Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky believes that his country’s relationship with the United States can still be repaired despite a heated confrontation with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House.
The incident, which ended with Zelensky being asked to leave the Oval Office, has raised concerns about the future of U.S. support for Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia.
When asked in a Fox News interview whether ties with Trump could be restored, Zelensky responded, “Of course.” He also noted that the U.S.-Ukraine relationship is about more than just the two leaders, stressing that Ukraine still relies heavily on Washington’s support in its fight against Russia’s much larger and better-equipped military.
“It will be difficult without your support,” Zelensky said during the interview.
The Ukrainian leader’s comments came just hours after a tense exchange in the Oval Office, where Trump and Vice President JD Vance reportedly clashed with him over the war. Trump accused Zelensky of not being “thankful” and pressured him to accept a ceasefire deal with Russia.
“You don’t have the cards right now,” Trump told Zelensky. “You’re either going to make a deal or we’re out, and if we’re out, you’ll fight it out and I don’t think it’s going to be pretty.”
The meeting ended abruptly, with Zelensky being escorted out of the White House. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent later told Fox News, “They were asked to leave the room. Then they had to be asked to leave the building.”
Despite the public fallout, Zelensky refused to apologize for his stance, telling Fox News, “I’m not sure that we did something bad.” However, he admitted that he wished the argument had not happened in front of reporters.
