Washington, 1 March 2025 (dpa/MIA) - US President Donald Trump has ruled out an immediate resumption of talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky following their heated exchange at the White House, which ended with Zelensky's early departure and a planned minerals agreement left unsigned.

"He wants to come back right now, but I can't do that," Trump said during his first public appearance after the dispute on Friday.

Zelensky, meanwhile, said he will not apologize to Trump. When asked in a Fox News interview if he would, the Ukrainian leader replied, "No. I respect [the] president, and I respect American people, and ... I think that we have to be very open and very honest."

The Ukrainian president added that some discussions might be better held behind closed doors.

Heated confrontation in the Oval Office

What was meant to be a meeting on security and economic cooperation quickly spiraled into a fiery exchange.

As cameras rolled in the Oval Office, Trump accused Zelensky of being "disrespectful" and dismissed Ukraine's position in the ongoing war against invading Russian forces.

"You're gambling with the lives of millions of people," Trump said, pointing at Zelensky. "You're gambling with World War Three."

Trump insisted that a peace deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin was the only viable path forward, warning he could halt vital US support if Zelensky does not "make compromises."

"Your people are very brave, but you're either going to make a deal or we're out, and if we're out, you'll fight it out. I don't think it's going to be pretty," he said.

Zelensky, visibly frustrated, countered that "there would be no compromises with a killer on our territory" and accused Trump of jeopardizing both Ukrainian and US security with his approach to Russia.

"I really count on your strong position to stop Putin," Zelensky said. "I hope that together we can stop him. But for us, it's very important to save our country, our values, our freedom and democracy."

Trump touted his relationship with Putin while chastizing Zelensky for his attitude toward the Russian leader.

"You see the hatred he's got for Putin," gesturing at Zelensky.

"That's very tough for me to make a deal with that kind of hate. He's got tremendous hatred, and I understand that, but I can tell you the other side isn't exactly in love with him, either."

As Trump and Vice President JD Vance, who was also present, continued to press Zelensky on what they perceived as ingratitude for US assistance and an uncompromising stance, the Ukrainian leader shook his head and crossed his arms.

Following the acrimonious exchange, Zelensky abruptly left the White House, getting into a car parked in front of the West Wing.

The leaders cut short their private meeting and cancelled a planned press conference.

"That was not a man that wanted to make peace," Trump said of the Ukrainian president, hours after the Oval Office meeting. "I want a ceasefire now," he added.

Trump cautioned that if Ukraine refused to compromise, it would be left to fight on its own.

Zelensky demands security guarantees

Following his heated exchange with Trump, Zelensky reiterated Ukraine's urgent need for security guarantees.

"We don't want any surprises," he told Fox News, stressing that a raw materials deal alone was not enough to start peace talks with Russia. "This will be the step, first step to security guarantees. But it's not enough."

Asked if the White House clash left him frustrated, Zelensky downplayed personal concerns but pushed back against the US president's remarks, citing Trump's claims that Ukraine was near defeat, its soldiers were fleeing and he was a dictator.

"Where is our friendship between Ukraine and the United States?" he asked.

Minerals deal left in limbo

An agreement that would have granted the US access to Ukraine's rare earth minerals was left unsigned. The deal, under negotiation for weeks, was seen by Kiev as a strategic partnership that could ensure continued US support against the Russian invasion.

Trump, who returned to the White House just over a month ago, has linked US aid to Ukraine with access to its rare earth reserves. The deposits are considered to be economically lucrative and strategically important.

The US has been Ukraine's most important supporter and arms supplier under Trump's predecessor Joe Biden since Russia began its full-scale invasion of its neighbour three years ago.

Trump, who promised to swiftly end the war during his campaign, has now adopted a new tone and moved closer to Putin – a move that has caused great concern among Western countries and in Ukraine itself.

The US president, who has said he plans to meet with Putin soon, pushed back at accusations that he had become too close to him. During the Oval Office exchange, he said that he was not "aligned" with Putin.

"I'm not aligned with Putin, I'm not aligned with anybody, I'm aligned with the United States of America and for the good of the world."

Europe rallies behind Ukraine

Leaders from across Europe voiced support for Ukraine following the astonishing scene in Washington.

In view of Trump's threat to abandon Ukraine in its defence against Russia, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz wrote on X: "Ukraine can rely on Germany – and on Europe."

Germany's conservative leader Friedrich Merz, expected to succeed Scholz as chancellor after his party's election victory last Sunday, wrote on X: "We stand with Ukraine in good and in testing times. We must never confuse aggressor and victim in this terrible war."

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said that "Sweden stands with Ukraine. You are not only fighting for your freedom but also for all of Europe's. Slava Ukraini!"

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also posted a message of solidarity with Zelensky, writing on X: "Your dignity honors the bravery of the Ukrainian people. Be strong, be brave, be fearless."

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called for an "immediate summit" between Europe and the US and urged the trans-Atlantic allies to stay united.

"Every split in the West makes us all weaker and favours those who want to bring about the downfall of our civilization," Meloni said in a statement. "A division would benefit no one."

The EU's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, responded forcefully, condemning Trump's verbal attack on Zelensky. "The free world needs a new leader," she said. "Ukraine is Europe! We stand by Ukraine," wrote Kallas, the bloc's foreign affairs chief, on social media.

European leaders are set to convene for a special summit in the UK this weekend to discuss the situation in Ukraine, with a focus on strengthening coordination among allies and exploring potential peace talks.

On March 6, a special EU summit in Brussels is set to address the ongoing crisis and additional support for Kiev. However, reaching an agreement could be challenging, as major EU decisions require unanimity. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who has repeatedly blocked EU aid for Ukraine, is also set to participate.

Photo: EPA