Volodymyr Zelensky has refused to apologise over his extraordinary clash with US president Donald Trump and vice president JD Vance in the Oval Office but insists the relationship can be repaired.

Mr Zelensky left the White House after a meeting collapsed when JD Vance accused him of having “disrespected” the US.

Mr Trump reiterated the vice president’s claim, adding that Kyiv was “gambling with World War Three”.

Speaking to Fox News later on Friday, Mr Zelensky said: "I'm not sure we did something bad. I think maybe some things we have to discuss out of media.”

The pair were due to sign a vital minerals deal, but Mr Trump and Mr Vance lashed out after the Ukrainian president repeatedly brought up the issue of US security guarantees as part of a future peace agreement with Russia.

Mr Zelensky left with the deal unsigned. Mr Trump has no interest in reviving the minerals deal, a senior White House official said on Friday evening.

Meanwhile, European leaders flocked to the defence of Mr Zelensky after Trump and JD Vance unleashed the shocking attack during critical White House talks.

Sir Keir Starmer expressed his “unwavering support” for Ukraine and said he had spoken with both Mr Zelensky and Mr Trump over the phone.

Key Points

• Trump drops minerals deal and considers ending military aid to Ukraine

• Zelensky refuses to apologise - but says Trump relationship can be salvaged

• What started the dramatic showdown which led talks to collapse?

• Trump: Zelensky has disrespected the US

• Zelensky leaves White House as Trump talks collapse

• US vice president brands Zelensky 'disrespectful' in highly tense exchange

• Trump: We feel 'tremendous gratitude' to Zelensky and 'brave' troops

What happened in the Oval Office yesterday?

05:40 , Alex Croft

A vital deal between Ukraine and the US is in tatters after Volodymyr Zelensky was thrown out of the White House as talks with Donald Trump blew up into a bitter public row.

The US president and his deputy JD Vance angrily accused the Ukrainian leader of gambling with a third world war, claiming he was “disrespectful” and “ungrateful”.

To the shock of the world’s watching media, the Oval Office talks descended into a furious shouting match, ending with the Ukrainian president leaving without having signed a deal pivotal to securing US help in ending the war with Russia.

Mr Trump ejected Mr Zelensky, even when the Ukrainian team were said to have been begging for a “reset” in relations.

What started the dramatic showdown which led talks to collapse?

05:25 , Alex Croft

The dramatic showdown in the Oval Office began when JD Vance jumped to the defence of the White House’s approach to peace in Ukraine.

Criticising Joe Biden’s approach, Mr Vance said: “The path to peace and the path to prosperity is maybe engaging in diplomacy.”

Volodymyr Zelensky asked if he could respond. “Sure,” the US vice president replied.

Mr Zelensky then explained that Russian president Vladimir Putin does not have a history of abiding by ceasefires. “In 2019, I signed with him a deal with him... he broke the ceasefire. He killed our people and he didn’t exchange prisoners.

“What kind of diplomacy, JD, are you speaking about?” he asked, showing defensive body language with arms folded.

Mr Vance retorted that it is “for you to come to the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the American media”. Donald Trump then weighed in and the apparent goodwill developed over the last 48 hours fell to pieces.

Churchill ‘would be turning in his grave’ as Trump faces British backlash over Zelensky spray

05:10 , Alex Croft

Donald Trump is facing a furious backlash and accusations of bullying and thuggery from UK politicians after an extraordinary shouting match with Volodymyr Zelensky in the White House.

Prime minister Keir Starmer declared his “unwavering support” for Ukraine as senior Conservative MPs, including Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, leapt to the Mr Zelensky’s defence after Trump accused Kyiv of “gambling with World War Three”.

A spokesperson for the prime minister said Sir Keir had “tonight spoken to both President Trump and President Zelensky.”

Whitehall editor Kate Devlin writes:

Former US diplomat compares Trump-Zelensky meeting to 'mafia shakedown'

04:55 , Vishwam Sankaran

John Townsend, the former deputy assistant secretary of defence for Europe and Nato, called the meeting of the American and Ukrainian presidents at the White House an "embarrassing exchange".

"This looked like some kind of mafia shakedown. You better do this. You better sign this or, you know, it was just the rudeness of it," Mr Townsend said, according to ABC News.

"It was really … bad [how] the American leadership looked to the world and how ashamed we should be that our leaders act that way," he said.

Trump accuses Zelensky of disrespecting US in 'cherished Oval Office'

04:40 , Vishwam Sankaran

The US president took to his social media platform Truth Social following his heated argument with his Ukrainian counterpart yesterday, accusing Mr Zelensky of disrespecting the US.

