Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky returns to the Oval Office today for the first time since a spectacularly tense exchange with US President Donald Trump saw their talks cut short and question marks raised over future US support.
At the 28 February meeting, Mr Trump and US Vice President JD Vance berated Mr Zelensky on live television, accusing him of being ungrateful for US aid provided since Russia's invasion three years prior, and pressing for quick negotiations to end the war.
The hostile confrontation marked a turning point in Kyiv-Washington relations, which had been warm under former US president Joe Biden, and raised fears that Mr Trump would cut off US military support.
The scene quickly devolved at the end of a long question-and-answer session with the press.
Mr Vance accused Mr Zelensky of being "disrespectful" and displaying ingratitude for Mr Trump's diplomatic efforts, after the Ukrainian leader expressed scepticism that Russian President Vladimir Putin could be trusted given his repeated violations of earlier agreements.
As Mr Zelensky defended his position in his non-native English, Mr Trump was enraged by the Ukrainian leader's suggestion that while the United States was currently far from the fighting, "you will feel it in the future" if they appeased Mr Putin.
"You don't know that. You don't know that. Don't tell us what we're going to feel. We're trying to solve a problem. Don't tell us what we're going to feel," railed Mr Trump, before adding: "You're not in a good position. You don't have the cards right now."
Watch: Donald Trump berates Volodymyr Zelensky in Oval Office in February
As tempers flared, Mr Vance demanded Mr Zelensky thank the United States for the billions provided to Kyiv in military aid.
"Have you said 'thank you' once?" he asked. When Mr Zelensky attempted to respond, he was silenced by Mr Trump.
"No, no. You've done a lot of talking. Your country is in big trouble," said Mr Trump, cutting Mr Zelensky off.
The Ukrainian leader left the White House shortly after, without signing a mineral rights deal that was a key reason for his visit.
In the ensuing days, the United States temporarily cut off military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine, heightening European fears that Mr Trump would side with Mr Putin in trying to end the conflict.
Leaders met at Vatican and NATO summit
However, much water has since flowed under the bridge.
Mr Trump, who has in the past expressed his admiration for Mr Putin, began to lose patience with the Russian leader, as Moscow kept up its military offensive even as US special envoy Steve Witkoff engaged in feverish diplomacy to achieve a ceasefire.
In April, Mr Trump met with Mr Zelensky at the Vatican, and accused Mr Putin of "tapping me along" without delivering on promises.
Days later, Ukraine and the United States finally signed a minerals deal, which Mr Trump had earlier referred to as compensation for US aid.
The two leaders also met face-to-face in June on the sidelines of the NATO summit at The Hague.
On Friday, Mr Trump met with Mr Putin in Alaska to discuss the Ukrainian conflict, promising to run any proposals by both Ukraine and its European allies before agreeing to a deal.
Shortly after the Putin summit, Mr Trump invited Mr Zelensky to the Oval Office.
Perhaps wary of the contours of the previous diplomatic dust-up, Mr Zelensky quickly said he was "grateful for the invitation".
European leaders will join Mr Zelensky in Washington today, seeking above all else to prevent another Oval Office meltdown - but also to coordinate on the path toward peace negotiations, especially on how to prevent any future Russian invasion.
On the latter front, the Trump administration says it is now open to providing Ukraine security guarantees, a shift hailed yesterday by Ukrainian and European leaders.
Mr Zelensky is expected to meet one-on-one with Mr Trump first, before they are joined by European leaders, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen, a European government source said.
According to US broadcaster CNN, Mr Zelensky's former sparring partner - Mr Vance - will also be present.
