A planned economic agreement between the United States and Ukraine unraveled this week after a tense exchange between President Donald J. Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House.

What was expected to be a signing ceremony for a minerals deal—an agreement aimed at boosting Ukraine’s economy while recouping American taxpayer dollars—quickly turned into a diplomatic standoff.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who was present during the meeting, described the atmosphere as “incredibly tense,” telling Fox News’ Laura Ingraham that Zelensky’s approach led to a breakdown in negotiations.

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“It was incredibly tense in that room, and things turned bad and bitter very quickly because, unfortunately, President Zelensky refuses to recognize the pragmatic reality about the war that his country is facing. This war has been going on for years. His countrymen are dying,” Leavitt said.

She added that Zelensky failed to acknowledge the new administration’s stance on U.S. support for Ukraine.

“Most of all, President Zelensky failed to recognize that he’s walking into the Oval Office with a new sheriff in town. That sheriff is Donald Trump. He is a peacemaker-in-chief. He wants this war to end. He understands that his people—the American people—are sick and tired of footing the bill for this war to the tune of hundreds of billions of dollars.”

The minerals deal, which had been in development as part of Trump’s strategy to shift U.S. support away from direct financial aid and toward economic partnerships, was meant to provide economic relief to Ukraine while ensuring American taxpayers saw a return on their previous aid commitments.

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However, the talks fell apart as tensions escalated.

“It’s very unfortunate for the Ukrainian people and for President Zelensky that he walked in with this mindset of ‘give, give, give’ from the American people, without much gratitude for what they have done for his country over the last few years,” Leavitt continued.

With the meeting deteriorating, President Trump ultimately ended the discussion, canceled a scheduled luncheon with Zelensky, and called off the signing of the agreement.

“President Trump wants peace. He remains committed to that. But President Zelensky either needs to change his attitude or perhaps he can’t make a deal at all,” Leavitt stated.

Trump’s firm stance on Ukraine marks a significant shift from the previous administration, which sent over $175 billion in aid to Ukraine during Joe Biden’s tenure. Trump’s administration has signaled that future U.S. involvement must focus on achieving peace rather than prolonging the conflict.

Zelensky’s visit ended without a resolution, and Trump’s actions made it clear that Ukraine’s leadership must reconsider its approach to U.S. relations.

Following the meeting, former Obama national security advisor Susan Rice criticized the exchange, claiming it was orchestrated to provoke Zelensky and create a political moment.

However, Leavitt dismissed those claims, saying, “That’s absolutely not true. President Trump was excited about this economic agreement. It was President Zelensky who actually antagonized the Vice President in front of the cameras and picked a fight with him.”

Zelensky has long framed his leadership as a fight for democracy, but with the war continuing and U.S. support shifting, his influence in Washington appears to be diminishing.

Trump’s approach makes clear that Ukraine must take responsibility for its own future, whether by negotiating peace or securing alternative sources of funding.

Leavitt reinforced that message, saying, “Again, this is not the previous administration. Joe Biden is no longer in that Oval Office. We are no longer going to just write blank checks to a war very far away without real lasting peace. That’s what the President wants.”

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