"He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for Peace," Mr Trump said after what he called a conversation under "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," he said.

US considers cutting military aid to Ukraine – report

04:25 , Vishwam Sankaran

Plans for the US to cut all of its ongoing military aid to Ukraine are under consideration, the Washington Post reported citing senior Trump administration officials.

The decision could apply to billions of dollars worth of radar equipment, vehicles, ammunition and missiles awaiting to be sent to Ukraine via the presidential drawdown authority, according to the report.

The American president had said US rights to Ukraine’s valuable mineral resources would serve as the country's repayment for the hundreds of billions of dollars of aid offered amid the ongoing conflict with Russia.

However, White House sources reported that Mr Zelensky was ordered to leave the Oval Office following his heated exchange with Mr Trump and the mineral deal between the US and Ukraine was not signed.

Security guarantees must come before diplomacy, Zelensky tells Fox

04:10 , Alex Croft

Volodymyr Zelensky has been asked what the pathway to a deal is and how he plans to get ceasefire efforts back on track.

Security guarantees must come before diplomacy, he said.

“I think that Europe is ready to help us with financing of big army, such big as we have now, this is our army as the part of security guarantees,” he said.

“Now we want to just to find the place for our biggest strategic partner for the United States.

“When [we have the security guarantees] we will come to diplomacy.”

Ukrainians rally around Zelensky after White House spat

03:58 , Vishwam Sankaran

Following Volodymyr Zelensky's heated exchange with the US president at the Oval Office yesterday, Ukrainians on the streets of Kyiv rushed to support their president.

At the 45-minute-long meeting, Mr Trump accused the Ukrainian president of "gambling with World War III", and of being ungrateful to Washington for the military aid provided to Ukraine.

"It is not Ukraine that is gambling with World War Three – more likely we are being used in this game as a bargaining chip," a Ukrainian business consultant Oksana, who did not give a second name, told Reuters.

"I think it could have been approached in a more diplomatic way, but from the individual point of view I can understand Zelensky because the tone of the dialogue with Trump and Vance indicated it would end like this," Petro, a 20-year-old Ukrainian student said.

Ukraine's foreign minister took to X to appreciate Mr Zelensky's bravery following the tense meeting.

"President Zelensky has the bravery and strength to stand up for what is right," the foreign minister Andrii Sybiha said.

Zelensky says relationship with Trump can be salvaged

03:40 , Vishwam Sankaran

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky expressed hope that his relationship with his American counterpart can be salvaged following their heated exchange at the Oval Office on Friday.

At the meeting, Mr Trump and vice president JD Vance accused Mr Zelensky of being disrespectful for trying to litigate in front of American media.

The Ukrainian president told Fox News that his relationship with Mr Trump can still be salvaged despite the disastrous outcome of the meeting.

“Yes, of course,” he said, regarding salvaging ties between America and Ukraine.

“It’s more than two presidents. The historical relations, strong relations, between our people," Mr Zelensky said.

Zelensky says he doesn't have to apologise to Trump

03:29 , Vishwam Sankaran

The Ukrainian president told Fox News that he feels he doesn't need to apologise to US president Donald Trump following the heated exchange at the Oval Office.

Mr Trump and US vice president JD Vance accused the Ukrainian president of being "disrespectful" for trying to litigate US-Ukraine policy in front of the American media.

"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 say they should have," Mr Trump said.

Asked if he felt he needed to apologise to the US president for the heated exchange, Mr Zelensky said: “No, I respect president, and I respect American people, and I think that we have to be very open and very honest and I’m not sure that we did something bad."

“I think some things we have to discuss out of media with all respect to democracy and free media," the Ukrainian president told Fox News’ Bret Baier.

European leaders rush to back Zelensky after tense Oval office meeting

03:10 , Vishwam Sankaran

Several European leaders rushed to support Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky after his tense meeting at the Oval office with Donald Trump.

French president Emmanuel Macron pointed out that Russia is the aggressor in its war against Ukraine.

"There is an aggressor, which is Russia, and an attacked people, which is Ukraine...We must thank all those who helped, and we must respect those who have been fighting since the beginning," Mr Macron told reporters in Portugal.

German chancellor Olaf Scholz reiterated his support for Ukraine.

He posted on X that Germany is working on a "common path to a lasting and just peace".

"Ukraine can rely on Germany – and on Europe," Mr Scholz said.

The Ukrainian president was ordered to leave the White House yesterday after a heated 45-minute meeting with the US president and vice president JD Vance.

Mr Trump accused the Ukrainian president of "disrespecting" the US and not being "thankful" to America.

"He can come back when he is ready for peace," the US president posted on Truth Social.

