How did we get to Trump's on -camera quarrel with Zelenski

It was really a breathtaking spectacle, a controversy between Trump and Zelenski directly transmitted to the whole world from the US Oval Office, As we haven't seen before. This is because until recently the controversy between leaders usually became behind closed doors, and in front of the cameras everyone was wearing their « diplomatic mask ».

The US president's highly meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart was accompanied by increased expectations to improve the relations between the two leaders, which would seal an agreement on the critical minerals of Ukraine.

Indeed, Trump welcomed Zelenski to the White House, he categorically stressed: « The deal will be signed soon. »

However, the situation has evolved very badly … People who were present at the Oval Office describe a coordinated attempt by Vice President Vance to drag Zelenski. Trump took the baton and the tones went up, with the US president essentially pushing the Ukrainian leader from the White House.

« Many were learned that they could never be understood without the discussion being under such fire and pressure, » he wrote shortly afterwards on Truthsocial, referring to a « meaningful meeting at the White House » … and continued writing: « It is amazing what is going on, It gives us a great advantage in the negotiations. I don't want an advantage, I want peace. He did not respect the United States of America in their precious oval office. He can come back when he is ready for peace. « 

Raising his voice in Zelenski, who had repeatedly mentioned his need for US security guarantees, Trump said: « You don't have the papers right now. . You play with the lives of millions of people. Gambling with the Third World War. « 

The US president, who has attacked his Ukrainian counterpart many times in recent weeks, has given Zelenski ultimatum, saying that you will either « make an agreement (for war) or we will leave ».

The conflict has doubted the future course of any trial effort of the three -year war. While Trump has pushed for a rapid agreement with Russia and Ukraine, Kiev said that no deal would be stable without US security support.

The controversy shocked the Ukrainians who were waiting to attend the signing of a mineral agreement.

Following the intensity caused, the scheduled joint press conference was canceled, and as a White House official pointed out, no agreement on critical minerals was signed.

'Open to the deal Trump'

Trump felt « disrespectful » to the « rhetoric and behavior of Zelenski, » a White House official told Reuters after leaders' clash at the Oval Office. He added, however, that he did not exclude an agreement with Zelenski.

However, it is up to the Ukrainians to reschedule a meeting while Zelensky is still in the country, the official said.

Embarrassment in Europe

European officials were unaware of the scenes from the Oval Office, with a higher diplomat concluding that « we are alone » and describing the Trump government as « independent ».

« We must finally wake up and realize: 'This is,' the diplomat added to the Financial Times.

Zelenski said previous discussions with President Vladimir Putin, who began after the annexation of Crimea in 2014, failed to stop Russia from attacking Ukraine again.

« He broke the ceasefire, killed our people, » Zelenski said. « What kind of diplomacy are you talking to us? » He said in response to Vice President JD Vance that the US is trying to do diplomacy.

« From the beginning of the war, we were alone, » Zelenski added.

.@Vp: « Do you think that is respectful to come to the oval office of the United States of America and Attack the Administration that is trying to prevent the destruction of your country? »@Potus: “You don't have the cards right now. With us, you start Hating Cards… You're… pic.twitter.com/ityyyamfucj

– Rapid Response 47 (@rapidrespons47) February 28, 2025

To follow the reprimand by Vance: « Do you think it is respected to come to the Oval Office of the United States of America and attack the government that is trying to prevent the destruction of your country? »

Zelenski said, « During the war, everyone has problems, even you, but you have a nice ocean and you don't feel it now, but you will feel it in the future. »

Then Trump interrupted him: « Don't tell us what we will feel, we are trying to solve a problem. Don't tell us what we will feel. « 

« I'm not telling you … » the Ukrainian president said.

« You're not able to dictate this. You are not able to dictate what we will feel, « Trump said.

And raising his voice, he said: « You don't have the papers right now … You're playing gambling with the lives of millions of people. You play with the third world war. You play with the Third World War and what you do is very disrespectful to the country. « 

« The problem is that I have given you the opportunity to be a tough guy and I don't think it would be a tough guy without the United States, » the US president said.

Donald Trump put pressure on Volodimir Zelenski to formalize the minerals between the US and Ukraine.

« Either you will make a deal or we will leave. And if we leave you have to fight. I don't think it will be beautiful, « the US president said to Zelenski

« Once we sign this deal, you will be in a much better position, but you are not grateful. And that's not nice. I will be honest. It's not a nice thing. « 

According to reports, however, what led to the rupture was not the verbal confrontation you can read below, but disagreements that were made in a debate that was not in public view. According to some of them, Zelenski raised the condition to receive security guarantees to grant minerals, which he had not yet managed to include in the agreement. Trump allegedly responded to him again. It is also said that Zelenski asked for an American LNG in return.

Ukraine's ambassador to the USA Oxana Markarova was seen holding her head in her hands as she watched the intense confrontation between Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski and President Donald Trump on Friday, according to a photo taken by Ka.

The Ukrainian Ambassador had Her Head in Her Hands by This Point. pic.twitter.com/ahnsgwbqob

– Kaitlan Collins (@Kaitlancollins) February 28, 2025

Source: ot.gr