President Donald Trump has told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that he’s ‘gambling with World War Three’ in an explosive discussion at the White House.

On Friday (28 February), the pair – along with Vice President JD Vance – met in the Oval Office where they discussed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

In a clip shared online, Trump can be heard telling Zelenskyy: “You don’t have the cards right now. With us, you start having cards … You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people! You’re gambling with World War III!”

The pair could be seen arguing as a heated discussion escalated.

Trump could be heard telling the Ukrainian president: “You either make a deal or we are out.

“Don’t tell us what we’re going to feel.

“We’re trying to solve a problem. Don’t tell us what we’re going to feel, because you’re in no position to dictate that… You’re in no position to dictate what we’re going to feel.

“We’re going to feel very good and very strong.

“You’re not in a very good position, you’ve allowed yourself to be in a bad position… you don’t have the cards right now… you’re gambling with the lives of millions of people.”

Donald Trump told Volodymyr Zelenskyy he was ‘gambling with World War Three’ (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

At one point, Vance interjected, asking the Ukrainian president: “In this entire meeting, have you said thank you?

“You went to Pennsylvania and campaigned for the opposition in October, offer some words of appreciation for the United States of America and the president who’s trying to save your country.”

Trump added: “Your country is in big trouble. Wait a minute. No, no, you’ve done a lot of talking. Your country is in big trouble.”

Vance asked Zelenskyy if he had said ‘thank you’ (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

The White House has since responded to the exchange, with Trump’s special assistant and communications adviser Margo Martin writing on X: “President Trump and Vice President Vance will always stand for America and those who respect our position in the world. America will never be taken advantage of.”

In a post on Truth Social, Trump later added that Zelenskyy could ‘come back when he is ready for peace’.

“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,” he wrote.

“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.”

Keir Starmer has broken his silence over Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s heated exchange on Friday (28 February).

Recorded at the Oval Office, the US president accused the Ukrainian president of ‘gambling with World War III’. Zelenskyy ended up leaving the White House early, later saying he was ‘thankful to the president’ and confident that their relationship can be salvaged.

The Ukrainian then arrived in the UK yesterday where he met with the Prime Minister at Downing Street. And Starmer appeared on the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg as he said Trump and Zelenskyy’s clash made him feel ‘uncomfortable’.

“Nobody wants to see that,” he said of the two leaders’ exchange, adding: “Clearly, you know, there’s a lot of tension. The cameras were on.”

The labour leader said the important thing is ‘how to react to that’.

“There are a number of different routes people could go down. One is to ramp up the rhetoric as to how outraged we all are or not,” Starmer explained.

Starmer met with Zelenskyy on Saturday. (Peter Nicholls/Getty Images)

“The other is to do what I did, which is roll up my sleeves, pick up the phone, talk to President Trump, talk to President Zelenskyy, then invite President Zelenskyy for an extensive meeting yesterday, a warm welcome, and then further pick up the phone to President Macron and President Trump afterwards.”

The Prime Minister said his reaction was: “We have to bridge this. We have to find a way that we can all work together. Because, in the end, we’ve had three years of bloody conflict. Now we need to get to that lasting peace.”

Trump had strong words for Zelenskyy. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Speaking of Trump, he added: “I am clear in my mind that he does want a lasting peace.”

As the world reacts to the tense exchange between Zelenskyy and the US president, Starmer explained that it has been agreed that the UK along with France ‘and possibly one or two others’ will now work with Ukraine ‘on a plan to stop the fighting’.

“And then we’ll discuss that plan with the United States,” he added.

After accusing Zelenskyy of ‘gambling with the lives of millions of people’, Trump shared a statement on his Truth Social platform.

“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,” he wrote.

“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.”

Warning: This article contains discussion of trans issues which some readers may find distressing.

Donald Trump threatened the Democratic governor of Maine to her face during a meeting with governors at the White House on Friday (21 February).

The President of the United States, 78, told Maine Governor Janet Mills that she must comply with his executive order which bans transgender women and girls from women’s sport.

He said that if she doesn’t, she will risk losing federal funding.

“Are you not going to comply with it?” Trump asked the 75th governor of Maine.

“I’m complying with state and federal laws,” the 77-year-old responded.

That’s when the American businessman threatened: “We are federal law, you better do it.

“You better do it, because you’re not going to get federal funding… Your population doesn’t want men in women’s sports.”

“We’ll see you in court,” Mills replied.

Donald Trump threatened the Democratic governor of Maine (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

“Good. I’ll see you in court. I’ll look forward to that. That should be a real easy one.” Trump said. “And enjoy your life after, governor, because I don’t think you’ll be in elected politics.”

Prior to the meeting, Mills said Maine ‘will not be intimidated by the president’s threats.’

“If the president attempts to unilaterally deprive Maine school children of the benefit of federal funding, my administration and the attorney general will take all appropriate and necessary legal action to restore that funding and the academic opportunity it provides,” Mills said (via The Independent).

Meanwhile, Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey said that Trump’s attempt to cut federal funding ‘would be illegal and in direct violation of federal court orders’.

Maine Governor Janet Mills challenged President Trump over trans women in sports (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

“Fortunately, the rule of law still applies in this country, and I will do everything in my power to defend Maine’s laws and block efforts by the president to bully and threaten us.” Frey said.

This comes after acting Education Secretary for civil rights Craig Trainor said Maine is being investigated for alleged Title IX violations, which are actions that discriminate against people based on their sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation.

“Maine would have you believe that it has no choice in how it treats women and girls in athletics — that is, that it must follow its state laws and allow male athletes to compete against women and girls,” Trainor said in a statement.

“Let me be clear: If Maine wants to continue to receive federal funds from the Education Department, it has to follow Title IX. If it wants to forgo federal funds and continue to trample the rights of its young female athletes, that, too, is its choice.”

According to PBS, earlier this month, the Maine Principal’s Association said it would continue to allow transgender female athletes to compete in women’s sports.

Their executive director, Mike Burnham, said that they would be following the Maine Human Rights Act, which goes against discrimination based on gender identity.

Mills said she’d be working alongside the general attorney in defence of Maine in court, however, she added in her statement: “But do not be misled: this is not just about who can compete on the athletic field, this is about whether a President can force compliance with his will, without regard for the rule of law that governs our nation. I believe he cannot.”