Polish prime minister Donald Tusk offered his support to Mr Zelensky following the public spat, telling him: "You are not alone."

"Dear Volodymyr Zelensky, dear Ukrainian friends, you are not alone," Mr Tusk said.

The European Union expressed solidarity with Ukraine, calling for countries to "step up" support.

"Today, it became clear that the free world needs a new leader. It's up to us, Europeans, to take this challenge," EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said.

Zelensky on Fox: Ukrainian president declines to apologize after fight with Trump and Vance

03:00 , Alex Croft

Vance lit the fuse, and Trump exploded. Inside the historic Oval Office meltdown that could change the world

02:00 , Alex Croft

If there was any doubt that the United States had switched sides in the war between Ukraine and Russia, and in the battle between autocracy and democracy, it was shattered in front of a watching world in the Oval Office on Friday afternoon.

What should have been a routine greeting with the press at the White House descended into an explosive row between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and President Donald Trump, goaded on by JD Vance, who played the role of a sycophantic Mr Smee to Trump’s erratic Captain Hook.

The meeting began politely enough with Zelensky emphasizing the urgency of his visit, and Trump delivering his usual analysis of a war “that would never have happened if I was president.”

Not sure we can do business with Zelensky again, says senator

01:01 , Alex Croft

Republican senator Lindsey Graham, a close confidant of Donald Trump, is speaking to the press outside the White House.

He said he does not know if the US can do business with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky ever again, and called for him to either resign or change.

“What I saw in the Oval Office was disrespectful, and I don’t know if we can ever do business with Zelensky again,” he told reporters.

“I think most Americans saw a guy that they would not go into business with, the way he handled the meeting, the way he confronted the president, was just over the top.”

“Can Zelensky do a deal with the United States after what I saw? I don’t know.”

Trump was “shocked” after the exchange, Mr Graham added.

“He needs to resign and send someone over who we can do business with, or he needs to change.”

Watch: Trump comments on Zelensky row after explosive White House meeting

00:30 , Alex Croft

Trump drops minerals deal and considers ending arms support for Ukraine

Friday 28 February 2025 23:49 , Alex Croft

Donald Trump is not interested in reviving the Ukraine minerals deal, a senior White House official has said.

The deal was never signed after Mr Zelensky left the White House earlier following a spat with the president.

He is also considering ending outgoing military aid shipments to Ukraine after the argument in the White House earlier today, according to a report.

It comes after Mr Zelensky’s “perceived intransigence” during the peace process, a senior administration official told the Washington Post.

The decision would apply to billions of dollars of military equipment, the report says.

I wanted Trump to be more on our side - Zelensky

Friday 28 February 2025 23:31 , Alex Croft

Volodymyr Zelensky has told Fox News that he wanted Donald Trump to be more strongly in support of Ukraine.

He was asked by chief political anchor Bret Baier about Mr Trump’s statement that he views himself as in the middle of Russia and Ukraine, and does not support either side more.

Mr Zelensky said: “I want to be very honest. I want him to be more at our side. I will explain why: because [the war didn’t begin] between our countries.

“The war began when Russia brought this war to our country, and they are not right. They didn't respect our territorial integrity. They brought the war on our territory, to our families, to our houses.

“Of course, all the Ukrainians want to hear strong position of the United States on our side,” he added.

Security guarantees must come before diplomacy, Zelensky says

Friday 28 February 2025 23:22

Volodymyr Zelensky has been asked what the pathway to a deal is and how he plans to get ceasefire efforts back on track.

Security guarantees must come before diplomacy, he said.

“I think that Europe is ready to help us with financing of big army, such big as we have now, this is our army as the part of security guarantees,” he said.

“Now we want to just to find the place for our biggest strategic partner for the United States.

“When [we have the security guarantees] we will come to diplomacy.”

I can't change our attitude to Russian 'killers' - Zelensky

Friday 28 February 2025 23:12 , Alex Croft

Volodymyr Zelensky says he cannot change the attitude of the Ukrainian people to Russia.

Asked by Fox News whether he thought the Oval Office spat benefitted the Ukrainian people, he said: “I think this is not good for both sides anyway.

“I can't change our Ukrainian attitude to Russia. They are killers for us.”

Zelensky refuses to apologise - but says Trump relationship can be salvaged

Friday 28 February 2025 23:10 , Alex Croft

Volodymyr Zelensky has refused to apologise for the blowout argument at the White House.

Speaking to Fox News anchor Bret Baier, he said he believes his relationship with Donald Trump can be salvaged.

"I'm not sure we did something bad,” he said. “I think maybe sometimes some things we have to discuss out of out of media, with all respect to democracy and to free media.

