A high-stakes meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump took a dramatic turn after a tense exchange in the Oval Office. Trump later took to Truth Social, accusing Zelensky of “disrespecting America” and suggesting he was not committed to peace.
“I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for peace if America is involved because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations. I don’t want advantage, I want PEACE,” Trump wrote. “He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for peace.”
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 28, 2025
The meeting, initially set to finalize a U.S.-Ukraine rare-earth minerals agreement, devolved into a shouting match involving Trump, Zelensky, and Vice President JD Vance. The confrontation, witnessed by White House officials, media personnel, and Ukrainian representatives, reportedly led to the abrupt cancellation of a scheduled joint press conference.
Sources indicate tensions escalated when Zelensky attempted to explain Russian President Vladimir Putin’s diplomatic stance to Vance, prompting the vice president to criticize him for “litigating” in front of the global press and aligning with Democrats during the 2024 election cycle. Trump reportedly interrupted the exchange, telling Zelensky, “You don’t have the cards. You either make a deal or we’re out, and if we’re out, you will fight it out. I don’t think it’s going to be pretty.”
A visibly grim Zelensky left the West Wing after more than two hours, declining to comment. The rare-earth minerals deal, crucial for Ukraine’s economic strategy and U.S. technological advancements, remains in limbo.