Trump, Vance, Zelenskyy Spar at White House Meeting

by Sharon Rondeau

(Feb. 28, 2025) — President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy had exchanged blunt, acerbic words at the White House early Friday afternoon as Zelenskyy visited with the expectation he would sign an agreement with the United States on rare-earth minerals.

The abrasive and at-times heated conversation took place as Trump told Zelenskyy he should accept the agreement drawn up this week for the sale of Ukraine’s rare-earth minerals, which does not hinge on the U.S. providing assurances for Ukraine’s security.

During the 2024 campaign and afterward, Trump made it clear he wants the war to end and has pressed for a ceasefire agreement between Ukraine and Russia about which Zelenskyy is apparently reticent.

“You are gambling with World War III,” Trump lectured Zelenskyy, and “not acting at all thankful” for the “$350 billion” the U.S. provided to Ukraine since the outbreak of the war.

The conflict has cost many more lives on both sides than has been reported, Trump has said, and has proved devastating to those surviving with injuries.

If Zelenskyy accepted the “deal,” Trump said, he would be in a stronger position to reach an agreement with Russia to cease hostilities.

For part of the meeting, Zelensky sat with his arms crossed facing reporters silently; at others, he defended himself in fluent English to Trump and Vance.

Earlier it was reported Zelenskyy was in Washington to sign the rare-earth minerals “deal” after spurning diplomacy efforts by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent when he visited Ukraine on February 12.

Zelenskyy voiced his objections to engaging in the “diplomacy” Vance strongly recommended as stemming from Russian president Vladimir Putin’s February 2022 invasion of his country and killing of its citizens.

“The president is trying to save your country,” Vance told Zelenskyy. “Your country’s in big trouble,” Trump added, faulting the “stupid” Joe Biden for “giving” Ukraine the $350 billion in aid without asking for anything in return.

“You have to be thankful. You don’t have the cards. You’re running low on soldiers,” Trump told Zelenskyy. Over cross-talk, he continued, “Obama gave you sheets, and I gave you javelins,” referring to Obama’s actions following Russia’s 2014 invasion of Crimea and Trump’s following first term, during which he provided 210 Javelin anti-tank missiles in 2018 as reported by ABC News.

According to USA Today, the Obama regime extended “‘technical expertise’ to help reform Ukraine’s financial system.” Obama also placed “sanctions” on Russia.

A press conference was scheduled for 1:00 p.m. EST which Trump appeared to indicate in a 1:16 p.m. TruthSocial post will not take place:

At approximately 1:30 p.m., Fox News confirmed the press conference to be canceled.

As of 1:37, a black government vehicle with American and Ukrainian flags was parked outside the White House entrance where Zelenskyy had been received, but Zelenskyy had not emerged. According to Fox, Trump felt “disrespected” and asked Zelenskyy to depart.

At 1:41 p.m., Zelenskyy quickly emerged from the White House and got into the back seat of the vehicle.

A group of people, presumably the press, then emerged and quickly walked away.

“Did you sign the minerals deal?” a reporter shouted.

“No deal signed, no joint press conference,” Fox’s Jacqui Heinrich stated as the black vehicle pulled away. The lunch to be consumed among Zelenskyy, his entourage and the Trump administration was “sitting” unserved and would be offered to White House staffers, Heinrich added.

Zelensky is scheduled to sit for an interview with Brett Baier at 6:00 p.m., various anchors said, also to be conducted in English without an interpreter.

As of 2:00 p.m., it is unclear if Zelenskyy is departing the United States.