Bret welcomes President Zelenskyy back and thanks him for making time for the interview. Bret mentions that President Trump said Zelenskyy disrespected him, the Vice President, and all of America in the Oval Office. He asks Zelenskyy if he thinks he did and whether he owes Trump an apology.
Zelenskyy thanks Americans for their support and says he is grateful to President Trump and Congress for bipartisan support. He emphasizes Ukraine’s strategic partnership with the US, their need for honest and direct dialogue, and the shared goal of ending the war. He says nobody wants to end it more than Ukrainians because they are the ones fighting and dying. He stresses the importance of unity to stop Putin, saying he’s heard Trump promise to stop the war and hopes he will. He calls for early, honest dialogue to understand each other, noting that peace is more than the absence of war—it’s about lasting peace, freedom, justice, and human rights. He points out that Putin has broken cease-fire agreements many times over the years.
Bret presses him about whether he thinks he owes President Trump an apology. Zelenskyy says he respects Trump and the American people, but he’s not sure they did anything wrong. He says some discussions should happen privately, out of the media spotlight, but stresses that Ukraine’s position needs to be understood.
Bret asks about reports that Zelenskyy was told to make the meeting about a minerals deal and economic cooperation, leaving security guarantees to be negotiated step by step. Zelenskyy confirms they’re ready to sign the document as a first step toward security guarantees but says it’s not enough. He wants to understand Trump’s plan to stop Putin, noting it’s a sensitive issue for Ukrainians who have been fighting for years and want America firmly on their side.
Bret asks if the public spat in the Oval Office helped Ukrainians. Zelenskyy says it wasn’t good for either side but refuses to change Ukraine’s stance toward Russia, calling them killers. He praises the US and Europe as Ukraine’s best friends but insists on recognizing the harsh reality.
Bret asks if Trump is right to believe Zelenskyy will never sign a deal with Putin. Zelenskyy says Ukraine wants peace and diplomacy but must negotiate from a position of strength, with security guarantees in place and strong support from partners like the US and Europe.
Bret quotes Trump leaving the White House saying Zelenskyy just wants to fight. He asks if Zelenskyy wants to keep fighting or wants peace. Zelenskyy says they want peace, which is why he’s in the US discussing deals aimed at security guarantees. But he says they can’t just stop fighting while Putin remains a threat. Ukrainians remember how the war began, and no one wants another wave of occupation. If not NATO membership, he wants to build "NATO in Ukraine" with real security guarantees.
Bret asks whether Ukraine can win or hold off Russia without continued US support. Zelenskyy says it will be difficult without that support, which is why he’s there negotiating. He says they can’t lose their people or their freedom, and points out the atrocities Russians committed in Ukraine.
Bret asks about next steps. Zelenskyy says Europe is ready to help financially and militarily, and they’re working to figure out what role the US will play in security guarantees. Once that’s clear, they can move to diplomatic negotiations with Russia and Europe. He says without enough weapons, pushing Russia out would take too long, but security guarantees would enable negotiations.
Bret cites Senator Lindsey Graham, who said after the meeting that he found Zelenskyy disrespectful and suggested Zelenskyy should resign. Zelenskyy says only Ukrainians can make that decision, and he’s not going to step down just to make a peace deal. He stresses that Ukraine is grateful for US support and wants only strong, honest partnerships.
Bret notes that Democrats had the opposite reaction, accusing Trump of helping Putin. He asks Zelenskyy if the confrontation in the Oval Office was pre-planned. Zelenskyy says he doesn’t know but doesn’t think so. He says what upset him was hearing US politicians downplay Ukraine’s sacrifices, suggesting Ukraine was almost destroyed or had lost millions. He stresses that each loss matters and that Ukrainians don't want to forget what Russia did. He says this isn’t about him—it’s about preserving the friendship between Ukraine and the US.
Bret asks if sensitive conversations should have happened behind closed doors. Zelenskyy says yes, he regrets the public argument because some things are too sensitive for media. He emphasizes that honesty and understanding are critical to not losing their friendship with the US.
Asked about the next steps, Zelenskyy says the deal on minerals was prepared over weeks and should be signed soon. He stresses that they want to understand what part of security guarantees it covers and what the next steps are, because Ukrainians hate surprises during wartime.
Bret points out the minerals deal didn’t contain security guarantees. Zelenskyy says it’s part of the plan. He notes Trump suggested it would mean production and investment in areas Putin wouldn’t touch. But Zelenskyy warns not to trust Putin, explaining that Russia has previously occupied territories with American companies on them. He sees the deal as a good idea for business but insists on real guarantees.
Bret asks if Trump is too close to Putin. Zelenskyy says Trump has always said he wants to be in the middle so he can bring the sides to the table. Zelenskyy says he wants Trump to be more clearly on Ukraine’s side because Russia brought the war to Ukraine. He insists Ukrainians want to hear a strong US stance against Russia.
Bret asks about concerns over corruption and whether US money is being properly tracked. Zelenskyy says it’s very open and digitalized. He explains that most of the $100 billion was weapons delivered directly and tracked, while about $31 billion was direct financial support. He invites anyone to verify the accounting.
Finally, Bret asks if Zelenskyy’s relationship with Trump can be salvaged. Zelenskyy says yes, because the relationship is bigger than just two presidents. It’s a historic, strong connection between the Ukrainian and American people, and he’s confident they’ll maintain it.
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