- Trump and Zelenskyy minerals deal breaks down in heated exchange
- Zelenskyy told to leave the White House early
- The World shows appreciation and support for Zelenksyy and Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s meeting with Donald Trump at The White House turned into a heated exchange when the pair clashed over Russia’s war against Kyiv.
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At the Oval Office on Friday 28 February, President Trump and his vice president, JD Vance accused Zelenskyy of being disrespectful to the United States of America. Trump told Zelenksyy he wasn’t thankful for the US military aid and that he is “gambling with World War Three”.
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Trump and Zelenskyy repeatedly interrupted and spoke over each other in front of the media, which was supposed to be a prelude to the two leaders signing a minerals deal. Vance attempted to diffuse some of the tension, asking Zelenksyy to “just say thank you, accept that there are disagreements and let’s go litigate those disagreements instead of trying to fight it out in front of American media when you’re wrong. We know you’re wrong”.
Why did Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump meet?
Zelenskyy went to Washington expecting to sign a deal that would give the United States access to Ukrainian oil, gas and rare minerals, in exchange for possible aid in the future. The Ukrainian President rejected previous versions of the agreement, saying that the terms would have left his country in debt.
It was the first face-to-face meeting between the two Presidents since Trump’s inauguration. Prior to Zelenskyy’s visit, Serhii Fursa, deputy director of Ukrainian investment firm Dragon Capital, who has been following the minerals deal closely, said “I do not think President Zelenskyy will enjoy this trip personally. He just has to do it”. And how right he was.
The meeting appeared to be going smoothly at first, until Vance said that the “path to peace and the path to prosperity is maybe engaging in diplomacy.” Kelensky was quick to fire back, asking “What kind of diplomacy, J.D., you are speaking about?”.
Zelenskyy was referencing Russia’s aggressive behaviour before it invaded Ukraine in 2022. “Nobody stopped him”, he said of Russian President Vladimir Putin
It was another comment though that drew visible anger from President Trump. After Vance challenged Zelenskyy over problems he’s had with the military he replied, “During the war, everybody has problems, even you. But you have a nice ocean and don’t feel [it] now, but you will feel it in the future”. This was Zelenskyy reminding Trump of the dangers of appeasing Putin and Russia.
With his voice raised, Trump interjected “Don’t tell us what we’re going to feel. You’re in no position to dictate that. You don’t have the cards right now”.
Zelenskyy was eventually told to leave the White House early and his scheduled news conference with Trump was cancelled.
The World reacts
Their heated dispute has triggered reactions from world leaders, but not before Trump and Zelenskyy themselves took to social media to air their thoughts.
Trump posted on the Truth Social social media app, which he owns, writing that Zelenskyy was “not ready for peace if America is involved. He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for peace”.
Meanwhile, Zelenksyy took to X to thank the U.S. for its support, posting “We are very grateful to the United States for all the support. I’m thankful to President Trump, Congress for their bipartisan support, and American people. Ukrainians have always appreciated this support, especially during these three years of full-scale invasion”.
In a statement released by Downing Street, it said that UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer “retains his unwavering support for Ukraine and is playing his part to find a path forward to a lasting peace, based on sovereignty and security for Ukraine”.
Former Russian president, Dmitry Medvedev, who now serves as deputy head of the Russian Security Council, wrote on Telegram “For the first time, Trump told the cocaine clown the truth to his face: The Kyiv regime is playing with the Third World War. And the ungrateful pig received a strong slap on the wrist from the owners of the pigsty. This is useful. But it’s not enough – we must stop military aid to the Nazi machine”.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said, “Ukraine can rely on Germany and on Europe. No one wants peace more than the citizens of Ukraine! That is why we are jointly seeking the path to a lasting and just peace”.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Antonio Costa and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola all told Zelenskyy in a joint post: “Your dignity honors the bravery of the Ukrainian people. Be strong, be brave, be fearless”.
