Ukraine‘s president Volodymyr Zelensky has sparked suggestions he branded US Vice-President JD Vance a ‘b****’ during their explosive White House row.

Viewers of the televised 45-minute dispute – with US President Donald Trump at the centre – believe he muttered the insult under his breath.

Mr Zelensky is said to have uttered ‘Suka, blyat’ in response to Mr Vance criticising him for an alleged lack of respect, during Friday evening’s confrontation.

The slang phrase, also spelled as ‘cyka’, is variously said to translate in English as ‘son of a b****’, ‘f***ing hell’ or ‘f*** you, b****’.

The Ukrainian president was seen crossing his arms in dismay as both Mr Trump and Mr Vance laid into him, before Mr Zelensky was sent on his way from the Washington DC summit sooner than scheduled. 

The clash between Mr Trump and Mr Zelensky in the Oval Office was broadcast around the world on Friday, with the US President claiming his counterpart was ‘gambling with World War III’.

Mr Trump’s administration has made it clear privately it wants a public apology from Zelensky to mend relations, Bloomberg has now reported.

Media reports from the US suggested Trump considered cutting off all aid to Ukraine following their very public clash.  

Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky (left) was involved in an argument at the White House with US President Donald Trump (centre) and US Vice-President JD Vance (right)

Mr Trump welcomed Mr Zelensky on Friday but their meeting ended sooner than scheduled

Volodymyr Zelensky was pictured setting off from the Washington DC summit an hour early

The Ukrainian leader was  accused of not being grateful enough for US military aid by both the US president and his deputy Mr Vance.

Mr Zelensky was then warmly welcomed the following day at Downing Street by Sir Keir Starmer, with the Prime Minister assuring him of ongoing UK support.

The US President had been accused of acting like a bully at the White House when he told his Ukrainian counterpart to accept a deal with Russia ‘or we are out’.

Video footage of Mr Zelensky’s response to Mr Vance’s comments has gone viral online, with many suggesting he swore under his breath in disgust. 

Among those posting on X, formerly Twitter, was a much-shared user saying: ‘Zelenskyy called JD Vance a “B***” in Ukrainian.’

Replies included remarks such as ‘This is the least diplomatic exchange ever’, ‘I like him more and more’ and ‘Harsh but fair’.

Other viewers have speculated that Mr Zelensky was expressing general frustration rather than directing his words at Mr Vance, with one saying: ‘It’d be more of an observation than calling him anything.’

Another wrote: ‘If he said that, it can simply be swearing out of anger, which is understandable.’