On February 28, President Trump, met with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy in the Oval Office. The meeting intended to salvage a mining deal the US negotiated with Ukraine, a step towards Trumps goal of reaching a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. Instead it ended in a fiery dispute with Zelenskyy saying the meeting “did not go the way it was supposed to be.”
Harsh words were exchanged throughout the meeting, including Trump’s ultimatum: “You’re either going to make a deal or we’re out, and if we’re out, you’ll fight it out.”
A back-and-forth dispute broke out. Zelenskyy warned Vice President Vance that even though the US may not feel the war right now, they will feel it in the future. Trump responded saying “don’t tell us what we’re going to feel” and argued the US is “trying to solve a problem” suggesting Ukraine is not.
Mark Kelly, the Democratic senator from Arizona said Zelenskyy was “cornered” and “bullied in the Oval Office,” and many instances covered by the media can support the claim. As the conference began, Zelenskyy was immediately chastised for his clothing by Brian Glenn, a chief White House correspondent from the conservative cable television network Real America’s Voice. Zelenskyy was dressed in a military style black sweatshirt with the Ukrainian Trident emblem, commemorating the soldiers fighting in Ukraine.
Glenn repeated twice his question of why Zelenskyy was not wearing a suit, and even said, “A lot of Americans have problems with you not respecting the dignity of this office.”
Following the meeting, Trump and Zelenskyy had very different approaches to mending the situation. On the following Tuesday, Zelenskyy made a post on X stating, “It is time to make things right. We would like future cooperation and communication to be constructive.” Meanwhile Trump halted military aid to Ukraine and wrote in a social media post, “He disrespected the United States”…”in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for Peace.”
For more information:
Trump and Zelenskyy key takeaways: Oval Office meeting explodes into shouting match
Trump and Zelenskyy Meet in New York as Election Holds High Stakes for US Support for Ukraine
How Criticism of Zelensky’s Clothing Made It to the Oval Office
