Clash Between Trump and Zelensky in the White House Oval Office: What Choices Does Ukraine Face?

Clash Between Trump and Zelensky in the White House Oval Office: What Choices Does Ukraine Face?

After a heated exchange in the White House, Zelensky, speaking with Fox News, admitted that without U.S. support, Ukraine would find it difficult to fend off Russian forces.

On February 28, Zelensky and Trump openly clashed in the White House during a meeting where they were supposed to sign an agreement on sharing Ukraine’s mineral wealth and discuss a peace deal with Russia.

Washington: While the heated exchange between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky in the White House on Friday came as a shock, analysts say it was not entirely unexpected, and Ukraine’s future course seems more uncertain than ever.

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, former U.S. President Trump has been critical of the billions of dollars in aid the U.S. has provided, and he has promised to end the war immediately upon regaining power.

On February 12, Trump held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, signaling a possible start of peace talks without involving Ukraine – a move that alarmed Kyiv and sent chills through European capitals.

Since then, Zelensky and European allies in Washington have urged Trump to provide security guarantees before entering any agreement. However, Trump has refused, insisting that he would respect Putin and ensure no deal is broken.

The tension escalated after President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance accused Zelensky of not being sufficiently grateful for U.S. support. Trump remarked that Ukraine could return to peace talks when they are ready. After the Oval Office clash, Zelensky and his delegation were reportedly asked to leave the White House, according to Trump’s press secretary.

International Crisis Group (ICG) senior advisor Brian Finucane said on Friday that the meeting was always going to be fraught with tension.

Ukrainian political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko told the media that there is a long list of actions from the U.S. under Trump’s leadership, which include pressure on Ukraine, the way American officials describe Zelensky, Washington’s assessment of the Ukraine-Russia conflict, and the country’s stance on ceasefire talks.

Following the confrontation in the White House, Zelensky, speaking to Fox News, agreed that without U.S. support, it would be hard for Ukraine to resist Russian forces. He believed that Ukraine could maintain its relationship with America but expressed that they wished Trump would truly stand by them.

In Europe, yesterday’s developments sparked concern. Several European Union powers, including France, Germany, and Britain, quickly reiterated their support for Ukraine.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas issued a strong statement, noting that European powers and Washington’s transatlantic alliance seem to be questioning American leadership.

She wrote on social media, “It is clear today that the free world needs a new leader. This challenge now rests with us, the Europeans.”

A meeting of more than a dozen European leaders will take place on Sunday in London to discuss the war in Ukraine.

New reality: Zelensky under pressure from the US

After this meeting, Zelensky is aware that Washington’s support is no longer unconditional. With Trump’s coming to power, the narrative has changed – there is no more open sending of billions of dollars to Kiev without a clear… pic.twitter.com/jVlqoPeaMg

— Djole 🇷🇸 (@onlydjole) March 1, 2025

European Council President Antonio Costa has also called a special European summit on Ukraine for March 6.

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