A remarkable shouting match broke out in the Oval Office on Friday between President Donald Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky, who was hoping to appeal to the US for continued security assistance during his trip to Washington.

Raising their voices, Trump and Zelensky — along with the Vice President JD Vance — engaged in a tense back-and-forth about the nature of US support, and whether Zelensky had demonstrated enough gratitude.

“You’re not really in good position right now,” Trump scolded Zelensky, raising his voice.

“You’re gambling with World War III,” the US president went on.

Vance called Zelensky “disrespectful” for trying to litigate the conflict in public.

Trump and Zelensky are expected to sign an agreement granting Washington access to Ukraine’s natural resources.

The idea of a deal involving Ukraine’s rare-earths was first floated by Zelensky last autumn, and the US president took him up on the offer earlier this month. There was some back-and-forth over the past few weeks, with the Ukrainian leader apparently attempting to secure more favorable terms.

The minerals deal is expected to provide a general framework and confirm the two nations’ intent to create a special joint fund to be followed up by a series of separate documents, stipulating the details.

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