“But there are things that where we have to understand the position of Ukraine and Ukrainians, and I think that is the most important thing,” he added.

Asked whether the relationship can be salvaged, he said: “Can be, yes. Because it's relations more than two presidents, [it’s] the historical relations, strong relations between our people.

“And that's why I thanked your people from our people. Your people help to save our people,” he concluded.

I'm very thankful to America, but we have to be direct - Zelensky

Friday 28 February 2025 23:07 , Alex Croft

Volodymyr Zelensky has started speaking on Fox News.

“I'm very thankful to to Americans for all your support. You did a lot. I'm thankful to President Trump and to Congress bipartisan support, and I was always very thankful from all our people,” he said.

“You helped us a lot from the very beginning, during three years of foodscape innovation, you helped us to survive.”

“We are strategic partners, and even in such tough dialog, and I think we have to be very honest and we have to be very direct to understand each other,” he added.

Italian PM calls for snap US-Europe summit

Friday 28 February 2025 23:00 , Angus Thompson

Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni has called for an immediate summit between the US and European leaders after White House negotiations over the Ukraine war spectacularly failed on Friday.

Meloni said in a statement she wanted leaders to be able "to speak frankly about how we intend to face today's great challenges, starting with Ukraine."

Meloni urged the West to stay united: "Every division of the West makes us all weaker and favours those who would like to see the decline of our civilization," she said.

"A division would not benefit anyone."

Friday 28 February 2025 22:49 , Angus Thompson

The Trump administration is considering ending military aid to Ukraine after a high-stakes White House meeting between the US president and Volodymyr Zelensky ended in furious argument, it has been reported.

The Washington Post reports a senior administration official said the dramatic turn of events is in response to the Ukrainian president’s remarks in the Oval Office, as Donald Trump told reporters the Ukrainian president had to say “I want to make peace” if he wanted US support.

Musk trolls Zelensky after Trump remarks he’s ‘all dressed up today’ for White House visit

Friday 28 February 2025 22:40 , Alex Croft

Donald Trump appeared to tease Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as he arrived at the White House on Friday, telling him “oh look, you’re all dressed up.”

Zelensky shook hands with the president, dressed in a black sweater – a similar outfit to the military fatigues he almost always wears. The sweater bore the the Ukrainian trident, also known as the tryzub. The three-pronged spear appears on Ukraine's coat of arms and is a national symbol of Ukraine.

Turning to members of the press who captured the exchange Trump added “he’s all dressed up today” as the Ukrainian president smiled sheepishly. A clip of the interaction circulating on social media was seized on by “First Buddy” Elon Musk, who quoted “all dressed up” with a crying laughing emoji.

Trump administration considers ending military aid to Ukraine - report

Friday 28 February 2025 22:21 , Alex Croft

The Trump administration is considering ending outgoing military aid shipments to Ukraine after the argument in the White House earlier today, according to a report.

It comes after Mr Zelensky’s “perceived intransigence” during the peace process, a senior administration official told the Washington Post.

The decision would apply to billions of dollars of military equipment, the report says.

Starmer expresses 'unwavering' support for Ukraine

Friday 28 February 2025 22:05 , Alex Croft

Sir Keir Starmer has declared his “unwavering support” following the collapse of a White House meeting.

“The Prime Minister has tonight spoken to both President Trump and President Zelensky,” a Number 10 spokesperson said.

“He retains unwavering support for Ukraine, and is doing all he can to find a path forward to a lasting peace based on sovereignty and security for Ukraine.

“The Prime Minister looks forward to hosting international leaders on Sunday including President Zelensky.”

Details of the fallout emerge from White House officials

Friday 28 February 2025 22:02 , Alex Croft

White House officials have claimed US president Donald Trump kicked out Volodymyr Zelensky, who did not walk out of his own accord.

The rare minerals deal was not signed, they confirmed to Fox News.

They also claimed that Ukrainians were “begging to reset” relations but were informed by US secretary of state Marco Rubio and national security advisor Mike Waltz that he needs to leave and only return when he is ready for peace.

Mr Trump felt the Ukrainian president had disrespected them through his rhetoric and demeanour, claiming that he was “shrugging and rolling his eyes”.

As for the untouched lunch which was due to be served to the two presidents, it will be given to White House press office staffers.

Boris Johnson: US and Ukraine are on the same side

Friday 28 February 2025 21:55 , Alex Croft

As European leaders come to Volodymyr Zelensky’s defence, Boris Johnson has insisted that the “US and Ukraine are on the same side”.

