Photo: Zelensky squabbled with Trump during meeting on February 28 (GettyImages) Author: Anna Berezina
During the meeting between Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump today, February 28, it came to a quarrel. The parties had a heated discussion about the terms of the ceasefire and US aid to Ukraine. Shortly after the dispute, Zelensky left the White House early.
More details about what happened during the negotiations between Zelensky and Trump can be found on RBC-Ukraine.
Why the quarrel happened: video
The dispute arose in the Oval Office during a meeting between the US and Ukrainian delegations with journalists.
When US Vice President J.D. Vance suggested giving diplomacy a chance to resolve the war between Ukraine and Russia, Volodymyr Zelensky responded that diplomacy with Russia has not worked since 2014 and noted the need for decisive action to stop Russian aggression.
“Putin has occupied a large territory of our country. He occupied Crimea in 2014. He has been occupying territories since 2014. No one stopped him. I even signed an agreement with him, and Merkel and Macron confirmed that there would be a ceasefire and no one would go further. And Putin tore up this agreement. What diplomacy are you talking about? What kind of diplomacy can there be here?” Zelensky said.
To this, Trump responded that “Putin could violate the terms with Bush, Biden, Obama, but not with him.”
The US leader added that Ukraine “does not have strong cards” for negotiating an “end” of the war with Russia. Zelensky responded that he “did not come to the US to play cards.”
In addition, during the meeting, Trump stated that he was acting as a mediator between Ukraine and Russia, wanted to resolve the conflict and did not explicitly support either side.
“I think it's important that the American people see what's going on. You should be grateful,” Trump told Zelensky. “You're running out of soldiers, and you're telling us, 'I don't want a ceasefire, I don't want a ceasefire…'” the US president continued.
Donald Trump also stated in a sharp manner that the world is on the brink of World War III and without US help Ukraine “would not have survived even 2 weeks” after the Russian invasion.
According to the US leader, if Zelensky gets the opportunity to negotiate a ceasefire, it must be used.
“Can you speak from a position of strength without the United States? Your people are brave. Either we make this agreement. Or you leave the agreement. I understand it will be difficult, it will be tough. But you don't have the trump cards. When we sign the agreement, you will be in a better position. But you have to express gratitude. You don't express it. It's not very good. It's not very nice of you,” Trump told Zelensky.
Zelensky leaves White House after dispute
At this point, communication between the parties ended and the delegations went to negotiations behind closed doors.
It soon became known that the Ukrainian president had left the White House early. The final conference between Trump and Zelensky was cancelled.
White House leader Donald Trump made a statement on his social network Truth Social that Volodymyr Zelensky, in his opinion, does not want peace and also showed disrespect in the Oval Office.
“We had a very meaningful meeting at the White House today. I realized that Zelensky is not ready for peace with the U.S. involved because he feels that our involvement gives him a big advantage in the negotiations. I don't want an advantage, I want peace. He disrespected the U.S. in the Oval Office. He can come back when he is,” Trump wrote.
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