Nebraskans react to Oval Office outburst between Trump and Zelenskyy

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – President Donald Trump got into an argument on Friday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The two were supposed to meet in the Oval Office to discuss a deal that would give the U.S. greater access to rare minerals in Ukraine.

But the leaders descended into disagreement, prompting Zelenskyy to leave early.

“You’re gambling with World War III,” Trump said to the Ukrainian president. “And what you’re doing is very disrespectful to the country, this country that’s backed you far more than a lot of people said they should have.”

The mineral deal was left on the back burner after the fight.

But hours later, Zelenskyy spoke out on Fox News. He said he regrets having the argument in such a public way, but he believes the situation can be salvaged.

“It’s relations more than two presidents,” he said. “The historical relations, strong relations between our people. I always begin to thank your people from our people.”

Trump told reporters that Zelenskyy can return to the White House when he’s ready for peace with Russia.

“He’s got to say, ‘I want to make peace,'” Trump said. “He doesn’t have to stand there and say, ‘Putin this, Putin that.’ All negative things.”

Mykhailo Smyshliaiev, a Lincoln man from Ukraine, said all of this fighting is taking away from what’s really important, which is that people are dying.

“We got no agreement, no nothing,” he said. “Now, we know nothing about what’s going on. We don’t know what’s going to be tomorrow. It’s hard because the United States is the biggest ally we have.”

Nebraska lawmakers have had mixed emotions.

Rep. Mike Flood said Zelenskyy’s approach was “disrespectful to President Trump and undermines the goal of bringing peace.”

But in a comment on X, Rep. Don Bacon disagreed with Trump’s actions, writing that “talking down to a foreign leader in the WH is not being respectful either.”

Some remain hopeful that there will be a resolution to the war.

“Any negotiation to end a three-year conflict is never easy, and will always spark emotions,” Sen. Pete Ricketts said in a statement. “If anyone can get Ukraine and Russia to the negotiating table it is President Trump. We need to let him work his process.”