Oval Office Chat With Zelenskyy Deteriorates Fast, for the Whole World to See
So much for the art of the deal.
Or for claiming the role of peacemaker. Or for getting a job done.
The remarkably public brouhaha that exploded before cameras in the Oval Office yesterday between Donald Trump and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy was so contentious and contemptuous that it was a diplomatic disaster.
As we saw repeated in televised replays, the already tension-filled meeting towards signing a deal framework for the United States to grab future revenues from the mining and sale of rare minerals, oil and gas in Ukraine to repay U.S. aid for resisting Russia fell apart completely — in public.
Shouting, Trump furiously threatened Zelenskyy. “You’re either going to make a deal or we’re out,” adding, “And if we’re out, you’ll fight it out and I don’t think it’s going to be pretty.” He said Zelenskyy was being “disrespectful.”
As with few diplomatic or other international events, the cameras kept rolling as Trump, Zelenskyy and Vice President JD Vance devolved into tantrum-like demands for Zelenskyy to simply show gratitude to the U.S. and to accept any terms for turning over mineral rights. Forget the number of times that Zelenskyy has thanked this country, opening this meeting by saying thank you to Trump, or that Vance voted against continued U.S. aid for Ukraine.
Instead, Trump and Vance berated with Zelenskyy with defensive remarks about Putin’s broken promises not to invade Ukraine. Trump repeated his false misrepresentations about how much aid the U.S. has provided, as compared with Europe, and angrily mixed Putin love with Zelenskyy criticism and random attacks on Biden and Obama. Claiming his own “toughness,” Trump accused Zelenskyy as gambling with World War III.
In a relative instant, the meeting was over, and likely, formal U.S. government efforts to help Ukraine. The formal White House statement was that Zelenskyy “is not ready for Peace” and that he “can come back when he is ready for Peace.”Basically, Trump kicked Zelenskyy out of the White House.
Trump, who had presented himself as playing the neutral arbiter rather than ally, made clear he is siding with Russia’s Vladimir Putin, whom he chooses to believe, regardless of history’s broken promises. He acted like a childish adversary, slip-sliding to near inchoate shouting. Zelenskyy has proved a credible and brave ally who represents the victim here; Trump has proved himself a chump to the aggressor Putin.
The Would-Be Deal
Diplomats are supposed to be able to figure out how to discuss difficult issues; that is what diplomacy is. Secretary of State Mario Rubio was silent throughout.
The set-up for the meeting already was tense. Trump wanted gratitude and lots of money. Zelenskyy wanted U.S. assurances for security into the future, assurances that were not forthcoming. America First apparently means only that, right now and into the future.
As it stood, the unsigned deal framework remains a monument to forced acceptance of terms for Ukraine’s survival, and an abridgment of America’s values for independence. Trump’s deal imposes tribute from a vassal state, putting the value of money over the defense of democracy — and sets the stage to offer Russia and Vladimir Putin an open invitation for future aggression against Ukraine and the other abutting former Soviet satellites.
What has stood in the way — just as in the Middle East — is a practical plan for security before Ukraine will agree to give up land. Trump didn’t want to talk about that.
No one opposes the desire to end the war, and Trump likely is right in thinking all parties are worn down, making a ceasefire possible. But the nature of Trump’s conduct in getting to this point is more than troubling. It is a heavy-handed marker for the big powers to carve up the world and abandon democratic aspirations.
The deal on the table is a diplomatic sham that only pretends to include Ukrainian interests when Trump can only see imagined business investments ahead for those who would profit from war.
How we explain who Americans have become in only a matter of weeks under Trump is a stumper. There still are Russian attacks in Ukraine, we have crossed our European allies, we have emboldened Russia and China, we have ended foreign humanitarian aid, and we are taking down our own government. Make America Great Again indeed.
The World Reacts
Whenever you welcome guests, treat them with kindness, grace and respect. Simple as that.
— Richard Branson (@richardbranson) February 28, 2025
Trump and Vance’s meeting with Zelensky in the Oval Office today “gave the lie to any claim that this administration’s policy is driven by any strategic effort to advance the interests of the United States, however misguided,” @davidfrum.bsky.social writes.
Read more: theatln.tc/SowY3Uin
— The Atlantic (@theatlantic.com) February 28, 2025 at 1:46 PM
No, Trump has destroyed America in the eyes of the world. https://t.co/ANnBxuIkAX
— Garry Kasparov (@Kasparov63) February 28, 2025
Trump and Vance have declared themselves to be on Russia’s side in the Russo-Ukraine war. This is a catastrophic mistake for America’s national security. And let’s be clear: Trump and Vance now personally own that policy. It is not the view of a majority of Americans of… pic.twitter.com/jDGFfh4Wn9
— John Bolton (@AmbJohnBolton) February 28, 2025
Generations of American patriots, from our revolution onward, have fought for the principles Zelenskyy is risking his life to defend. But today, Donald Trump and JD Vance attacked Zelenskyy and pressured him to surrender the freedom of his people to the KGB war criminal who… https://t.co/oMoWZ7FmBL
— Liz Cheney (@Liz_Cheney) February 28, 2025
This is utterly repulsive!
Trump and Vance just tried to humiliate Zelensky live on American TV, smugly demanding gratitude while openly mocking him like playground bullies counting favors. My respect for Zelensky—and my embarrassment as an American—just surged off the charts.… pic.twitter.com/0C4d03PDmi
— Brian Krassenstein (@krassenstein) February 28, 2025
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1 Comment
Excellent summary of what happened today and what it means. Grateful for the quotes that followed. Terry explained everything clearly and what it means for Ukraine and the U.S. which is much needed for people like me who are stunned into speechlessness. I’m so embarrassed for our country.