With Ukraine’s future within the steadiness, a high-stakes assembly on Friday between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy devolved right into a shouting match.
The gorgeous alternate, earlier than cameras and one in contrast to some other within the Oval Workplace in fashionable instances, noticed Trump and Vice President JD Vance rebuke Zelenskyy for his dealing with of the battle, once more falsely blaming the Ukrainian chief for a battle that started when Russia’s Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion.
Zelenskyy was in Washington to signal an settlement that may give the U.S. entry to Ukraine’s mineral assets. However that was earlier than boiling tensions exploded into public view as Trump and Vance accused Zelenskyy of being “disrespectful” towards the United States and the Trump administration.
Vice President JD Vance speaks throughout a gathering with President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Secretary of State Marco Rubio within the Oval Workplace on the White Home on Feb. 28, 2025 in Washington
Andrew Harnik/Getty Pictures
Their joint information convention, the place they had been to signal the deal, was canceled. Trump issued a terse assertion and Zelenskyy left shortly after. The White Home stated it requested Zelenskyy to depart, which a member of Ukrainian delegation confirmed.
“I’ve decided that President Zelenskyy just isn’t prepared for Peace if America is concerned, as a result of he feels our involvement provides him a giant benefit in negotiations,” Trump stated in a social media submit. “I do not need benefit, I need PEACE. He disrespected the USA of America in its cherished Oval Workplace. He can come again when he’s prepared for Peace.”
Zelenskyy additionally put out a short submit on X: “Thanks America, thanks to your assist, thanks for this go to. Thanks @POTUS, Congress, and the American folks. Ukraine wants simply and lasting peace, and we’re working precisely for that.”
Listed here are key takeaways.
Trump threatens Zelenskyy: ‘Make a deal or we’re out’
After boxing Ukraine and Europe out of preliminary peace talks with Russia, Trump is constant to say Ukraine would not have the “playing cards proper now.”
“You are playing with World Struggle III,” Trump advised Zelenskyy as they talked over one another within the Oval Workplace.
President Donald Trump meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the White Home in Washington, D.C., Feb. 28, 2025.
Brian Snyder/Reuters
The American president then appeared to ship a type of ultimatum to the Ukrainian chief, who he stated was “not in an excellent place.”
“You are both going to make a deal or we’re out,” Trump stated. “And if we’re out, you may struggle it out. I do not assume it may be fairly, however you may struggle it out.”
Vance will get concerned, confronts Zelenskyy
The shouting match unfolded after Vance stepped in to defend Trump’s diplomatic method, together with his talks with Putin, and berate Zelenskyy.
Zelenskyy famous Russia’s aggression, starting in 2014 when Putin’s forces annexed Crimea, has performed out underneath Presidents Barack Obama, Joe Biden and through Trump’s first time period and “no person stopped him.”
“What sort of diplomacy, JD, you’re talking about? What do you imply?” Zelenskyy stated.
Vance demanded to know whether or not Zelensky has stated “thanks” as soon as throughout the assembly. In truth, earlier than tempers flared, Zelenskyy thanked Trump for the invitation and beforehand expressed gratitude a number of instances for U.S. assist all through the battle.
“Mr. President, with respect, I believe it is disrespectful so that you can come into the Oval Workplace and attempt to litigate this in entrance of the American media,” Vance stated to Zelenskyy. “Proper now, you guys are going round implementing conscripts to the entrance traces as a result of you might have manpower issues. You ought to be thanking the president for attempting to carry an finish to this battle.”
Vice President JD Vance speaks whereas attending a gathering between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy within the Oval Workplace of the White Home in Washington, Feb. 28, 2025.
Jim Lo Scalzo/Pool/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Zelenskyy tried to interject to ask Vance if he is ever been to Ukraine to see the destruction.
“Initially, throughout the battle, all people has issues, even you. However you might have good ocean and do not feel now, however you’ll really feel it sooner or later,” he advised Vance.
Trump then jumped in once more to hitch Vance in chastising Zelenskyy. “Do not inform us what we’ll really feel,” Trump advised Zelenskyy. “We’re attempting to resolve an issue. Do not inform us what we’ll really feel.”
Zelenskyy calls Putin a ‘terrorist’
Previous to the blow-up between the leaders, Zelenskyy had harsh phrases for Putin.
“I actually matter in your robust place to cease Putin,” Zelenskyy stated to Trump. “And also you stated that sufficient with the battle. I believe that is crucial being to say these phrases to Putin on the very starting, on the very starting of battle, as a result of he’s a killer and terrorist. However I hope that collectively we are able to cease him.”
The feedback come amid the novel shift in U.S. overseas coverage that noticed the U.S. first maintain peace talks with Russian counterparts. Trump has known as Zelenskyy a “dictator” however has declined to name Putin the identical. On Thursday, Trump stated he trusts Putin to “preserve his phrase” if a deal is reached.
President Donald Trump meets with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy within the Oval Workplace on the White Home in Washington, Feb. 28, 2025.
Saul Loeb/AFP by way of Getty Pictures
On Friday, Trump claimed that he wasn’t “aligned” with Putin.
“I am not aligned with Putin. I am not aligned with anyone. I am aligned with the USA of America, and for the nice of the world. I am alive with the world, and I need to get this factor over with,” Trump stated.
However he then appeared to recommend Zelenskyy was a serious impediment in negotiations: “You see the hatred he is acquired for Putin? It’s totally robust for me to make a cope with that type of hate.”
