Allies of Donald Trump, the former US president, have continued their criticisms against Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky following a highly charged meeting held at The White House last Friday. After a dispute over peace strategies with Russia, it is reported that the meeting was prematurely ended.
U.S. officials have also expressed concerns over Zelensky’s conduct during the meeting, and about his view on United States aid to Ukraine in the midst of the Russia-Ukraine crisis. According to sources, the conflict was sparked by Zelensky’s comments regarding negotiations for peace with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
It is important to understand the core issue
The visit of President Zelensky was aimed at finalizing an agreement on economic security. The U.S. could secure mining rights for some of Ukraine’s important rare earth reserves under this possible deal. The agreement will compensate Ukraine for its substantial military assistance since the Russian invasion of 2022. Then, everything was changed by a brief press conference.
In an interview with the press in the Oval Office President Zelensky raised the question of whether it was possible to pursue peace agreements between President Putin and the Ukrainian government. Zelensky noted that Ukraine previously signed such agreements with Russia which Putin then ignored. The heated discussion between Trump and Zelensky took place in front of journalists. Trump accused Zelensky reportedly of “gambling on World War III” while Vice President JDVance allegedly reminded Zelensky about a perceived ingratitude for U.S. aid.
Zelensky, the president of the United States, left the White House without signing any agreement. Trump said that the current situation would make it difficult to continue negotiations.
Key Details
Leading Republicans have appeared on talk shows Sunday mornings to defend Trump and condemn Zelensky. House Speaker Mike Johnson The R-LA, appearing on CNN stated that the Ukrainian Leader behaved in an “inappropriate” manner.
Johnson explained, “President Trump tried to offer an agreed-upon agreement that was within bounds, and a win for all, but President Zelensky behaved so insensitively. In my opinion.” The potential agreement on mineral rights could have been a great solution for ending the conflict. I had hoped that President Zelensky understood this and showed some gratitude.
I’ve been to many bilateral meetings with dignitaries and heads of states. A certain protocol exists. His conduct was a shock to all,” said the House speaker during the CNN interview.
In a time of great danger for his nation, Zelensky reprimanded his guests instead of expressing gratitude. Johnson asserted that Zelensky should have been eager to sign this contract.
Johnson attempted to clarify last year his aid to Ukraine, saying he wanted “to allow Ukraine to sustain and position themselves for peace talks.” He said that he wanted Ukraine “to hold the line and eliminate innocent deaths until President Trump returned to the Oval Office.”
Johnson stated, “I was certain that this was what was going to occur, and I was confident that he was the man who would bring the two parties together on the international stage.” We are at that exact time.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, speaking on CBS News’ Face The Nation with Margaret Brennan, suggested that Zelensky’s actions have “thrown off the sequencing” of peace negotiations, implying responsibility for the lack of progress toward a peace agreement.
“I don’t know what President Zelensky was thinking,” Bessent stated. “We had President Emmanuel Macron of France in on Monday, a great meeting. We had Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday, another fantastic meeting. They were aligned on the peace agreement.”
“All President Zelensky had to do was come in and sign this economic agreement and again, show no daylight, no daylight between Ukrainian people and the American people, and he chose to blow that up,” Bessent said.
The treasury secretary further commented, “I think we have to see if President Zelensky wants to proceed. What’s the use of having an economic agreement that’s going to be rendered moot if he wants the fighting to continue? President Trump wants a peace deal.”
Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard reinforced the idea that Trump and Zelensky have fundamentally “different aims in mind.” She told Shannon Bream on Fox News Sunday that Zelensky “wants to end this war, but he will only accept an end, apparently, that leads to what he views as Ukraine’s victory, even if it comes at an incredibly high cost of potentially World War III or even nuclear war.”
Gabbard continued, “We’re seeing this big divergence here between his [Trump’s] position and his commitment to these values and the interests of the American people and the interests of President Zelensky and these European leaders. This is an issue that has to be resolved. I know President Trump is committed to doing this, and that’s really where the next step needs to lead.”
Gabbard highlighted the crucial point of contention underlying Friday’s incident: Zelensky’s apparent distrust of Russia versus Trump’s belief that Putin’s cooperation is essential for progress. She accused Zelensky of demonstrating a “lack of interest in any real good-faith negotiations.”
“There were a lot of conversations that were happening through different emissaries, both for Zelensky and for President Trump, leading up to his visit there, to the Oval Office and President Zelensky’s immediate escalation there was, frankly, quite a surprise,” Gabbard said Sunday.
“This has created a huge riff in the relationship,” she continued. “President Zelensky, as you pointed out in the clips that you played, doesn’t believe that that he did anything wrong, that there was no issue with what he brought up in the Oval Office with President Trump. There’s going to have to be a rebuilding of any kind of interest in good faith negotiations, I think, before President Trump is going to be willing to re-engage on this.”
When Bream challenged Gabbard regarding Zelensky’s “valid point” about “skepticism that Putin is actually going to be a reliable partner in whatever deal comes together,” Gabbard insisted that Trump was elected to end the war, and that required “bringing interested parties to the table to conduct these negotiations.”
“Of course, both sides are going to have their arguments and their interests that they are fighting for,” Gabbard said. “This is the reality of how these negotiations always occur. During times of war, neither side is going to be happy, very likely, with the outcome, but ultimately, it needs to lead to peace, and that’s what President Trump is so committed to.”
Public Statements
President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social on Friday: “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.”
President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on X on Friday: “Thank you America, thank you for your support, thank you for this visit. Thank you @POTUS, Congress, and the American people. Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for that.”
What’s Next?
President Zelensky is currently in the United Kingdom, engaging with world leaders, including a meeting with King Charles III on Sunday.
Following the Oval Office disagreement, European leaders, almost unanimously supportive of Zelensky, have advocated for an immediate summit to discuss strategies for peace talks with Russia. The U.K. and France have pledged to collaborate with Zelensky in drafting a new ceasefire proposal to present to both the U.S. and Russia in the coming weeks.