A tense meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and former U.S. President Donald Trump took place at the White House on February 28, with Vice President JD Vance also in attendance. Disagreements over U.S. support for Ukraine’s war against Russia quickly escalated into a heated exchange.
Trump pressed Zelenskyy to negotiate with Russia, warning that American assistance was not guaranteed. A leaked video from the meeting shows Trump telling Zelenskyy, “You either make a deal or we’re out.” He added, “You don’t decide how we feel—we do.”
Zelenskyy reaffirmed Ukraine’s commitment to defending itself, but Trump doubled down, saying, “You’ve put yourself in a bad position. You’re gambling with millions of lives. You’re betting on World War III.”
Vice President Vance also questioned whether Zelenskyy had expressed gratitude for past aid, asking, “Have you thanked anyone in this meeting?” He noted that Zelenskyy had campaigned for political rivals in Pennsylvania last October.
The conversation ended abruptly, and a scheduled joint press conference was canceled. Zelenskyy later posted on social media, thanking the U.S. and expressing his commitment to securing peace.
Trump responded on Truth Social, accusing Zelenskyy of resisting peace efforts. “I seek peace, not advantage,” he wrote. “His behavior in the Oval Office was unacceptable. He can return when ready.”
The meeting underscored the widening gap between the leaders’ views, with potential consequences for Ukraine, U.S. foreign policy, and the upcoming election.
