President Donald Trump meets with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington on February 28, 2025.
| Photo Credit: AP
It all seemed to be going so well. Then things between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy went jaw-droppingly wrong, jaw-droppingly fast.
Also read: Trump-Zelenskyy clash in White House LIVE updates
In a few astonishing minutes, a diplomatic photo opportunity in the Oval Office that was meant to be a step on the path to peace between Ukraine and Russia descended into a blazing row that has left Kyiv’s fate hanging in the balance.
Trump-Zelenskyy open spat in the Oval Office
Despite tensions after Mr. Trump’s recent outreach to Ukraine’s mortal foe Russia — and his calling Mr. Zelenskyy a “dictator” last week — they had managed to strike a cordial tone for the first 40 minutes.
As two former television personalities, they both knew how to play to the cameras. They shook hands. Ex-reality TV star Mr. Trump gently joked about Mr. Zelenskyy’s outfit, a less military-style shirt than Ukraine’s war-time leader normally wears.
Former comedian Mr. Zelenskyy, at the White House to sign a deal on rare minerals and to keep Mr. Trump on side, kept things toned down as they sat in armchairs beside each other and fielded questions.
Then, suddenly, things exploded.
What followed was perhaps one of the most extraordinary scenes ever to play out in the Oval Office, the hallowed heart of the presidency where U.S. leaders have long hosted their foreign counterparts.
‘Disrespectful’
It was Vice President JD Vance who lit the touch paper for the meltdown in relations.
Mr. Vance accused Mr. Zelenskyy of not being “thankful” for U.S. support when the Ukrainian leader questioned his calls for “diplomacy” with Moscow.
“I think it’s disrespectful of you to come to the Oval Office and litigate this in front of the American media,” said Mr. Vance, sitting on a sofa near the two leaders.
As the temperature rose, Mr. Zelenskyy folded his arms and asked Mr. Vance if he had ever been to Ukraine, prompting the Vice President to angrily accuse Mr. Zelenskyy of leading “propaganda tours.”
But then it was Mr. Trump’s turn to get involved.
When Mr. Zelenskyy said that despite being an ocean away from Europe “you will feel it in the future” if you don’t help Kyiv, Mr. Trump was incensed.
“Don’t tell us what we are going to feel,” Mr. Trump said, raising his voice.
After that, the floodgates opened.
All the tensions that have bubbled since Mr. Trump spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 12 boiled over — and not behind closed doors, but in the full glare of the world’s media, including AFP journalists.
“You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people. You’re gambling with World War III, and what you’re doing is very disrespectful to this country,” Mr. Trump said.
Red faced and furious, Mr. Trump wagged his finger at Mr. Zelenskyy as his voice rose higher. At one point he lightly shoved Mr. Zelenskyy’s upper arm with his hand as he made his points.
‘Great television’
For Mr. Zelenskyy it turned into an ambush, as the gruff-voiced Ukrainian kept trying to make his points while Mr. Trump berated him.
“Please, you think that if you will speak very loudly…,” he said to Mr. Vance at one point, before Mr. Trump leapt in.
“He’s not speaking loudly,” said Mr. Trump.
When Mr. Zelenskyy asked if he could answer, Mr. Trump continued: “No, no, you’ve done a lot of talking. Your country is not winning.”
The U.S. President — long skeptical of U.S. support for Kyiv — then delved into a litany of grievances about Ukraine.
Mr. Trump even expressed solidarity with Kremlin chief Putin.
Editorial: Art of the deal: On Trump and a Ukraine mineral deal
“Let me tell you, Putin went through a hell of a lot with me, he went through a phony witch hunt,” said Mr. Trump, referring to an investigation during his first term into whether his 2016 election campaign colluded with Moscow.
As the clash continued for some five minutes, reporters frantically filmed and tapped on their phones, while a Ukrainian diplomat buried her head in her hands.
“You’re either going to make a deal or we’re out,” said Mr. Trump, making clear that this breach was real.
Finally Mr. Trump called a halt and journalists were escorted out.
An hour or so later, Mr. Zelenskyy abruptly left the White House and a minerals deal signing ceremony was canceled.
The collapse of U.S. support for Ukraine against Russia, at least for now, had played out in real time.
In Moscow, the Kremlin rubbed its hands, hailing Mr. Trump’s “restraint” against “scumbag” Zelenskyy. But for Mr. Trump, ever the political showman, some instincts die hard.
“This is going to be great television, I will say that,” he said as the meeting wrapped up.
Published – March 01, 2025 06:45 am IST
