International

Drama as Trump-Zelensky Meeting Cancelled After Argument

Published

1 month ago

Feb 28, 2025.

Dennis

Trump accuses Zelenskyy of lacking gratitude, warning, “You’re gambling with World War III.”
Heated exchange with Trump and VP J.D. Vance leads to cancellation of planned agreement.
Rising tensions raise doubts about future U.S. support for Ukraine amid ongoing war.

A meeting between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office on Friday turned tense, as Trump rebuked Zelenskyy for what he described as a lack of gratitude for U.S. support.

“You’re not acting at all thankful,” Trump told the Ukrainian leader, accusing him of being disrespectful and warning, “You’re gambling with World War III.”

Zelenskyy was in Washington to finalize an agreement granting the United States access to Ukraine’s rare earth and critical minerals. Trump stated that both leaders would sign the deal at a White House event later in the afternoon.

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However, the diplomatic atmosphere deteriorated as the meeting played out in front of television cameras, with raised voices and interruptions marking the unusually contentious exchange. “It’s going to be a tough deal to make because the attitudes have to change,” Trump remarked, hinting at the underlying tensions.

The situation escalated further when Vice President J.D. Vance accused Zelenskyy of being “disrespectful” for addressing grievances in front of the American media. The Ukrainian leader, unfazed, responded pointedly: “Have you ever been to Ukraine? Have you seen the problems we have? Come once.”

Zelenskyy continued, emphasising Ukraine’s dire circumstances: “Everybody has problems, even you. But you have nice ocean and don’t feel now. But you will feel it in the future.”

The heated discussion came on the heels of an extended question-and-answer session with reporters, during which Trump defended his diplomatic approach with Russian President Vladimir Putin. “I’m not aligned with anybody,” Trump stated. “I’m aligned with the United States of America, and for the good of the world, I’m aligned with the world. I want to get this thing over with.”

Vance backed Trump’s position, calling it an exercise in “diplomacy,” a remark that prompted a sharp response from Zelenskyy. The Ukrainian president reminded those present that Putin had repeatedly violated past agreements, expressing skepticism about the viability of negotiations.

Vance, in turn, accused Zelenskyy of using the meeting as a public relations maneuver. “You’re trying to litigate this in front of the American media,” Vance charged, going further to allege that Zelenskyy had engaged in “propaganda tours” and had effectively campaigned for Democrats in Pennsylvania during the election.