Watch: Did Zelensky just call VP Vance a ‘B***’? Hot mic sparks controversy

Multiple social media users claim that Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky was overheard swearing in Russian during a tense exchange with US President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance in the Oval Office.

Zelensky’s high-stakes visit to the White House on Friday reportedly ended abruptly after a fiery confrontation with Trump and Vance, during which the two US leaders accused Zelensky of recklessness over his reluctance to negotiate peace with Russia. They also chastised him for being "disrespectful" and "ungrateful" despite the billions of dollars in military aid provided to Ukraine by Washington.

Tensions Boil Over in Front of the Cameras

At the center of the dispute, Vance pointed to Ukraine’s struggles with military conscription, suggesting that Zelensky should be thanking Trump for his efforts to broker a resolution to the war.

In response, Zelensky snapped back, questioning how the US vice president could possibly understand Ukraine’s crisis without having visited the country firsthand.

Vance fired back, arguing that foreign leaders visiting Kiev were merely given “propaganda tours” designed to mislead international officials about the realities of the war.

The Hot Mic Moment

During the exchange, footage from the meeting appears to show Zelensky briefly turning away and muttering something under his breath—while his microphone was still on.

Although his words are not clearly audible, several Russian and Western social media accounts have suggested that Zelensky said, "suka, blyad." This vulgar Russian phrase—popularized globally as "cyka blyat" by gamers and internet users—can be roughly translated as "b*^% wh%e" or "b*^$, f%$ hell."** The expression is often used not as a direct insult but to convey frustration or anger. It is also common in Ukrainian and sounds nearly identical.

Zelensky Asked to Leave Washington Early

Zelensky had traveled to Washington to finalize an agreement granting the US rights to Ukraine’s natural resources as compensation for military assistance. However, following the Oval Office debacle, both the signing ceremony and the planned press conference were abruptly canceled, and Zelensky was asked to leave prematurely.

In an interview with Fox News, Zelensky described the Oval Office encounter as “not good” but claimed he is unsure whether he “did anything bad.”

Meanwhile, Trump told journalists that Zelensky would be welcome back to the White House only “when he is ready for peace.”