He says that Ukrainians “deserve our support” and “deserve our respect”, adding that there is “still a path to peace”.

Analysis | Starmer remains isolated in silence as European leaders side with Zelensky

Friday 28 February 2025 22:01 , Alex Croft

Political editor David Maddox writes:

So far almost 20 European leaders have given their support to President Zelensky after the unedifying scenes in the Oval Office today.

But Sir Keir Starmer has yet to react even though the main opposition parties in the UK have condemned the behaviour of Donald Trump and his vice president JD Vance.

It is understood that the UK embassy in Washington DC under new ambassador Lord Mandelson is urging the PM to remain neutral and quiet while others rage against the way a war leader defending western democracy was berated and insulted in front of a bust of Winston Churchill.

But Starmer cannot hold his silence for long because he will have led a summit of European leaders on Sunday.

At the moment though while Emmanuel Macron of France and Friedrich Merz of Germany lead the support for the Ukrainian president, Starmer again looks supine in his diffidence towards Trump.

Only the rightwing Giorgia Meloni of Italy also remains quiet while Hungary’s Viktor Orban praised Trump. Not the political company Starmer would normally expect to keep.

Canadian PM: We will stand with Ukraine

Friday 28 February 2025 21:50 , Alex Croft

'We should be thanking Ukraine' - former foreign secretary

Zelensky thanks European leaders for support - but Starmer stays silent

Friday 28 February 2025 21:39 , Alex Croft

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has thanked more than 20 world leaders and politicians for their messages of support, after a dismal White House meeting with a furious Donald Trump.

Mr Zelensky has responded to 21 messages of support with a short reply: “Thank you for your support.”

The messages have come from leaders of France, Germany, Spain, Poland, Portugal, Ireland, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, and many more - including EU chiefs.

One European leader has notably not yet offered their support for Mr Zelensky: Britain’s Sir Keir Starmer.

Sir Keir met met with Donald Trump just yesterday and is due to meet Mr Zelensky on Sunday alongside other European leaders.

Comment | Zelensky has laid bare the ugly truth about Trump, the Godfather President

Friday 28 February 2025 21:25 , Alex Croft

It may well go down in history as the most remarkable, brutal and shocking political event ever seen on live television.

But it may prove to be more than a piece of TV history.

It may be the moment an entire nation was wiped off the world map.

Or worse, it might trigger events that are a threat way beyond the borders of Ukraine.

A threat to the rest of Europe and, yes, a threat to Britain. There is no point denying it

Macron: Russia is the aggressor, Ukraine the victim

Friday 28 February 2025 21:22 , Alex Croft

Fox News immediately celebrates Trump and Vance raging against Zelensky: ‘I loved it!’

Friday 28 February 2025 20:59 , Alex Croft

Several Fox News hosts applauded President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance right after their angry White House confrontation with Volodymyr Zelensky, declaring how much they “loved” that the American leaders “put” the Ukrainian president “in his place.”

The shocking blowup, which saw the vice president call Zelensky “disrespectful,” not only resulted in the cancellation of Friday afternoon’s joint press conference but also led to the rare earth minerals deal between the two countries going unsigned. Meanwhile, Zelensky left the White House moments after the shouting match.

Euro slumps after Trump-Zelensky meeting collapses

Friday 28 February 2025 20:55 , Alex Croft

The euro has slumped after the meeting between Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump, as the markets price in continuing uncertainty.

"A big driving force of markets now is uncertainty on a lot of different levels, and this is just another part of that," said Jack Mcintyre, portfolio manager at Brandywine Global in Philadelphia.

"It looked like we were moving towards progress on a peace deal or a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine and maybe now that gets to come on hold, so you have to price in a little bit more uncertainty."

The euro slumped after the meeting and was last down 0.29% at $1.0367 after dropping to $1.0359, its lowest since February 12.

ICYMI: We feel 'tremendous gratitude' to Zelensky and 'brave' troops, says Trump

Friday 28 February 2025 20:49 , Alex Croft

While the meeting in the Oval Office was still positive and mild-mannered, Donald Trump said he felt “tremendous gratitude” towards Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, while commending the bravery of Kyiv’s troops.

"Your soldiers have been unbelievably brave,” Mr Trump told his Ukrainian counterpart. “We give them great equipment, but they somebody has to use the equipment. They've been unbelievably brave, and we give them great credit.

“This was supposed to be over very quickly, and here we are, three years later. So I give tremendous gratitude, generals and your soldiers and yourself,” he said.

The US is “very proud of them” but “now we want to get it over”, Mr Trump added.

Hungarian PM: Trump stood bravely for peace

Friday 28 February 2025 20:42 , Alex Croft