'Zelenskyy, Ukraine delegation told to leave' after heated exchange with Trump: White House official

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was instructed to leave from the White House prematurely following a verbal spat with with US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office, as confirmed by an unauthorised White House staff member speaking off the record, quoted by AP.

During the White House meeting on Friday, tensions escalated between Zelenskyy and Trump as they gathered to finalise an agreement regarding Ukraine's mineral resources and explore potential peace negotiations with Russia. The US President issued a stark warning, stating, "make a deal or we are out."

Subsequently, Zelenskyy departed from the White House premises without signing the crucial minerals agreement that Trump had specified, with Trump indicating that this agreement would determine forthcoming assistance to Ukraine.

However, following the tense meeting, Zelenskyy and his team relocated to another room, where the Ukrainian president attempted to salvage the situation and restore the visit's intended course, as per the White House official.

The official then revealed that National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed the Ukrainian delegation that Trump had requested Zelenskyy's immediate departure from the White House.

The heated discussion took place during a critical period for Ukraine, as Zelenskyy sought to secure American backing to counter possible forthcoming Russian military operations.

Zelenskyy and Trump anticipated securing a significant deal, which would have provided funding for Ukraine's reconstruction after the war and establish enduring bilateral relations. The agreement, considered a step forward in resolving the three-year conflict, addressed Ukraine's security priorities.