Trump-Zelensky Meeting Implodes --- U.S. president scolds Ukrainian leader, leaves proposed deal on minerals unsigned

"President Trump excoriated President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine, accusing him of "gambling with World War III" in a meeting that was supposed to reset relations between Washington and Kyiv but devolved into a clash that ended when Trump cut Zelensky's White House visit short.

The two leaders didn't sign a proposed mineral deal as planned and canceled a joint news conference.

"He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office," Trump wrote in a social-media message. "He can come back when he is ready for Peace."

Ukraine had sought the meeting to line up U.S. support against Russia, which it hoped to solidify with the mineral agreement. But tensions between Zelensky and Trump burst into the open in the Oval Office as the Ukrainian leader urged the U.S. not to trust President Vladimir Putin of Russia and Trump responded that Kyiv needs to accept that it has a weak negotiating hand, three years after events in Ukraine started.

After a half-hour of a generally polite discussion, the tone grew fractious, with disagreements that typically occur behind closed doors. The abrupt ending left unclear how much military and political support the Trump administration was prepared to provide to Kyiv. Not long after the contentious meeting, Trump ordered his top national security staff to review whether the U.S. could temporarily or fully pause weapons deliveries to Ukraine, a senior administration official said.

As reports of the Oval Office clash reverberated internationally, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke by phone to Trump and Zelensky and said that Britain retained "unwavering support for Ukraine," according to the prime minister's office. European leaders from countries including France, Spain, Norway and Poland also voiced support. Zelensky and other European leaders were scheduled to attend a meeting in London on Sunday.

The White House clash muddied the prospects that a European peacekeeping force could be readied to secure a settlement if one is negotiated, since European leaders have signaled that U.S. military support would be needed. French and British leaders had met with Trump earlier this past week to appeal for a U.S. "backstop" for such a force and set the stage for what they hoped would be a constructive Zelensky-Trump meeting.

After Zelensky left, Trump said that the Ukrainian leader had wanted to return to the White House, but that he had other matters to attend to. Asked what Zelensky has to do to restart talks, Trump replied: "He's got to say, 'I want to make peace.'"

"That is not a man who wants peace," said Trump, who complained during the Oval Office session about Zelensky's "hatred" for Putin. He declined to directly answer a question about whether he would cut off military assistance to Ukraine.

Zelensky said later that he is ready to pursue negotiations but that Ukraine would need Western-backed security guarantees for any agreement to hold, assurances that Trump has been reluctant to provide.

"We are ready for peace, but we have to be in a strong position," Zelensky said in an interview on Fox News.

Earlier, on X, he had sought to reassure Americans -- and Trump -- that he appreciates their support, writing, "Thank you America, thank you for your support, thank you for this visit. Thank you @POTUS, Congress, and the American people. Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for that."

The contentious Oval Office session took place shortly after Zelensky arrived at the White House, and Trump brought reporters in for what is typically a brief greeting. Others there included Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Trump volunteered that he had spoken to Putin in recent days, said that he believes that the Russian leader will stick to a peace deal if one is reached. But Zelensky sought to explain to Vice President JD Vance that Ukraine had signed agreements with Russia that Moscow had subsequently broken.

Vance, and later Trump, said Zelensky hadn't been grateful enough for U.S. assistance. Without U.S. military equipment, Ukraine "would have lost the war in weeks, Trump said. He added: "You have to be thankful." At one point, Trump told Zelensky he is "gambling with World War III." He provided a dire picture of Ukraine's military situation. "You are running low on soldiers," Trump said. "You're not in a good position . . . you don't have the cards."

As the back-and-forth grew heated, Trump said he wanted Americans to see it, calling it "great television." Zelensky urged Trump and Vance to visit Ukraine, but Vance dismissed foreign leaders' trips there as propaganda tours.

Zelensky had met with a bipartisan group of U.S. senators earlier Friday. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D., Conn.) said the Ukrainian leader had been "positive and upbeat" at the breakfast. "I am hopeful that this White House conversation won't derail progress toward strengthening support for Ukraine," he said.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.) told reporters at the White House that he had lunch with Trump after the Oval Office meeting and that the president was shocked by the exchange.

Graham said he told Zelensky before the meeting not to take the bait if Trump or his advisers challenged him. Following the blowup, Graham said Zelensky needs to resign or "he needs to change."

Daniel Fried, a former U.S. ambassador to Poland now at the Atlantic Council think tank, said the rupture would play into Russia's hands. "I see no U.S. interest served by this blowup and fighting with Zelensky," he said. "Who benefits? Putin benefits."

The past few weeks have been rocky for Kyiv. After Zelensky refused to sign an earlier version of a mineral-rights agreement, Trump called him a "dictator" and accused Kyiv of starting the conflict. More troubling for Zelensky, the U.S. began talks with Russia that didn't include Ukraine." [1]

America seems to be right. Even America is not able to talk to Zelensky, who avoids peace, trying to stay in power.

1. Trump-Zelensky Meeting Implodes --- U.S. president scolds Ukrainian leader, leaves proposed deal on minerals unsigned. Gordon, Michael R; Linskey, Annie; Lovett, Ian.  Wall Street Journal, Eastern edition; New York, N.Y.. 01 Mar 2025: A1.