By Gloria Nosa
When Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky walked into the White House on October 17, he came with a mission: to secure advanced weaponry and stronger guarantees of American support in Kyiv’s war against Russia. But according to multiple reports, the highly anticipated meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump quickly unraveled into a bitter confrontation — one that insiders described as a “shouting match” reminiscent of their hostile encounter earlier in February 2025.
“Russia Will Bury You”
The Financial Times reported that Trump threw aside briefing maps showing Ukraine’s frontline positions, cursing repeatedly during the meeting. At one point, he allegedly warned Zelensky that Ukraine must be prepared to concede the entire Donbas region to Russia. “If not,” Trump is said to have told the Ukrainian leader, “Putin will destroy you. Russia will bury you.”
According to the paper, Trump’s comments closely mirrored talking points Russian President Vladimir Putin had made to him during a recent phone call. He reportedly dismissed the ongoing conflict as “not even a war,” echoing Moscow’s official narrative that frames the invasion as a “special operation.”
The remarks stunned Ukrainian officials present and reinforced Kyiv’s fear that the White House may be moving closer to adopting the Kremlin’s line.
Empty-Handed in Washington
For Zelensky, the trip proved deeply disappointing. He had hoped to leave Washington with concrete pledges of new military support, particularly long-range Tomahawk missiles that Ukraine considers critical for striking deep into Russian-held territory. Instead, he left empty-handed.
The Guardian noted that the meeting yielded no breakthrough agreements, a sharp contrast to Zelensky’s expectations. Sources told Politico that Republican allies had quietly advised Zelensky to cancel his visit altogether, warning that Trump’s focus was elsewhere. With a government shutdown consuming Washington and the White House directing much of its diplomatic energy toward the Middle East, Ukraine’s appeal for weapons fell down the priority list.
Differing Priorities and Rising Frustrations
The clash highlighted the widening gulf between Kyiv and Washington. While Ukraine seeks unwavering Western support, Trump has increasingly voiced skepticism about what he calls “blank checks” for foreign wars.
“Four days ago, we were discussing Tomahawk missiles; now, the focus is on Ukraine making territorial concessions,” one diplomatic source told Politico. “It falls to Europe to ensure that the next shift in Trump’s position goes in Ukraine’s favor.”
The remark underlines a sobering reality: Kyiv may no longer be able to count on Washington as its most reliable ally in the conflict.
Zelensky Responds: “Never Give Up, Never Surrender”
Shortly after leaving Washington, Zelensky took to social media to reaffirm Ukraine’s position.
“Ukraine will never grant terrorists any bounty for their crimes, and we count on our partners to uphold this very position,” he wrote, as quoted by The Guardian.
He doubled down in another post highlighted by The Financial Times, urging a united international front:
“Decisive steps are needed from the United States, Europe, the G20 and G7 countries.”
By framing the conflict as not only Ukraine’s struggle but a global fight for stability, Zelensky sought to rally the broader “coalition of the willing” at a time when American commitment appears uncertain.
A Week is a Long Time in Politics
Diplomats observing the rift noted how quickly priorities in Washington can shift. “Four days ago, Tomahawks were on the table. Now it’s about making concessions,” a European source lamented. The message was clear: Ukraine’s future may hinge less on Washington’s unpredictable calculations and more on Europe’s willingness to shoulder responsibility.
The shouting match at the White House revealed more than a personal clash between two leaders — it exposed the fragile state of Western unity in the face of Russia’s ongoing aggression. For Zelensky, the failure to secure new weapons from Washington is a blow. For Trump, the episode signals a continuation of his transactional, unpredictable approach to foreign policy.
As the war drags on, the spotlight now shifts to Europe, the G7, and the G20 — the very powers Zelensky has called upon to fill the vacuum left by Washington’s wavering commitment.
One thing is certain: the October 17 confrontation may be remembered not just as a shouting match, but as a turning point in the trajectory of the war and in Ukraine’s relationship with its most powerful ally.
