Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance in the Oval Office to discuss signing a critical minerals deal when an argument ignited between them. 

What ignited the fight on Friday, Feb. 28, leading Ukrainian President Zelenskyy to leave, was President Trump and Vice President Vance claiming that President Zelenskyy was not being grateful and that he was being very disrespectful not only to Trump but also the country by not saying thank you. Trump said, “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.”

 When Zelenskyy tried to defend himself, Vance said, “I think it’s disrespectful for you to come to the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the American media.” Later during the argument, Trump told Zelenskyy, “You do not have the cards right now,” and “You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people.” He also said, “You’re gambling with World War Three.” Zelenskyy brought up past international help for Ukraine before Vance interjected once more, saying, “Again, just say thank you.” 

According to CNN, after the feud, the Ukrainians tried to protest; they wanted to continue the talk, but their request was denied, and they were asked to leave. Around 2 p.m., they left without goodbyes, and no pictures of them were taken as they left the White House. They went back to the Hay Adams Hotel where they were staying