Lalit K Jha
PTI, Washington (Via www.5wh.com), February 28, 2025
Following an unprecedented war of words with President Donald Trump and Vice President J D Vance in the full glare of the American media in the Oval Office, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (or Zelensky) left the White House in Washington DC on Friday afternoon (Saturday NZT) in a hurry and dejected.
“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 do not want an 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,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social, moments after their Oval Office meeting ended.
The scheduled White House press conference was cancelled, and Zelenskyy, who had come to the White House with high hopes for a peace talk, collapsed for all practical purposes.
According to a White House spokesperson, the Minerals Agreement between the US and Ukraine was also not signed.
How the spat began
It all began when Zelenskyy started talking about the invasion of Crimea by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“I think that it is disrespectful for you to come to the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the American media; you should be thanking the President for trying to bring you into this conference,” Vance said, responding to the comments from Zelenskyy.
Zelenskyy interrupted mid-way and asked: “Have you ever been to Ukraine? Have you seen the problems we have? Come once.”
Vance said: “I have actually watched and seen the stories, and I know what happens is you bring people. You bring them on a propaganda tour, Mr President, are Do you disagree that you have had problems bringing people into your military, and do you think that it is respectful to come to the Oval Office of the United States of America, and attack the Administration that is trying to prevent the destruction of your country?”
Zelenskyy responded, “Everybody has problems, even you. But you have a nice Ocean and do not feel it now. But you will feel it in the future.
Trump’s response
Trump then responded.
“You do not know that. Don’t tell us what we are going to feel. We are trying to solve a problem,” Trump said as the three leaders started talking over each other.
“We are going to feel very good and very strong. You are right now not in a very good position. You have allowed (yourself) to be in a very bad position,” Trump said and accused Zelenskyy of playing with the lives of millions of people.
“You are gambling with the lives of millions of people. You are gambling with World War Three. You are gambling with World War Three, and what you are doing is very disrespectful to the country; the country that has backed you far more than a lot of people say they should,” Trump said, raising his voice.
“Have you said thank you once in this entire meeting?” Vance asked Zelenskyy. “A lot of times,” responded the Ukrainian leader as they continued talking over each other.
“You think that if you will speak very loudly–” Zelenskyy told Vance. Trump interjected in this conversation.
“He is not speaking loudly. Your country is in big trouble. Wait a minute, no, no, you have done a lot of talking. Your country is in big trouble,” Trump said.
“I know,” agreed Zelenskyy.
“You are not winning. You are not winning this. You have a damn good chance of coming out okay, because of us. You have to be thankful that you do not have the cards. You are buried there. You people are dying. You are running low on soldiers. Listen, you are running low on soldiers,” Trump told Zelenskyy.
If Russia breaks the ceasefire?
At this point, a reporter asked: “What if Russia breaks the ceasefire?”
Trump responded: “What if anything? What if a bomb drops on your head right now? Ok… I don’t know. They broke it with Biden, because Biden, they did not respect him. They did not respect Obama. They respect me. Let me tell you, Putin went through a hell of a lot with me. He went through a phoney witch hunt where they used him and Russia, Russia, Russia.”
”I think we have seen enough,” Trump said as the media appearance ended abruptly so did the meeting. The press conference was cancelled, and Zelenskyy left the White House immediately.
The stand of Zelenskyy
Zelenskyy arrived in Washington, DC on Thursday (February 27). This marked his fifth visit to the White House, with the previous four taking place during President Biden’s administration.
White House officials said that the Agreement on Mineral Resources was not signed. On February 26, Ukraine’s Cabinet approved the decision to sign the Agreement.
Before his trip to Washington, Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine must first know where the United States stands on its continued military support.
“It is important for me and all of us in the world that America’s assistance is not stopped,” he said.
Zelenskyy added that the Mineral Agreement may be part of future security guarantees, but he wants to understand the broader vision: What awaits Ukraine?
Zelenskyy had previously met Trump on three different occasions.
On September 25, 2019, Zelenskyy met Trump at the UN General Assembly in New York, following the controversial “do us a favour” call that led to Trump’s first impeachment.
On September 27, 2024, the two met amid tensions over Ukraine’s defence and the US election.
Trump told Fox News that they both wanted a “fair deal” to end the conflict.
On December 7, 2024, Zelenskyy, Trump, and French President Emmanuel Macron met in Paris, where they discussed peace, security guarantees for Ukraine, and preventing future aggression.
On February 12, 2025, Trump and Zelenskyy spoke by phone about ending Russian aggression, following Trump’s call with President Putin.
As of December 2024, the US Congress has allocated US$ 183 billion for the US response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with US$ 39.58 billion remaining available for obligation, according to the Special Inspector General’s report to Congress. Not all appropriated funds have been spent or sent to Ukraine, as nearly US$ 50 billion has been used to support US military operations in Europe and enhance NATO readiness.
Lalit K Jha is a Journalist at 5WH. The above Report, which appeared at www.5wh.com has been reproduced as per their consent.
