The Trump administration has blamed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for the meltdown in the Oval Office meeting on Friday, expressing frustration that he pushed for security guarantees despite being advised to negotiate that later. According to people familiar with the matter, Trump officials had told their Ukrainian counterparts in advance of the meeting that Trump wanted to sign an economic partnership, with the minerals deal being the first phase of a broader economic partnership. The officials believed that this would serve as a commitment to US security guarantees, as the agreement would mean the US had a vested interest in Ukraine's economic prosperity, particularly in the mining sector.

Trump saw the minerals deal as a way to demonstrate the US's commitment to Ukraine's economic prosperity, and by extension, its security. However, Zelenskyy's insistence on discussing security guarantees during the meeting was seen as a departure from the agreed-upon agenda. The meeting took a turn for the worse when Zelenskyy expressed skepticism about JD Vance's views on making peace with Russia, which was perceived as a personal attack on the US vice-president. Vance's response, which was seen as harsh, further escalated the situation, with some observers noting that it was a reflection of the geopolitical tensions between the US and Russia.

The aftermath of the meeting has seen a flurry of activity, with Trump officials and allies amplifying the president's handling of the situation. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, national security adviser Mike Waltz, and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick have all appeared on news shows to praise Trump's leadership and criticize Zelenskyy's actions. The White House has also sent out emails highlighting support from key Republican allies and members of Trump's Cabinet. Meanwhile, European leaders have expressed unified support for Ukraine and its leader, with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer describing the situation as a "once-in-a-generation moment for the security of Europe".

House Speaker Mike Johnson has suggested that Zelenskyy should potentially step aside, saying that he needs to "come to his senses and come back to the table in gratitude or someone else needs to lead the country". Johnson's comments reflect the growing frustration among some US officials with Zelenskyy's approach to negotiations. However, not all lawmakers agree, with Sen. James Lankford pushing back on calls for Zelenskyy to resign, arguing that it would spiral Ukraine into chaos. Sen. Bernie Sanders has also criticized the suggestion, calling it a "horrific suggestion" and noting that Zelenskyy is leading a country trying to defend democracy against an authoritarian dictator.

The situation remains fluid, with the US and Ukraine still negotiating the terms of the minerals deal. The incident has highlighted the complexities of international diplomacy, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the US and Ukraine will navigate their relationship, and what the implications will be for the broader international community. The following are some key points to consider: * The US and Ukraine are still negotiating the terms of the minerals deal * The incident has highlighted the complexities of international diplomacy * The US and Ukraine have different views on security guarantees * European leaders have expressed unified support for Ukraine and its leader * The situation remains fluid, with potential implications for the broader international community