Trump and Zelenskyy Clash Publicly at the White House; U.S.-Ukraine Minerals Deal Goes Unsigned
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the White House in Washington, D.C., on February 28, 2025, to meet U.S. President Donald Trump. Under the original schedule, the two sides were to sign a minerals agreement and then hold a joint news conference; under the arrangement the two sides had announced, the agreement would give the United States access to Ukraine's rare earths and other minerals.
During the roughly 45-minute meeting in the Oval Office, the final 10 minutes or so erupted into a heated argument in front of the cameras, with the participants repeatedly talking over one another as the atmosphere in the room sharply deteriorated. Vice President JD Vance told Zelenskyy it was "disrespectful" for him to come to the Oval Office and argue in front of the American media. Trump told Zelenskyy he was "gambling with the lives of millions of people" and "gambling with World War III," and said, "You don't have the cards right now."
Trump also said Zelenskyy would "either make a deal or we're out." Zelenskyy urged caution about Russia's diplomatic commitments. He said Ukraine had reached ceasefires and other agreements with Russia, but that Russian President Vladimir Putin had broken the agreements he had signed 25 times.
After the meeting, the signing of the minerals agreement and the joint news conference were canceled, and the Ukrainian delegation was asked to leave the White House. Trump then posted on Truth Social that he had determined Zelenskyy "is not ready for Peace," adding, "He can come back when he is ready for Peace."
Zelenskyy later posted on X thanking the United States, Trump, Congress, and the American people, and said, "Ukraine needs a just and lasting peace." Appearing on Fox News that evening, he said the public clash had been "bad for both sides."
(Source: The White House)
Source: The White House
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：2025年2月28日，特朗普与万斯在白宫椭圆形办公室与泽连斯基争执。（白宫官方视频截图，公共领域，经 Wikimedia Commons） / Photo: President Trump and Vice President JD Vance clash with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy in the Oval Office on February 28, 2025. (Still from an official White House video, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)
