Just hours before the meeting, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina cautioned Zelenskyy against engaging in conflict with Trump. “Don’t take the bait,” Graham advised, urging the Ukrainian leader to avoid heated arguments over security agreements.

A pivotal White House meeting between President Donald Trump and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy quickly grew contentious on Friday. The Associated Press reported that Trump and Vice President JD Vance berated Zelenskyy in the Oval Office for seeking security guarantees as Trump tries to end the Russian war with Ukraine.

"Don't take the bait," the South Carolina Republican cautioned, urging Zelenskyy to avoid engaging in contentious debates over security agreements, according to The New York Times. "I said, don't get into arguments about security agreements,