Relations between America and Ukraine can still be ‘salvaged’ according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, following a public row with Donald Trump in the White House.

The US President accused his Ukranian counterpart of “gambling with World War Three”, adding he “wasn’t ready for peace”.

Reporter Deborah Haynes in Kyiv has said people there are shocked by the spectacle.

“There’s been outrage across Ukranian social media channels,” she said.

“There’s also been comments from the head of the armed forces about the importance of Ukranian unity at this time, but there are also huge concerns.”

A small crowd of people hold Ukrainian flags and signs outside the White House as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meets with President Trump to sign a deal granting the US access to Ukraine's rare minerals. (Joshua Sukoff/Medill News Service/Sipa USA) Credit: Sipa USA/Alamy Live News. 28th Feb, 2025.

European leaders lined up overnight to show solidarity with Ukraine following the heated exchanges in the White House.

Comments on social media highlighted a major rift between America and its traditional allies.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa - the European Union's two top officials - told Mr Zelensky in a joint post: "Your dignity honors the bravery of the Ukrainian people."

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Harris posted 'We stand with Ukraine' - while Taoiseach Micheál Martin told The Late Late Show on RTÉ that 'Europe needs to hold its nerve in giving Ukraine the security it requires'.

Thank you for your support. https://t.co/sSMiQsVxdx

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 28, 2025

Mr Zelenskyy travelled to Washington DC in an attempt to secure a ceasefire agreement with Russia and a possible mineral deal with the US.

But his visit ended prematurely, with the signing of an agreement and a joint press conference with Mr Trump cancelled following their Oval Office clash.

As Mr Trump and Mr Zelenskyy met, with US vice president JD Vance joining them, tensions rose and a shouting match unfolded - all while cameras rolled and representatives from the media looked on.

Vice President JD Vance, center right, speaks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, center left, as President Donald Trump, center, listens in the Oval Office at the White House, Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/ Mystyslav Chernov)

The last 10 minutes of the almost 45-minute meeting descended into a tense back-and-forth, which began with Mr Vance telling Mr Zelenksyy: "I think it's disrespectful for you to come to the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the American media," he said.

"You should be thanking the President [Trump] for trying to bring an end to this conflict."

As the Ukrainian president tried to object, Mr Trump raised his voice and told him: "You're gambling with the lives of millions of people.

"You're gambling with World War Three, and 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."

"You're right now not in a very good position," he continued. "You don't have the cards right now with us, you start having problems right now."

'No compromise with a killer'

At one point, Mr Vance blasted Mr Zelenskyy for airing "disagreements" in front of the media, but the US president remarked: "I think it's good for the American people to see what's going on."

"You're not acting at all thankful," he said. "This is going to be great television."

Defending himself and his country, the Ukrainian president openly challenged Mr Trump on his softer approach to Vladimir Putin and urged him to make "no compromises with a killer".

Russian President at left with US President Donald Trump during the G20 meeting in Japan, 28 June 2019. Photo: White House

Posting on his Truth Social platform shortly after the clash, Mr Trump described the meeting as "very meaningful".

"Much was learned that could never be understood without conversation under such fire and pressure," he said.

"It's amazing what comes out through emotion, and I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for Peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations."

He continued: "I don't want advantage, I want PEACE. He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for Peace."

The dais where a press conference and an agreement were to be signed by United States President Donald J Trump and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House in Washington, DC, February 28, 2025.Credit: Chris Kleponis/CNP/MediaPunch

Mr Trump and Mr Zelenskyy had been due to have lunch with their delegations in the White House's cabinet room after the meeting - but untouched salad plates and other items were seen being packed up as the meal was hastily called off.

Such was the gulf following the row that Mr Trump told the Ukrainian leader to leave the White House, according to a US official, with the minerals deal now stuck in limbo.

Having left the White House early, Mr Zelenskyy said in a post on X: "Thank you America, thank you for your support, thank you for this visit.

"Thank you @POTUS, Congress, and the American people. Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for that."

Thank you America, thank you for your support, thank you for this visit. Thank you @POTUS, Congress, and the American people.
Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for that.

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 28, 2025

In an interview, he portrayed the meeting as a moment of frank and divergent views between the two but said he did not see the need to apologise.

He added that he wished Mr Trump was "more on our side" after the US president said he was in the middle of Ukraine and Russia.

"I want, really, him to be more on our side," Mr Zelenskyy said.

"It's not just that the war began somewhere between our countries," he said.

"The war began when Russia brought this war to our country. And they're not right."

“Of course,” Mr Zelensky said when asked in a Fox News interview if the relationship with Trump could be salvaged.

Main image: President Donald Trump, right, meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office at the White House, Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/ Mystyslav Chernov)