A press conference at the White House, scheduled for Friday, where U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy were set to sign the U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal, was canceled following a tense shouting match between the two inside the Oval Office earlier in the day.

Angry exchange in the Oval Office

What should have been a standard press pool spray before the high-stakes Trump-Zelenskyy meeting turned into a fireworks-filled confrontation, broadcast on TV, beginning with U.S. Vice President JD Vance's interjection. Vance, who was present in the room, demanded that the Ukrainian leader be thankful for Trump's efforts to resolve his country's three-year conflict with Russia.

"You should be thanking the president for trying to bring an end to this conflict," Vance told Zelenskyy during the unprecedented public confrontation. The tension escalated as Trump, Vance and Zelenskyy all tried to speak over each other.

Rebuking Vance, Zelenskyy remarked that the United States would "in the future" feel the consequences of the Ukraine-Russia conflict. Trump countered, saying Zelenskyy was "in no position to dictate what we are going to feel," adding that Zelenskyy "allowed" himself "to be in a very bad position."

"You don't have cards right now. With us, you start having cards," Trump said, while Zelenskyy, whose voice was barely audible amidst the shouting, was heard replying that he was not playing cards.

"You're gambling with the lives of millions of people. You're gambling with World War III. You're gambling with World War III. And what you're doing is very disrespectful to this country," Trump continued.

After the confrontation

Trump told reporters on Friday that Zelenskyy, whom he clashed with at the White House earlier, did not look like a man who wanted peace. The meeting "didn't work out exactly great" and Zelenskyy "overplayed his hand," Trump noted.

Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to the American people after his confrontation with Trump and Vance.

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

In an interview with Fox News after the meeting, Zelenskyy stated that his relations with the United States could still be repaired.

The U.S.-Ukrainian ties are about "more than two presidents," he said, adding that Ukraine desperately needs Washington's support in the fight against Russia's larger and better-armed military. "It will be difficult without your support."

Zelenskyy is expected to attend a summit hosted by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Sunday in London, alongside the leaders of Italy, Germany, Poland and other allies.

EU leaders defend Zelenskyy after fiery White House meeting

"Your dignity honors the bravery of the Ukrainian people. Be strong, be brave, be fearless. You are never alone," European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said on social media platform X, adding, "We will continue working with you for a just and lasting peace."

"Nobody wants peace more than the Ukrainians do. Therefore we are working on a common path to a lasting and just peace," German Chancellor Olaf Scholz posted on X. "Ukraine can rely on Germany, and on Europe."

"We were all right to help Ukraine and sanction Russia three years ago, and to continue to do so," French President Emmanuel Macron said, calling for respect for those who have been fighting since the beginning.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said: "Dear Ukrainian friends, you are not alone."

Slovenian President Natasa Pirc Musar said her country "upholds the principles and respect of international law and international relations," noting "what we witnessed in the Oval Office today undermines these values and the foundations of diplomacy."

"We stand firmly in support of Ukraine's sovereignty," she continued. "It is time for Europe to take the lead on the path to peace in Ukraine. With respect for international law, UN Charter, fairness and above all ... decency."

Other European leaders rallied to defend Ukraine in similar messages, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Antonio Costa, Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, Moldovan President Maia Sandu, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.

The White House meeting reflects the trust crisis in the West

"Trump's strategy to resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict deeply disappointed Ukraine, and was accused by Zelenskyy of being a concession to Russia," Cui Zheng, deputy director and associate professor of Research Center for the Economies and Politics of Transitional Countries at Liaoning University in China, told CGTN.

"Friday's meeting turned into a fierce quarrel. Zelenskyy was asked to leave the White House after a chaotic Oval Office confrontation with Trump, which was a microcosm of the changes in the current international political landscape," Cui said.

"It not only exposed the huge differences between the United States and Ukraine on the Russia-Ukraine issue, but also reflected the trust crisis in the West, Ukraine's plight and the deepening conflicts between Europe and the United States," Cui added.

The U.S.'s twice direct negotiations with Russia in February, bypassing its European allies, triggered Europe's deep anxiety and strong dissatisfaction with the loss of its own security dominance. This contradiction was also reflected in the quarrel between Trump and Zelenskyy, the expert noted.

(With input from agencies)