NATO Chief Issues Warning to Zelenskyy After White House Showdown with Trump

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to mend ties with U.S. President Donald Trump following their heated exchange in the Oval Office. Speaking to the BBC, Rutte revealed that he had spoken to Zelenskyy twice after the White House meeting, advising him to rebuild his relationship with the American leadership.

“It is important that President Zelensky finds a way to restore his relationship with the American President and with the senior American leadership team,” Rutte told the BBC on Saturday. He also acknowledged Trump’s past support for Ukraine, particularly during his first administration, when the U.S. approved the sale of Javelin anti-tank missiles that helped Ukraine resist Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. “We really have to give Trump credit,” he added.

The comments from the NATO chief come after a dramatic confrontation between Trump, Zelenskyy, and Vice President JD Vance in the Oval Office on Friday. The bilateral meeting took a tense turn as Vance intervened during a press interaction, criticizing Zelenskyy for bringing up Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea. “I think it’s disrespectful for you to come to the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the American media… you should be thanking the president for trying to bring you into this conference,” Vance told Zelenskyy.

As the conversation grew more intense, Trump warned the Ukrainian leader about the stakes of their discussion. “You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people. You’re gambling with World War Three. 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,” Trump said.

The fiery exchange led to the abrupt cancellation of a planned joint press conference and bilateral lunch. Zelenskyy and his delegation were reportedly asked to leave the White House after the talks ended in discord. A CNN report stated that while the Ukrainian side wanted discussions to continue, the White House made it clear that it was time for them to depart.

Minutes later, Trump released a statement summarizing the meeting. “We had a very meaningful meeting in the White House today. Much was learned that could never be understood without conversation under such fire and pressure. 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. 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”.

Following the clash, Zelenskyy continued his diplomatic engagements, traveling to the UK, where he was scheduled to meet Prime Minister Keir Starmer, King Charles III, and European allies. His spokesman, Sergiy Nykyforov, confirmed his arrival in London.

The fallout from the White House showdown underscores growing tensions over U.S. support for Ukraine, as Trump and his administration push for different terms in negotiations with Russia.

Stay tuned for further updates on this evolving story.