Discussions regarding a potential peace deal between Ukraine and Russia came to a sudden halt on Friday, following a fraught meeting between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The meeting not only led to a canceled press conference but also saw a vital minerals deal being taken off the table. According to a White House official, Trump requested Zelenskyy to leave the meeting, accusing him of disrespecting the United States during their talks.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump expressed his frustration, stating, “I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for peace if America is involved.” Trump elaborated that he believed Zelenskyy perceives U.S. involvement as giving him an unfair advantage in negotiations, saying, “I don't want advantage, I want PEACE.” He further criticized the Ukrainian leader for showing disrespect in the Oval Office, indicating that Zelenskyy could return only when he was prepared to discuss peace.
Zelenskyy’s visit to Washington was intended to advance negotiations aimed at ending the ongoing war in Ukraine, which began with Russia's invasion in 2022. During this visit, a minerals agreement was anticipated, which would facilitate U.S. access to Ukraine’s rich mineral resources in exchange for the support the U.S. has extended to Ukraine throughout the conflict. However, the meeting's outcome was far from fruitful, as tensions escalated between the two leaders.
During the meeting, Trump and Vice President JD Vance accused Zelenskyy of failing to express gratitude for the substantial support the U.S. has provided over the years. Trump compared the situation to a high-stakes card game: “You're gambling with the lives of millions of people. You're gambling with World War III.” This intense exchange highlighted the gravity of the situation for both nations and the stakes involved in the negotiations.
When Vance pointed out Ukraine's challenges with manpower and military recruitment, Zelenskyy countered that war brings problems for everyone, including the U.S. In response to Zelenskyy's assertion, Trump emphasized that the U.S. was trying to solve the issue at hand, admonishing Zelenskyy not to dictate the conversation. The tension continued to mount as Trump reminded Zelenskyy that Ukraine’s situation was dire.
Despite the heated exchanges, Zelenskyy maintained that he believed the U.S. was on Ukraine’s side, emphasizing the need to halt the aggression from Russian President Vladimir Putin. This led to a debate over the relative contributions of the U.S. and Europe in supporting Ukraine. Zelenskyy argued against Trump’s claims that U.S. assistance was significantly greater than European contributions, resulting in a contentious dialogue between the two leaders.
According to the Council on Foreign Relations, Congress has appropriated approximately $175 billion in aid to Ukraine since 2022, while estimates from the Kiel Institute suggest that all European assistance to Ukraine from January 2022 to December 2024 totals around $138.7 billion, which includes the U.S. contributing about $119.7 billion during the same period. These figures underscore the complex dynamics of international support amid ongoing conflict.
In recent weeks, tensions between Zelenskyy and Trump have escalated as the U.S. has engaged in negotiations with both Ukraine and Russia. Following a meeting in Saudi Arabia on February 18, where U.S. officials met with Russian representatives without Ukrainian involvement, Zelenskyy expressed his discontent, stating that no decisions should be made behind Ukraine's back. The exchange between the two leaders evolved into mutual accusations, with Zelenskyy alleging that Trump was perpetuating Russian disinformation.
Despite the heated exchanges, Trump remains optimistic about the potential minerals deal, asserting that negotiations had progressed significantly. He exercised caution in discussing the details of any peacekeeping forces until an agreement was finalized, emphasizing that while a deal seemed imminent, it had yet to be officially concluded. Trump stated, “I think we’re very well advanced on a deal, but we have not made a deal yet,” indicating a cautious approach to the ongoing diplomatic efforts.
As the situation evolves, the world watches closely to see if a resolution can be reached that brings lasting peace to Ukraine and the region.
