukraine and Russia, to be followed by peace negotiations.

• Zelensky said at the top of the meeting that the U.S. was “on our side” from the beginning of the war “and I think that Trump is on our side.”
• He said he is sure U.S. assistance to Ukraine will continue, adding: “This is crucial for us.”
• But he drew Trump’s ire by objecting to the ceasefire plan, saying Putin had repeatedly broken ceasefires in the past.

Between the lines: Trump denounced Zelensky as an unpopular “dictator” earlier this month and falsely blamed him for starting the war. He had softened his tone significantly ahead of the meeting before today’s blow-up.

What to watch: The signing of the minerals deal did not take place, and its status is unclear. Trump said at the top of the meeting with Zelensky that the deal was “fair” and it “a big commitment by the U.S.”

• “The problem is, I’ve empowered you to be a tough guy, and I don’t think he’d be a tough guy without the United States,” Trump warned Zelensky. “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.”
• The U.S. wants to use the minerals “for all of the things we do, including AI and including weapons and the military,” Trump said.

Zoom in: The minerals deal is a framework agreement that lays out general details about the economic partnership the U.S. and Ukraine are establishing.

• The agreement says Ukraine and the U.S. will now negotiate more detailed arrangements for the joint fund.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated with additional details.