WASHINGTON (US): US President Donald Trump reportedly pressed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to accept Russia’s conditions to end the war during a tense meeting at the White House, warning that Russian President Vladimir Putin had vowed to “destroy” Ukraine if he refused, according to a Financial Times report.

Heated discussion at the White House

The report described the encounter as a “shouting match,” with Trump frequently cursing and dismissing battlefield maps presented by the Ukrainian delegation. Trump reportedly urged Zelenskyy to surrender the entire Donbas region to Russia, although he later supported a freeze along the current front lines.

European officials briefed on the meeting said Trump relayed Putin’s description of the invasion as a “special operation, not even a war,” and warned, “If (Putin) wants it, he will destroy you.” At one point, Trump reportedly tossed aside military maps, stating he was “sick” of seeing them and did not recognise the front-line markers.

Dispute over military aid

Ukrainian officials have been seeking deliveries of long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles from Washington, but Trump refused to authorise their supply. The standoff reflects ongoing disagreements over US support for Ukraine amid the war.

Putin’s new proposal

In a recent proposal to Trump, Putin suggested that Ukraine give up parts of Donbas still under Ukrainian control in exchange for small portions of southern Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions. This marked a slight retreat from his August demand in Alaska, which sought full cession of Donbas, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia. Ukrainian officials, however, regard the proposal as unacceptable.

Historical context of tensions

The recent meeting echoes a heated encounter in February, when Trump and Vice-President JD Vance accused Zelenskyy of showing insufficient gratitude for US support. European officials said Trump spent much of the latest discussion lecturing Zelenskyy and repeating Putin’s arguments to press for acceptance of the Russian proposal.

Zelenskyy, meanwhile, called for “decisive steps” from the United States, Europe, and G7 nations to secure an end to the war. Trump, in a Fox News interview, expressed confidence in negotiating peace, stating, “Putin is going to take something — he’s won certain property.”

Next steps in diplomacy

Trump and Putin have reportedly agreed to hold a second summit on the Ukraine war within the next two weeks, likely in Budapest. Their previous meeting on 15 August in Alaska concluded without progress after Putin rejected Trump’s push for an immediate ceasefire.

The White House and Zelenskyy’s office have not issued comments on the Financial Times report.