Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to the White House on Feb. 28 ended badly when he felt impelled to begin a rant against President Vladimir Putin after President Donald Trump defended Putin over the Russiagate claims, which had targeted both him and President Putin. Ukraine and the U.S. were originally prepared to sign a deal today, allowing the U.S. to mine rare earth and other minerals in Ukraine, to be announced at a joint press conference later in the day.. Prior to that, as is President Trump’s habit, he arranged for a small press gathering at his meeting with Zelenskyy, before the formal press conference.
The event went on for a little over an hour, and the Ukrainian leader, although bumptious at times, was treated cordially by President Trump. As the press opportunity was nearing the end, a journalist provocatively asked Trump if he were now siding with President Putin. He said he wasn’t siding with either party, but was remaining neutral in order to bring the two sides together.
Then Zelenskyy went on with his familiar speech about how Putin invaded Ukraine and had to be stopped, etc. Vice President J.D. Vance jumped in to contrast what Trump was trying to do, to achieve peace with diplomacy after four years of Joe Biden, who was supporting the war. It was time to take the path of diplomacy, said Vance. Zelenskyy, unable to restrain himself, then started to rant about how Putin had reneged on 25 agreements, even blaming Putin for the breakdown of the Minsk agreements. Vance then proceeded to reprimand him: “I think it’s disrespectful for you to come to the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the American media. Right now, you guys are going around and forcing conscripts to the front lines because you have manpower problems. You should be thanking the President for trying to bring an end to his conflict.”
A hot exchange ensued between Zelenskyy and Vance, and President Trump had finally had enough of Zelenskyy’s bluster, and entered the fray himself. Zelenskyy told Vance, “You are protected by an ocean. You don’t feel it [the war], but you will feel it in the future.” “No, no, no, no,” interrupted Trump. “Don’t tell us what we’re going to feel. We’re trying to solve a problem. Don’t tell us what we’re going to feel. Because you’re in no position to dictate what we’re going to feel. We’re going to feel very good and very strong. You’re right now not—in a very bad position. You’ve allowed yourself to be in a very bad position. You don’t have the cards right now. And he [pointing to Vance] happens to be right about it.”
“I’m not playing cards,” Zelenskyy countered. “Yeah, you’re playing cards,” Trump replied. “You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people. You’re gambling with World War III. You’re gambling with World War III, and what you’re doing is very disrespectful to the country, this country, that’s backed you. Far more than a lot of people said they should have.”
At a certain point, a rather frustrated Trump said, “It’s going to be very hard to do business like this,” and insisting that “attitudes have to change.”
As a result of the disruption, no deal was signed and no press conference took place. Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian delegation were asked first to leave the room, and then to leave the White House. The lunch that had been scheduled before the signing ceremony was thus enjoyed solely by the remaining U.S.officials.
Shortly thereafter, President Trump released a statement on Truth Social: “We had a very meaningful meeting in the White House today. Much was learned that could never be understood without conversation under such fire and pressure. It’s amazing what comes out through emotion, and I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for Peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations. I don’t want advantage, I want PEACE. He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for Peace.”
The White House also issued a statement, “President Trump, VP Vance Are Standing Up for Americans,” opening that: “President Donald J. Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance will always stand up for the interests of the American people and those who respect the United States’ position in the world—and will never allow the American people to be taken advantage of,” and made notes of the exchange between the President and Vice President and Zelenskyy.
After quoting himself saying “Let me tell you, you don’t have the cards. With us, you have the cards—but without us, you don’t have any cards,” the White House statement documents: “More than half (52%) of Ukrainians want a quick end to the war and believe Ukraine ‘should be open to ceding some territory in exchange for peace,’ according to a November Gallup poll. … Since martial law was declared in Ukraine, 1,000,050 Ukrainians have been drafted into military service….” pointing out that the average age of Ukrainian troops is 43 years old!
The statement concludes: “Vice President Vance: ‘You went to Pennsylvania and campaigned for the opposition in October.’” Zelenskyy, who was in New York in September for the UN General Assembly, was flown to Pennsylvania on an Air Force C-17 plane, where he visited an arms plant with the Democratic governor, and publicly made attacks on GOP Vice Presidential candidate J.D. Vance.
