Instead of signing an agreement on minerals, the meeting at the White House turned into a verbal battle between Trump and Zelensky. The US president accused the Ukrainian leader of ingratitude and disrespect, saying Zelensky was "gambling with World War III". European leaders have extended their support to Kyiv
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky he left the White House after a verbal conflict with the US president Donald Trump who accused him of being ungrateful and disrespectful to the United States, reports Reuters.
A White House official also announced that canceled press conference two presidents, where they were supposed to sign the contract on the use of rare minerals.
Both Trump and Vice President JD Vance accused Zelensky of being ungrateful for three years of US support to Ukraine.
"What you're doing is disrespecting the country -- this country that supported you a lot more than a lot of people thought they should have," Trump said at the meeting.
Vice President JD Vance intervened by claiming that Zelensky disrespected Trump because he came to the Oval Office to argue, which Trump agreed with.
Zelensky replied: "I have a lot of respect for your country."
Blaming Zelensky for not showing enough gratitude for American support, Trump and Vice President Vance accused the Ukrainian president of standing in the way of a peace deal.
"You're not in a very good position right now," Trump said. "You're gambling with World War III."
FULL VIDEO of the heated exchange between Trump, Vance and Zelensky pic.twitter.com/NskL3URZZB
— BNO News Live (@BNODesk) February 28, 2025
Trump: Zelensky is not ready for peace
In a post on his Truth Social social network, the American president announced after the meeting that Zelensky "is not ready for peace if America is involved."
"I found that President Zelensky is not ready for peace if America is involved, because he believes that our involvement gives him a great advantage in negotiations." I don't want an advantage, I want PEACE. He showed no respect for the United States of America in its esteemed Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for peace," Trump said.
Zelensky: Thank you, America
After leaving the White House without signing the minerals agreement, Zelensky took to social media to thank the American people for their hospitality.
"Thank you, America, thank you for your support, thank you for this visit. I thank the President, the Congress, and the American people. "Ukraine needs a just and lasting peace and we are working on it," Zelensky wrote on the X social network.
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.— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Volodymyr Zelenskyy (@ZelenskyyUa) February 28, 2025
European leaders supported Zelenski
After the verbal conflict between Trump and Zelensky in Washington, the Ukrainian president received support from numerous European leaders.
They include French President Emmanuel Macron, outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.
Asked about the reaction to the conflict between the American and Ukrainian presidents, Macron emphasized that Russia is the aggressor, and that the Ukrainians are an attacked people.
"We must respect those who are fighting from the very beginning," the French president told reporters on the sidelines of his visit to Portugal, according to Reuters.
Scholz wrote on his social networks that "no one wants peace more than the citizens of Ukraine."
"That's why we work together to find a way to a lasting and just peace." Ukraine can count on Germany - and on Europe," added the outgoing chancellor.
Nobody wants peace more than the Ukrainians do. Therefore we are working on a common path to a lasting and just peace. Ukraine can rely on Germany – and on Europe.
- Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz (@Bundeskanzler) February 28, 2025
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez joined European leaders in offering support and solidarity to Ukraine after the clash between Trump, Vance and Zelensky. He posted a message on social networks in Spanish, English and Ukrainian: "Ukraine, Spain is with you."
Ukraine, Spain is with you.
Ukraine, Spain stands with you.
Україно, Испания з тобою. 🇺🇦 🇪🇸
- Pedro Sánchez (@sanchezcastejon) February 28, 2025
In addition to the three of them, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gar Støre, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Christerson, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, Irish Minister of Foreign Affairs Simon Harris, Moldovan President Maja Sandu, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fijala and President Petr Pavel, Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof, Luxembourg Prime Minister Luc Frieden and Portuguese President Luis Montenegro also expressed their support for Zelensky.
The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, expressed their support.
Ваша гиднисть вшановую хоробристь українського народу.
Be strong, be kind, be fearless.
You will never be lonely, dear President @ZelenskyyUaWe will continue to work with you for a just and stable peace.
- Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) February 28, 2025
Sources: FoNet/Guardian
A fire broke out in places on the Adriatic coast in the area of Piska and Marušić, east of Omiš in Croatia, and the fire is spreading in the direction of houses. Extinguishing the fire is made difficult by the storm
The Israel-Iran war has grabbed the headlines, but thousands of people in Gaza are losing their lives, homes and dignity every day - without any attention. The humanitarian disaster deepens, while hostages and civilians struggle to survive, completely forgotten
The Human Rights Watch organization warns that the European Union and Great Britain are increasingly treating the Western Balkans as a "warehouse for migrants". In Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the announcement of possible deportations from Great Britain, the issues of security, camp capacity and political will to sign such agreements have been reopened.
The war between Israel and Iran enters its second week. Donald Trump is weighing whether the US should intervene militarily, European officials are negotiating with Iran's foreign minister, and Serbia is evacuating its citizens.
The European Parliament, on the initiative of right-wing parties, voted to form a working group that will examine the financing of non-governmental organizations from the European Union budget. The decision was initiated by right-wing parties
Can the students and the opposition make up for 51 votes in the repeated elections at polling station number 25 in Kosjerić? Is it an impossible mission or another attempt that changes everything
The Serbian Government elected the commander of the "White Eagles", Dragoslav Bokan, as the president of the Board of Directors of the National Theater. Why not read "Aco Serbs" instead of "Your hands are bloody"?
What will Vučić do when his second presidential term expires in 2027. The Constitution does not provide for a third. Maybe he won't go into political retirement
The archive of the weekly Vreme includes all our digital editions, since the very beginning of our work. All issues can be downloaded in PDF format, by purchasing the digital edition, or you can read all available texts from the selected issue.
See all
