Trump Says Zelenskyy Showdown Will Be 'Great Television': 'That's Why I Kept This Going So Long'

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President Donald Trump and VP J.D. Vance berated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for more than 30 minutes during a tense meeting in the White House's Oval Office on Friday, which Trump claimed he kept going for the cameras.

Shortly before the wide-ranging interview ended, the American leaders reprimanded Zelenskyy for coming off ungrateful to the U.S. and Biden administration for sending Ukraine $350 billion, according to Trump, with the actual figure being closer to half at $175 billion, to fight its war against Russia.

"Just say, 'Thank you,' accept that there are disagreements and let's go litigate those disagreements rather than trying fight it out in the American media when you're wrong," Vance told Zelenskyy in a 5-minute clip circulating on X. "We know that you're wrong."

Zelenskyy attempted to interject while Vance spoke, saying he had thanked the American people, before Trump then broke the fourth wall.

"But you see I think it's good for the American people to see what's going on," Trump interjected with Vance nodding and voicing agreement.

"I think it's very important. That's why I kept this going so long," Trump said while pointing around the media before continuing to admonish Zelenskyy for being ungrateful.

A few minutes later, Trump told the Ukrainian leader, "You either have to make a deal or we're out," and reiterated Zelenskyy must sign the deal and show his gratitude for the U.S. before abruptly ending the interview.

"I think we've seen enough. What do you think?" Trump asked reporters while Zelenskyy appeared unsettled beside him. "This is gonna be great television, I will say that," the U.S. president added.

Zelenskyy flew to Washington, D.C., under the pretense that he would be finalizing a "framework agreement," which would allow the two nations to develop and monetize Ukraine's deposits of rare earths, critical minerals, oil, gas and other natural resources in exchange for the U.S. continuing to back the nation against Russia, according to Reuters.

Following the public showdown, it was reported that the scheduled press conference was called off and that Zelenskyy had left the White House.