Zelenskyy not ready for peace, Trump says after public spat

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President Donald Trump, right, meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office Associated Press / Mystyslav Chernov

Zelenskyy not ready for peace, Trump says after public spat

Update, 3:15 p.m., 2/28/2025:

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy disrespected the United States and is not ready for peace, U.S. President Donald Trump wrote after a tumultuous Friday meeting at the White House. Ukraine won’t settle for peace if they have the advantage of American support while negotiating with Russia, he wrote. Zelenskyy can come back when he’s ready for peace, he added.

Earlier, a live-streamed press conference devolved into the leaders talking over each other and raising their voices. Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance accused Zelenskyy of disrespect and not being thankful for U.S. support. Trump and Zelenskyy had been expected to announce a deal allowing the United States to access Ukraine’s natural mineral supplies. The deal now seems to be canceled.

What did Zelenskyy say afterward? Zelenskyy followed up after the meeting by thanking Trump, Congress, and the American people for their support and for allowing him to visit. Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working for that, he wrote in a social media post.

The Trump administration has been meeting with Russia and Ukraine separately while trying to negotiate an end to their war, but Ukraine and European leaders have pushed for involvement in all peace talks.

What triggered the disagreement? Vance described diplomacy as the only remaining solution to end the over three-year war in Ukraine. Zelenskyy took issue with this suggestion and pushed for more guarantees of peace from Russia, recounting Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s long history of breaking ceasefire agreements. The vice president responded by highlighting Ukraine’s struggle to recruit men and fund its war with Russia, adding that Zelenskyy’s attempt to appeal to U.S. media from the Oval Office was disrespectful.

Zelenskyy then insisted that sooner or later the United States would feel the effects of the ongoing war. Trump insisted Zelenskyy was in no position to dictate how the United States would feel regarding the war. Ukraine is in big trouble and its only chance of coming out intact is through the United States, Trump said. Zelenskyy needed a more appreciative attitude because Ukraine doesn't have the pull to win without America, the president added.

Dig deeper: Read Elizabeth Russell’s report for more background about the now-stalled mineral deal.

Original post, 2 p.m. 2/28/2025:

Trump, Ukrainian president openly spar at White House press conference

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump openly disagreed in a press conference from the Oval Office on Friday.

At different points in the conference, Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance said Zelenskyy was disrespectful for trying to “litigate” his issues before U.S. news media. The press conference devolved into the leaders talking over each other and raising their voices.

Earlier at the conference, Zelenskyy said he would not accept a ceasefire without a security guarantee. Trump said he wasn't opposed to sending weapons to Ukraine but he hoped not to send too many more.

Zelenskyy had traveled to Washington for talks with Trump. The two were expected to work on a deal that, if signed, would grant the United States access to Ukraine’s rare minerals. The Trump administration has been meeting with Russia and Ukraine separately while trying to negotiate an end to their war, but Ukraine and European leaders have pushed for involvement in all peace talks.