Oval Office Showdown Ends in Fallout as Zelenskyy Leaves Without Signing Minerals Deal or Holding Press Conference
Washington, D.C., March 1: A high-stakes meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy descended into a heated exchange, with Trump accusing Zelenskyy of refusing to pursue an immediate ceasefire with Russia.
The confrontation, witnessed by media personnel and White House officials, ended with Zelenskyy leaving the White House early, skipping a scheduled press conference and the signing of a much-anticipated minerals agreement.
“He [Zelenskyy] doesn’t want to do that… I want it to end immediately. I want a ceasefire now,” Trump told reporters after the meeting.
Trump: “Either We End It, or He Fights It Out”
Trump reiterated his stance that the war should end immediately through a ceasefire, suggesting that without US support, Ukraine cannot win.
“All of a sudden, he’s a big shot because he has the US on his side. Either we’re going to end it, or let him fight it out. Without us, he doesn’t win,” Trump stated.
He further accused Zelenskyy of focusing too much on criticizing Russian President Vladimir Putin, rather than actively seeking peace.
“Zelenskyy has to say, ‘I want to make peace.’ He doesn’t have to stand there and talk about Putin. His people are dying, and it’s time to stop the death,” Trump added.
US Support in Question as Zelenskyy Pushes for “Just and Lasting Peace”
Trump suggested that Ukraine lacks the leverage to dictate the war’s outcome, emphasizing that a negotiated deal is the only viable solution.
“I just want to get a deal done, and if the deal happens, good. But you can’t embolden somebody who does not have the cards,” Trump remarked.
US Vice President JD Vance, who was also present, advised Zelenskyy to be more grateful for Trump’s efforts to prevent Ukraine from being wiped out by Russia.
Meanwhile, Zelenskyy took to X (formerly Twitter) to reaffirm Ukraine’s position, posting:
“Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for that.”
Fallout: What’s Next for US-Ukraine Relations?
With Zelenskyy leaving Washington without securing a minerals agreement or reinforcing ties with the Trump administration, the future of US support for Ukraine remains uncertain. As Trump pushes for a ceasefire and Zelenskyy insists on a “just peace,” tensions between Kyiv and Washington continue to rise.
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Trump vs Zelenskyy, US-Ukraine Relations, Oval Office Clash, Ukraine War, Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks, White House Diplomacy, JD Vance, Geopolitical Tensions, Ceasefire Negotiations, Global Diplomacy