US President Donald Trump attacked his guest and Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky, describing his statements as disrespectful, and warned him against refusing a ceasefire with Russia.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump gave Zelensky a choice between signing a deal on minerals or Washington withdrawing support for Kiev.

After the tense meeting, Trump said Zelensky could return to the White House again when he was ready for peace.

Trump said it was disrespectful for Zelensky to come to the White House and argue in front of the American media.

He asked him to show gratitude to the United States and thank it for standing up to Russia over the past years, according to Al Jazeera.

Gambler and loser

Trump addressed his guest, saying, "You are not in a good position, and you are gambling with starting World War III. You have to make a deal or we will withdraw."

Trump continued to rebuke and scold his guest, saying, "Your country is in trouble and you are not winning the war. What you are doing shows a lack of respect for the United States."

The US president said that the Ukrainian president is suffering from a decrease in his soldiers in the battle and at the same time "you tell us that you do not want a ceasefire."

Trump reminded Zelensky that he is not in a position to dictate to the United States and "you have no cards to play without our support."

Security guarantees

For his part, Zelensky responded by saying that security guarantees should be provided to Ukraine and stressed that it was not possible to talk about a ceasefire alone.

"I hope the metals deal will be a step toward providing security guarantees to Ukraine," he said, adding that he was counting on Trump's strong stance to stop Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Zelensky later said: “Thank you to the United States for its support, thank you for this visit, thank you to Trump, Congress and the American people.”

Zelensky reportedly left the White House early after a verbal altercation with Trump in the Oval Office. Al Jazeera's correspondent said the press conference between the two presidents was cancelled.

CNN quoted an informed source as saying that Trump and Zelensky did not sign the metals deal after the verbal altercation between them in the White House.

Fox News quoted White House officials as saying, "Zelensky did not leave the White House because he wanted to, but because Trump fired him." Fox News quoted White House officials as saying that the US administration informed the Ukrainians that Zelensky had to leave the White House.

CNN quoted a White House official as saying that Trump had ordered the Ukrainians to leave.

"It makes us look weak on the world stage and we won't get anywhere with this behavior," said Republican Senator Mark Kelly. "What happened in the White House was chaos and a gift to Putin."

But Republican Representative Victoria Spartz said Zelensky was doing the Ukrainians a very disservice by insulting Trump to please the Europeans, as she put it.

"Thank you President Trump for putting America first," the US Secretary of State said.