13:43Vice President JD Vance addresses a gathering with President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in the Oval Office at the White House on Feb. 28, 2025, in WashingtonAndrew Harnik/Getty Images
With the future of Ukraine at stake, a crucial meeting on Friday between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy escalated into a heated argument.
This remarkable exchange, witnessed by cameras and unprecedented in the Oval Office in recent history, featured Trump and Vice President JD Vance criticizing Zelenskyy for his management of the conflict, again wrongly attributing the war’s inception to the Ukrainian leader, which commenced with Russia’s Vladimir Putin initiating a large-scale invasion.
Zelenskyy traveled to Washington to finalize an agreement that would permit the U.S. access to Ukraine’s mineral resources. However, escalating tensions swiftly became evident when Trump and Vance accused Zelenskyy of being “disrespectful” to the United States and the Trump administration.
Vice President JD Vance addresses a gathering with President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in the Oval Office at the White House on Feb. 28, 2025, in WashingtonAndrew Harnik/Getty Images
Their scheduled news conference, intended for signing the deal, was called off. Trump released a brief statement, and Zelenskyy departed shortly after. The White House indicated it requested Zelenskyy to leave, a detail confirmed by a member of the Ukrainian delegation.
"I have concluded that President Zelenskyy is not prepared for Peace if America is involved, as he perceives our involvement as giving him a significant advantage in negotiations," Trump stated in a social media post. "I don't seek an advantage, I desire PEACE. He showed disrespect to the United States of America in its esteemed Oval Office. He may return when he is ready for Peace."
Zelenskyy also shared a short message on X: "Thank you America, thank you for your support, thank you for this visit. Thank you @POTUS, Congress, and the American people. Ukraine requires just and enduring peace, and we are striving for that."
Here are the main points.
Trump warns Zelenskyy: 'Make a deal or we're out'
After sidelining Ukraine and Europe from the initial peace discussions with Russia, Trump maintains that Ukraine does not possess the "cards right now."
"You're risking World War III," Trump cautioned Zelenskyy as they spoke over one another in the Oval Office.
President Donald Trump meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House in Washington, D.C., Feb. 28, 2025.Brian Snyder/Reuters
The American president then appeared to issue a sort of ultimatum to the Ukrainian leader, whom he claimed was "not in a very good position."
"You're going to either strike a deal or we're out," Trump declared. "And if we're out, you'll have to handle it. I don't believe it's going to be pretty, but you'll have to handle it."
Vance intervenes, confronts Zelenskyy
The argument escalated after Vance intervened to support Trump's diplomatic stance, including his discussions with Putin, and reprimanded Zelenskyy.
Sourse: abcnews.go.com
