On January 29, President Zelensky of Ukraine made an official visit to the White House and, due to an argument that was broadcast on live TV, he was then kicked out. The original purpose of his visit was to guarantee continued U.S. support in the war against Russia by selling mineral rights in Ukraine.
The conversation was contentious, with Trump, in the week leading up to the talk, saying that Putin was a “good friend.” The first 40 minutes or so of the meeting went relatively smoothly. Still, when the issue of ending the war came up, Vice President JD Vance interjected, saying, “The path to peace and the path to prosperity is maybe engaging in diplomacy.”
This remark was directed at Zelensky. Zelensky responded rather incredulously with a list of previous cease-fires and agreements that Russia had broken. Then, he asked with what some would consider an accusatory tone, what sort of diplomacy Vance thought would work when many previous attempts had failed.
Vance then said that Zelensky should not try to argue about how Trump was trying to bring about peace while in the American White House. When Zelensky tried to respond, Trump bellowed over him, saying, “You don’t have the cards right now.”
This signaled the end of this meeting, with both leaders trying to talk over one another and neither listening to the other. This result was surprising to the public as foreign leaders being kicked out of the White House is unprecedented in our time.
President Zelensky has attempted to repair relations, saying he regretted how the meeting fell apart. The White House has suggested that he issue a public apology. He has said that he does not believe that he owes Trump an apology.