Breaking down the heated exchange between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, US President Donald Trump and Vice-President JD Vance at the White House.
Trump accused Zelenskyy of being “not ready for peace”, and an anticipated minerals deal was not signed.
European leaders expressed solidarity with Zelenskyy.
A confrontational White House meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump drew exasperation and fear from European and Ukrainian observers, as Kyiv’s hopes of aligning Trump’s view of the war with its own dwindled with each heated exchange.
“I’m just crying because of what I hear,” a Ukrainian politician said of the meeting, speaking on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation.
Just the word “wow” is how Oleksandr, 40, a Ukrainian military officer fighting in Russia’s Kursk region, responded to footage of the argument.
“We still have a lot of work to be done,” he wrote. “Better war, than shameful peace.”
Zelenskyy left the White House early today, forgoing a planned news conference. And Trump made his position clear after the meeting in a post on Truth Social, saying the Ukrainian leader is “not ready for peace”, and accusing him of disrespecting the United States. “He can come back when he is ready for peace,” Trump said.
In a brief statement after the meeting, Zelenskyy thanked Trump, “Congress, and the American people”, adding that “Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for that”.
Thank you America, thank you for your support, thank you for this visit. Thank you @POTUS, Congress, and the American people. Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for that.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 28, 2025
European officials, meanwhile, rallied around Zelenskyy today, with several politicians and diplomats expressing shock and dismay. European leaders, including in Spain, Lithuania, Moldova, Sweden, Latvia and Norway, among others, all posted messages in solidarity with Zelenskyy.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk wrote on X: “Dear Zelenskyy, dear Ukrainian friends, you are not alone.”
French President Emmanuel Macron reiterated his support for Ukraine in remarks to reporters today. “I think we were all right to help Ukraine and sanction Russia three years ago and to continue to do so. And when I say we, it’s the United States of America, the Europeans, the Canadians, the Japanese, and many others,” he said. “These are simple things, but they are good to recall at this moment.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy departs after meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House on Friday. Photo / Jabin Botsford / The Washington Post
The combative exchange was met with shock, and in many cases fury, across the political spectrum in Britain.
The White House fireworks came one day after British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s own meeting with Trump. The meeting highlighted mutual good feelings with the mercurial President that were greeted as at least tentatively hopeful signs that Washington could be brought along in support not just for US-UK relations but for Ukraine, as well.
That optimism was quickly swept away as news of the Oval Office shouting match spread. A Conservative Party member described Trump’s and Vice-President JD Vance’s treatment of Zelenskyy as “stomach churning”. Several members of Parliament called on Starmer to revoke the invitation for a visit with King Charles that he had extended to Trump a day earlier.
US Vice-President JD Vance told Zelenskyy he was being disrespectful during a meeting with Trump at the White House. Photo / AFP
Senior Conservative Party leader Robert Jenrick said in a post on X that he was “sickened by that degrading spectacle”.
“And to think the bust of Winston Churchill was in the same room as it unfolded,” Jenrick posted. “He would be turning in his grave if he saw that happen. Ukraine’s people, led by President Zelenskyy, have fought bravely to hold off Putin.”
Ed Davey, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, posted on X: “This is thuggery from Trump and Vance, plain and simple. They are bullying the brave true patriot Zelenskyy into accepting a deal which effectively hands victory to Russia. Unless the UK and Europe step up, we are facing a betrayal of Ukraine.”
There was no immediate reaction from the Prime Minister’s office. Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who has been friendly with Trump but also a staunch supporter of Zelenskyy, also did not comment publicly immediately.
Ukrainian political analyst Maria Zolkina commended Zelenskyy for his approach to the meeting despite previous criticisms of his emotional style of communication.
“I fully and completely support and commend how he held himself,” Zolkina said. “In today’s show … Zelenskyy was not only himself but also embodied each of us: when your main ‘card’ is your right to have your own country, your dignity, and the courage to defend it.”
Zelenskyy’s top adviser, Andriy Yermak, appeared to defend that approach in a statement on X.
“I support the President as he defends the interests of our heroic nation. In every situation,” Yermak wrote. “We are grateful to those who stand with us.”
Still, the reaction in Ukraine was not all unreserved praise.
“Only the Kremlin is happy about the current situation,” said Ukrainian opposition lawmaker Mykola Kniazhytskyi, who called the emotional tenor of the meeting unfortunate. “The American people should be sure: Ukrainians want peace most of all.”
