A meeting in the Oval Office between President Donald Trump and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky quickly turned to strife on Friday, February 28. The Ukrainian leader came to Washington to hash out the details of a deal that would grant the US partial access to Ukraine’s minerals in return for help ending the war with Russia. Zelensky reportedly asked Trump what his message would be for allies worried that he’s working too closely with Russia’s Vladimir Putin. Trump raised his voice, calling what Zelensky was doing “disrespectful,” and adding, “you don’t have the cards.”
President Trump called the war an unacceptable drain on American resources, and pressed for a swift end. Things turned heated after Zelensky pushed for security guarantees from the US, saying, “we will never accept just ceasefire.”
“You’re in no position to dictate what we’re going to feel,” Trump said. “You don’t have the cards right now.” Before reporters were then escorted out of the room, the president told his Ukrainian counterpart that he was “gambling with World War III.”
President Trump cut the meeting short and posted in a social media statement:
“We had a very meaningful meeting in the White House today. Much was learned that could never be understood without conversation under such fire and pressure. It’s amazing what comes out through emotion, and 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. He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for Peace.”
Ukraine President Zelensky posted his own statement to X: “
