Trump-Zelensky spat at the Oval: The growing rift in the trans-Atlantic partnership

Last week, US President Donald Trump called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky "a dictator without elections" in a social media post, referring to Ukraine's decision to cancel its 2024 election amid the ongoing war since 2022.

However, Trump quickly backtracked, softening his tone on Thursday before meeting Zelensky at the White House. When a reporter asked him about the remark, he responded with mock surprise, saying, "Did I say that? I can't believe I said that."

But by Friday, things took a sharp turn. In an unprecedented heated exchange, Zelensky clashed with Trump and US Vice President JD Vance. Both US leaders reprimanded the Ukrainian president, questioning what they saw as his "attitude."

Trump accused Zelensky of harbouring deep hatred toward Russian President Vladimir Putin, claiming it made it difficult for him (Trump) to negotiate a peace deal.

Meanwhile, JD Vance took a different approach, criticising Zelensky for being "disrespectful" and accusing him of attacking a US administration that, in his words, had been working to prevent Ukraine's destruction. Vance also reminded Zelensky to be grateful for the support the US has provided. 

The dressing down of Zelensky happened right in front of global media, and even a US conservative reporter joined it. The reporter, Brian Glenn – the Chief White House Correspondent for Real America's Voice, a right-wing network, asked Zelensky why he didn't wear a suit and accused him of not respecting the dignity of the office (of the US president) by not wearing a suit. 

The reporter went on asking if Zelensky owned a suit. Zelensky, of course, said that he would wear 'a costume' once the war in his country was over. "Maybe something like yours, maybe something better… Maybe something cheaper," he added.

A spat also broke out when Zelensky was trying to respond to Vance challenging him over problems he's had with the Ukrainian military and conscription. Zelensky replied, "During the war, everybody has problems, even you. But you have a nice ocean and don't feel it now, but you will feel it in the future."

Donald Trump couldn't hold back and cut Zelensky off, telling him he had no right to dictate how the US would feel in the future. He then added that the country would feel "very good and very strong."

At one point, when Zelensky mentioned that Ukraine had been alone but remained grateful, Trump was quick to correct him. "You haven't been alone. We gave you—through this stupid president (Joe Biden)—$350 billion," he fired back.

But he didn't stop there. Raising his voice, Trump accused Zelensky of recklessness, saying, "You're gambling with the lives of millions of people. You're gambling with World War 3, and what you're doing is very disrespectful to this country."

As a consequence of the heated exchange, the mineral deal, which was almost a 'done deal,' was not signed between the two countries, and the two leaders did not have the scheduled press briefing together. 

Later, Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social, "We had a very meaningful meeting in the White House today. Much was learned that could never be understood without conversation under such fire and pressure. It's amazing what comes out through emotion, and I have determined that President Zelensky is not ready for peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations." 

"I don't want an advantage, I want peace. He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for peace," he added.

Zelensky, on the other hand, thanked America and tweeted yesterday, "Thank you America, thank you for your support, thank you for this visit. Thank you @POTUS, Congress, and the American people. Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for that."

"What happened in the Oval Office last night starkly illustrated the world we've all experienced for the last 80 years has changed"

Douglas Alexander, British politician and trade minister

Western leaders lined up to show solidarity with Ukrainian President Zelensky after the confrontation, which Zelensky has been retweeting since Friday.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote on X in Ukrainian language: "Your dignity honours the bravery of the Ukrainian people. Be strong, be brave, be fearless." 

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wrote on X that Canada will continue to stand with Ukrainians in achieving a just and lasting peace. "Russia illegally and unjustifiably invaded Ukraine. For three years now, Ukrainians have fought with courage and resilience. Their fight for democracy, freedom, and sovereignty is a fight that matters to us all," he wrote.

The EU foreign secretary, Kaja Kallas, went as far as saying, "The free world needs a new leader."

Friedrich Merz, who is expected to be Germany's next chancellor, wrote on X, "We stand with Ukraine in good and in testing times. We must never confuse aggressor and victim in this terrible war."

Germany's outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz said, "Ukraine can rely on Germany and Europe. No one wants peace more than the citizens of Ukraine! That is why we are jointly seeking the path to a lasting and just peace."

Scholz's post reflects on the growing rift between the US and EU, two long-standing allies. 

In mid-February, US Vice President JD Vance lambasted European politicians at the Munich Security Conference in Germany, claiming they were suppressing free speech, losing control of immigration and refusing to work with hard-right parties in government. 

He told them that the biggest threat to their security was "from within," rather than China and Russia.

While the audience at the conference was expecting to hear about the Trump administration's plans to end the war in Ukraine, they instead took a rebuke for "ignoring the will of their people, overturning elections, ignoring religious freedoms and not acting to halt illegal migration." 

Notably, he did not criticise countries like Russia and Belarus, which have been ruled by the same leaders for decades.

And just last week, Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron displayed stark differences in their approach to Ukraine, further exposing the divide between the United States and Europe over the Ukraine-Russia War.

As the situation develops, the discord between the US and Europe over support for Ukraine may deepen, impacting the collective Western response to the ongoing war.

Jeremy Bowen, International editor of BBC News has written that the confrontation signals a major crisis looming between European members of Nato and the US.

"There will be many more doubts and questions about the US commitment to European security outside Ukraine. The biggest is whether President Trump would keep the promise his predecessor Harry Truman made in 1949 to treat an attack on a Nato ally as an attack on America," he wrote.

Others are suggesting that the strained US-Ukraine relations could embolden Russia, further complicating efforts to resolve the conflict. 

Douglas Alexander, British politician and trade minister, said, what happened in the Oval Office last night starkly illustrated "the world we've all experienced for the last 80 years has changed".

Latest, the Trump administration is considering ending all ongoing shipments of military aid to Ukraine, The Washington Post wrote citing sources. This will leave Ukraine to fight on with only the help of a struggling Europe.