In an unexpected meltdown in the Oval Office, U.S. President Donald Trump abruptly ended a meeting with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday, February 28, saying the leader is “not ready” for peace with Russia, casting doubt on the likelihood of a truce. Under order to sign a US-Ukrainian agreement for cooperative mining of Ukraine’s natural resources as part of a post-war recovery under a peace agreement mediated by the US, Zelensky was scheduled to make a full White House visit.
Almost immediately, however, an unpleasant altercation broke out in the Oval Office, with Trump and Vice President JD Vance yelling at Zelensky and accusing him of not being grateful for the United States’ assistance during the three-year conflict against the Russian invasion. Trump chastised Zelensky, ordering him to be more “thankful” and that Russia would have taken over Ukraine if the US hadn’t helped. “You’re either going to make a deal or we’re out,” Trump stated. “And if we’re out, you’ll fight it out, and I don’t think it’s going to be pretty.”
Shortly after, Zelensky departed in his motorcade without holding the scheduled joint press conference. According to the White House, the resource agreement was not signed. Zelensky was criticized by Trump on his Truth Social platform, claiming that “he disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office.” “Not ready for peace,” Trump wrote of Zelensky. “He can come back when he is ready for peace.”
Trump’s statement that Ukraine must make “compromises” in peace with Russia—which has taken large areas of Ukraine and destroyed entire villages and towns along the way—caused the remarkable meltdown. Deals cannot be made without making concessions. Trump stated, “He will undoubtedly need to make some concessions, but hopefully they won’t be as significant as some people believe.”
Zelensky, meanwhile, referred to Russian President Vladimir Putin and showed Trump images of war crimes, saying there should be “no compromises with a killer on our territory.” “Crazy Russians,” he claimed, invaded his country for three years, deported Ukrainian children, and committed war crimes.
After their meeting in front of a large number of media seemed to start off more amicably, Zelensky and Trump’s long-tense relationship suffered a stunning public meltdown. “I think President Trump is on our side,” Zelensky had stated.
“This is very important; this is what we want to talk about, and it is crucial,” he stated.
Trump’s sudden reversal of US policy, which ended his fervent backing for Ukraine’s efforts to fight the Russian invasion and positioned him as a mediator between Putin and Zelensky, has terrified Kyiv and European allies.
In the Oval Office, Trump claimed to have “spoken on numerous occasions” with Putin, which is more than what has been made public outside of the two leaders’ extended phone conversation earlier this February.
Zelensky had been informed by Trump that a truce was “fairly close.” He said that it would be “very fair” for him to sign an agreement with Zelensky that would permit the US to use Ukraine’s natural resources.
As part of a larger strategy to aid Ukraine’s post-conflict recovery, the resource agreement aims to provide the US with access to rare earth and other vital minerals.
Zelensky advised Trump to travel to his troubled country. “You must come and take a look.”