28.02.2025 23:10
The meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Zelensky at the White House was marked by a dispute between the two leaders. After leaving the White House, Zelensky made his first statement. Referring to the accusation made during the discussion that he had not "thanked" Trump, Zelensky expressed his gratitude separately to Trump, Congress, and the American people.
US President Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Zelensky for the first time at the White House after taking office, and the discussion was marked by a heated exchange between the two.
"COMING TO THE OVAL OFFICE IS DISRESPECTFUL"
Zelensky, while complaining that the US administration, including previous presidents, did not stop Russian President Vladimir Putin, reacted to Vice President JD Vance, who was present at the meeting, saying, "Mr. President, I think it is disrespectful for you to come to the Oval Office to try to bring this issue up in front of the American media." Vance stated that the US is trying to help Ukraine while dealing with problems, while Zelensky mentioned that every country has problems, but the distant US does not feel it.
"YOU EITHER SIGN THIS AGREEMENT OR WE DON'T EXIST"
In response, Trump told Zelensky, "You either sign this agreement or we don't exist. You are gambling with World War III. Don't tell us how we should feel. We are trying to solve a problem. Don't tell us how we should feel because you are not in a position to dictate that. You are not in a position to dictate how we should feel. We will feel very good. We will feel very good and very strong."
"YOU ARE DISRESPECTING OUR COUNTRY"
Trump, saying "You are disrespecting our country, I know you cannot win without us," indicated to Zelensky that he had no cards to play. Trump stated, "We will sign the rare earth elements agreement today. This agreement we will make with Ukraine will be a very fair agreement and will be a significant commitment from the US."
"WE GAVE 350 BILLION DOLLARS BECAUSE OF A 'STUPID' PRESIDENT"
Donald Trump claimed that the US provided 350 billion dollars in aid to Ukraine because of a 'stupid' president and argued that Zelensky could win if he worked with them. Trump stated that a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine is inevitable, saying, "First, we need to negotiate the agreement; we are now starting to outline the terms of the agreement."
"YOU HAVE TO MAKE CONCESSIONS"
Trump, who stated that they needed to reach an agreement with Zelensky first and that he was not currently worried about security guarantees, said, "You always have to make concessions, and he (Zelensky) will definitely have to make concessions." Trump thanked Zelensky and his soldiers for what they did during the war, stating that they fought a very difficult struggle, but this work needed to end now.
ZELENSKY: WE WILL NEVER ACCEPT JUST A CEASEFIRE
Ukrainian President Zelensky expressed hope that the agreement to be reached with the US would be a step forward for Ukraine. Stating, "Today I want to discuss with President Trump what the US is ready to do," Zelensky noted that the current text for the rare earth elements agreement is "not sufficient." He pointed out that Putin started the war and that he should also be responsible for Ukraine's reconstruction. Zelensky stated, "We will never accept just a ceasefire. We will not act without security guarantees."
JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE CANCELED, ZELENSKY LEFT THE WHITE HOUSE
After the heated exchange between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office, the joint press conference was canceled, and Zelensky left the White House.
FIRST STATEMENT FROM ZELENSKY
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made a statement on social media following his tense meeting with US President Donald Trump. Referring to the accusation that he did not 'thank' him during the discussion, Zelensky thanked Trump, Congress, and the American people separately. Zelensky used the following expressions: "Thank you, Trump, Congress, and the American people. Ukraine needs a fair and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for that."