How the Trump-Zelensky relationship evolved after explosive Oval Office meet

Driving the news: The two leaders are expected to meet at the White House Friday to discuss how to spark meaningful peace talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Here's a timeline of what we know about the relationship between the two men:

Feb. 19: Dictator Zelensky

A few weeks before meeting Zelensky in the Oval Office, Trump called his counterpart a "dictator without elections."

• Ukraine, similar to the United States, has a law postponing elections during times of war.
• "I love Ukraine, but Zelenskyy has done a terrible job, his Country is shattered, and MILLIONS have unnecessarily died – And so it continues," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Feb. 28: The explosive shouting match

Zelensky visited the White House shortly after to discuss a potential minerals deal, have lunch and hold a joint press conference.

• The pleasantries shattered after an on-camera discussion about how Putin had violated previous peace agreements devolved into a shouting match, with Trump accusing Zelensky of "gambling with World War III."
• Trump also took issue with Zelensky's wardrobe, which Trump insisted was inappropriate for an Oval Office visit.

International allies rushed to back Zelensky after he was asked to leave the White House, as did Democrats on the Hill.

• The White House later said it was not a premeditated ambush to make Zelensky more agreeable to America's preferred mineral deal guidelines.

After the visit, Trump posted on Truth Social that Zelensky had "disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office."

• "He can come back when he is ready for Peace," Trump wrote.

April 23: "GET IT DONE"

Trump said Zelensky had "no cards to play" after Ukraine rejected a U.S.-backed peace agreement that included recognizing Crimea as a Russian territory and blocked Ukraine from joining NATO.

• "Ukraine will not legally recognize the occupation of Crimea," Zelensky told reporters. "There is nothing to talk about. It is against our constitution."

Trump fired back in a lengthy Truth Social post.

• "It's inflammatory statements like Zelenskyy's that makes it so difficult to settle this War," he wrote.
• "We are very close to a Deal, but the man with "no cards to play" should now, finally, GET IT DONE."

April 26: 15 minutes in Rome

The two leaders met a few days later on the sidelines of Pope Francis' funeral to again discuss peace.

The meeting inside St. Peter's Basilica was the first time the two had spoken since their explosive argument in February.

• The White House called the brief huddle "very productive."

Later that day, Trump criticized Putin on Truth Social.

• "It makes me think that maybe he doesn't want to stop the war, he's just tapping me along, and has to be dealt with differently, through 'Banking' or 'Secondary Sanctions?' Too many people are dying!!!" Trump wrote.

May 25: "Everything out of his mouth causes problems"

Trump posted a stinging rebuke of Putin on Truth Social after the Russian president launched a particularly deadly attack on Ukraine and failed to commit to a ceasefire.

• "He has gone absolutely CRAZY! He is needlessly killing a lot of people, and I'm not just talking about soldiers," he wrote.

Trump didn't spare Zelensky, writing that "everything out of his mouth causes problems, I don't like it, and it better stop."

July 1: Weapon shipments paused

The Pentagon paused some shipments of precision munitions, including air defense missiles, following a Defense Department review of U.S. military support to other nations.

• The following week, the Pentagon announced it would be sending Ukraine additional weapons after Trump told Zelensky that America wanted to help Ukraine blunt Putin's escalating attacks.

July 14: 50 days and $10 billion in weapons

Trump announced mid-July that he will sell $10 billion in weapons to NATO, with the supplies eventually reaching Ukraine.

Aug. 18: Zelensky brings backup to D.C.

Zelensky and a gaggle of European leaders arrived in D.C. the week after Trump and Putin met without the Ukrainian president at an inconclusive summit in Alaska.

• The meeting ended without substantial policy agreements but was significantly more cordial than Zelensky's prior Oval Office visit.

Oct. 16: Zelensky's Back

• Zelensky touched down in D.C. on Thursday, for a trip to both the White House and also to meet with energy companies and members of Congress.

Go deeper: Inside the Oval: How Trump sent Zelensky home with no deal and no meal