TRANSCRIPT
After days of media reporting on a draft minerals deal between Ukraine and United States, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy travelled to the White House to formalise the agreement and sign it.
The negotiations were going well - when suddenly it all unravelled.
The last 10 minutes of the 45-minute meeting escalated into a heated argument.
In front of reporters and TV cameras, the meeting began ordinarily enough - with pleasantries:
Trump: Well, thank you very much. It's an honour to have President Zelenskyy of Ukraine.
(laughter)
Journalist: Why don't you wear a suit? You're the highest level in this country's office. And you refuse to wear a suit.
Zelenskyy: I will wear a costume (suit) after this war will finish.
Trump: I think he is dressed beautifully.
Mr Zelenskyy presented President Trump with the championship belt of Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk [[OO-sik]].
Mr Trump complimented Mr Zelenskyy's clothing.
But minutes later it descended into a shouting match that stunned White House correspondents and those watching.
Zelenskyy: From the very beginning of the war...
Trump: You don't have the cards right now. With us you start having cards.
Zelenskyy: I'm not playing cards. Mr President, I am very serious.
Trump: You're playing cards, you're gambling with millions of people, you're gambling with World War Three. You're gambling with World War Three.
Mr Trump and accused Mr Zelenskyy of being ungrateful - and he was eventually told to leave without signing of the minerals deal.
"You're not acting at all thankful. And that's not a nice thing. I'll be honest, that's not a nice thing. All right, I think we've seen enough. What do you think? Great television. I will say that."
The meltdown came after Mr Trump said Ukraine would have to make compromises in a truce with Russia, which currently controls around 20 per cent of Ukrainian territory.
Mr Zelenskyy urged caution in taking Vladimir Putin's words at face value.
"A just ceasefire alone will not end the war. I have this experience and not only me. Ukraine before my presidency before the 2014 Putin broke (agreements) 25 times."
That prompted US Vice President to rebuke Mr Zelenskyy for voicing such remarks and airing disagreements with Mr Trump in public.
Things then went downhill from there - and never recovered.
"The problem is I have empowered you to be a tough guy. And I don't think you can be a tough guy without the United States. And you're people are very brave. But you're either going to make a deal or we're out."
John Townsend is the former US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for European and NATO Policy.
He says the exchange was tough to watch.
"I think a lot of the upset was the way in which they talked to him in the Oval Office, of all places, to a head of state and government. You know, so…and the fact that this looked like some kind of mafia shakedown. You better do this. You better sign this or, you know, it was just the rudeness of it. And so I think, I think among the American people, to all my friends and others of who’ve….it is really the idea that it's not so much the issue itself, although I think they disagree with the issue, too, you know? But, but it was really the how bad the American leadership looked to the world and how ashamed we should be that our leaders act that way."
In a statement posted on social media, Mr Trump says he has determined Mr Zelenskyy is not ready for peace - and he won't be allowed to return to the White House until that changes.
Mr Zelenskyy responded in an interview on Fox News, saying nobody wants to finish the war more than Ukrainians.
He says that is why he had travelled to the White House - but the critical element of any future peace deal needs to include a lasting security guarantee.
"You know, just a ceasefire without security guarantees, this so sensitive for our people. I'm speaking like a president of a people who are in this struggle three years, and they just want to hear that America (is) on our side and that America will stay with us, not with Russians. With us."
Mr Trump has dismayed Ukraine and European allies with his abrupt U-turn in US policy, casting himself as a mediator between Mr Putin and Mr Zelenskyy - and refusing to condemn the full-scale Russian invasion.
Instead, Mr Trump last week called Mr Zelenskyy a "dictator" and blamed Ukraine for Russia's invasion.
The policy shift began last month when Mr Trump abruptly ended the diplomatic isolation of Russia with a 90-minute phone call with Mr Putin.
Since then Trump administration officials have held talks with Russia in Saudi Arabia to discuss an end to the war in Ukraine - without the presence of Ukrainian or European officials.
Without outlining any concessions from Russia, US officials have said Ukraine should not expect NATO membership, or a full restoration of territory taken by Russia.
Russia has expressed its delight with the turn of events, with former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev calling Mr Zelenskyy an "insolent pig" who received "a proper slap down in the Oval Office."
The latest development has been viewed with alarm by Ukraine's allies, with many condemning what they called the berating of Mr Zelenskyy, after he was invited to the White House.
French President Emmanuel Macron says everyone must remember who is the aggressor.
"I think we all know the situation, there’s an aggressor, which is Russia, and a people attacked, which is Ukraine. I think we all were right to have helped Ukraine and sanctioned Russia three years ago, and to continue to do so. And when I say we, I mean the United States, Europeans, Canadians, Japanese and others. We must thank all those who helped and respect those who have been fighting since the beginning. Because they fight for their dignity, their independence, their children and for the security of Europe. These are simple things but that we must recall of on this moment."
Canada, Germany and Britain were quick to reiterate their support for Ukraine.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says Australia also remains steadfast in its support for Ukraine.
"We will continue to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes, because this is the struggle of a democratic nation versus an authoritarian regime led by Vladimir Putin, who clearly has imperialistic designs, not just on Ukraine, but throughout that region."
More than a dozen European leaders are due to meet in London in the next 24 hours to discuss the war in Ukraine.
A special European summit devoted to Ukraine has also been called for March 6.
