U.S. President Donald Trump stepped up his threats against Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday, after a fiery showdown in the Oval Office. Trump threatened to put Zelensky's leadership on the line should he not negotiate a ceasefire with Russia.
Blaming Zelensky for suggesting that the war might go on forever, Trump contended that Ukraine's president should be "more grateful" for the massive military assistance given by the U.S. in Kyiv's fight against Russia.
But Trump said that a minerals pact, which broke down last week because of the disagreement, was not completely off the table. He also deflated rumors that he would stop sending military aid to Ukraine after their White House row.
"It shouldn't be that difficult a deal to make. It could happen very quickly," Trump said of a ceasefire.
"Now, perhaps somebody doesn't want to make a deal, and if that's the case, I don't think that individual will be around very long." He went on, "That individual won't be heard for long because I think Russia desires a deal, and I certainly think the people of Ukraine desire a deal."
Earlier on Monday, when he was in London to meet with European leaders, Zelensky said that a conclusion to Moscow's invasion was still far off. Trump deplored this statement as "the worst statement Zelensky could make" and threatened that "America will not tolerate this much longer."
Posting on Truth Social, Trump blamed Zelensky for thwarting peace initiatives, saying, "This guy doesn't want there to be peace as long as he has America's backing."
Trump also attacked European leaders, blaming them for weakness and asserting they "flatly admitted they cannot manage without U.S. support."
In the hot argument at the White House, Trump and US Vice President JD Vance allegedly stood up and scolded Zelensky for being ingratitude and disrespect towards American military assistance. Zelensky had insisted on security guarantees from the US as part of any possible ceasefire.
After the row, Zelensky was told to exit the White House, and the vital minerals deal—providing Washington with preferential rights to Ukraine's resources—went unsigned.
Trump later spoke to his senior advisors about the next step with Ukraine. But he brushed off that he was weighing reduction in military aid unless Zelensky signed a ceasefire agreement.
"I haven't even mentioned that right now. I mean, we'll see what happens. A lot is happening right now, literally as we speak," Trump said.
In the meantime, U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz made it clear that Zelensky had to own up to the Oval Office controversy.
"What we want to hear from President Zelensky is that he's sorry about what happened," Waltz said in an interview with Fox News.
He also dismissed assertions by incoming German Chancellor Friedrich Merz that Trump and Vance had deliberately provoked the altercation. "This was no ambush," Waltz insisted.
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