Photo: SAUL LOEB / AFP / Getty Images
President Donald Trump told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to "come back when he is ready for peace" after a heated exchange at the White House on Friday (February 28). The meeting, initially intended to discuss a deal over Ukraine's rare earth minerals, turned into a confrontation between the leaders. Trump and Vice President JD Vance criticized Zelenskyy for not being sufficiently grateful for U.S. support, leading to a shouting match.
The meeting's abrupt end dashed hopes for a minerals deal and highlighted tensions between the United States and Ukraine. Trump has taken a tougher stance on Ukraine, calling Zelenskyy a "dictator" and falsely accusing Ukraine of starting the war with Russia. During the meeting, Vance suggested diplomacy as the path to peace, but Zelenskyy countered, citing Russia's past violations of agreements.
"He killed our people, and he didn't exchange prisoners," Zelenskyy said about Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Vance accused Zelenskyy of disrespecting the U.S. by litigating the issue in front of the media, while Trump accused Zelenskyy of gambling with World War III. Trump emphasized the U.S.'s role in empowering Ukraine and warned that without a deal, the U.S. might withdraw its support.
