In less than 90 seconds, weeks of intense diplomacy crumbled. During a tense Oval Office meeting on Friday, President Donald Trump openly rebuked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, making it clear that, despite persistent efforts from U.S. allies, he remained committed to ending Russia’s invasion—whether or not the terms were favorable to Ukraine.

Trump had initially welcomed Zelensky with an air of formality, telling reporters it was an “exciting moment” as they prepared to sign a landmark agreement granting U.S. access to critical Ukrainian minerals—an economic deal framed as a stepping stone toward peace with Russia. But less than two hours later, Zelensky was seen hastily leaving the West Wing, his relationship with Ukraine’s most crucial ally left in tatters.

The expected signing ceremony—and any hope for a historic peace accord—had collapsed. Trump quickly took to social media, blasting Zelensky as ungrateful and accusing him of insulting the United States. Meanwhile, stunned officials in Washington and across the world struggled to assess whether the damage could be undone, Bloomberg reported.

Fox News noted that, from the outset, the meeting between Trump and Zelensky lacked the warmth Trump had displayed in recent press events with other world leaders. According to sources cited by Fox, tensions had been simmering even before the meeting began. Zelensky was reportedly presented with a minerals-for-security deal ahead of the briefing, but the agreement contained no concrete security guarantees to shield Ukraine from another Russian attack.

This omission was a nonstarter for Zelensky, who had repeatedly warned that Ukraine could not agree to a mineral deal without assurances of military protection. His rejection of the offer reportedly infuriated both Trump and JD Vance. By the time reporters began asking questions, the meeting had spiraled into an open confrontation, leaving officials scrambling to understand how things had unraveled so quickly.

“We cannot just sign an agreement without any substantial guarantees,” a Ukrainian defense adviser told Fox News Digital. “It’s not going to work. It’s just going to reward the aggressor.”

While the White House had yet to confirm details of what transpired before the press briefing, HT.com noted it could not independently verify the claims.

The heated Oval Office exchange was the culmination of long-simmering tensions. Trump has frequently expressed frustration with Ukraine and its leadership, viewing the country as emblematic of costly U.S. foreign entanglements. He has long argued that Kyiv should align more closely with Moscow rather than expect American resources and security commitments. The breakdown of the mineral deal, which Trump had intended as a pressure tactic, immediately sent shockwaves through European allies like the U.K. and Germany, who had sought to keep diplomatic negotiations alive. Domestically, the confrontation only fueled concerns from critics who argue Trump is overly sympathetic to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The friction was apparent even before Zelensky stepped into the White House. As the Ukrainian leader arrived in his signature wartime attire—black clothing instead of a traditional suit—Trump greeted him with a comment that hinted at underlying tension: “You’re all dressed up.” Since Russia’s invasion, Zelensky and his chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, have deliberately avoided wearing suits, though Yermak made an exception that day.

The remark was followed by a pointed question in the Oval Office from Brian Glenn, a reporter for the staunchly pro-Trump outlet Real America’s Voice: “Why don’t you wear a suit? A lot of Americans have a problem with you not respecting the dignity of this office.”

Zelensky bristled but responded with a wry remark, suggesting that perhaps he would wear a suit when the war was over—though, he quipped, it might be a “cheaper” one.

The moment was emblematic of the broader divide: a leader fighting for his country’s survival and another who sees Ukraine as an unnecessary burden. And in just 90 seconds, the gulf between them had become too vast to bridge.