Washington | WTNS | March 01: A high-stakes meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy erupted into a dramatic confrontation on Friday, signaling a potential shift in America’s stance on Ukraine’s war with Russia and leaving Kyiv more vulnerable than ever.
Zelenskiy, seeking assurances of continued U.S. support against Russia, instead found himself at odds with Trump and Vice President JD Vance, who bluntly questioned Ukraine’s strategy and pushed for diplomacy with Vladimir Putin. The heated exchange culminated in Zelenskiy being asked to leave the White House, a U.S. official confirmed.
A Diplomatic Breakdown
The meeting, intended to bolster ties, quickly descended into a public spectacle. Trump and Vance pressed Zelenskiy to consider diplomatic negotiations, with Vance stating, “I’m talking about the kind of diplomacy that’s going to end the destruction of your country.” Zelenskiy, arms crossed, countered, “What kind of diplomacy are you talking about, JD? Putin cannot be trusted.”
Tensions flared further when Zelenskiy urged Trump to “make no compromises with a killer.” Trump, unimpressed, later posted on Truth Social:
“I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for Peace if America is involved. He can come back when he is ready for Peace.”
The fallout was immediate. European allies rushed to Zelenskiy’s defense, with German chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz warning against equating the “aggressor and victim.” French President Emmanuel Macron, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and EU Council President Antonio Costa held urgent calls with Zelenskiy following the debacle.
Abandoned Agreements, Uncertain Future
An anticipated agreement on Ukraine’s mineral resources—meant to strengthen economic ties—was left unsigned, deepening uncertainty over U.S.-Ukraine relations. A White House official later stated that Trump has no interest in revisiting the deal “at the moment.”
Trump, leaving for his Florida estate, doubled down on his stance:
“What he’s got to say is, ‘I want to make peace.’ He doesn’t have to stand there saying ‘Putin this, Putin that.’ He’s got to say, ‘I want to make peace.’”
Zelenskiy, in a Fox News interview, appeared remorseful, saying, “I’m sorry for this.” However, Ukrainian military chief Oleksandr Syrskyi reaffirmed that Kyiv remains united in its fight.
Implications for Ukraine and the West
The explosive meeting underscores Trump’s growing inclination to distance the U.S. from Ukraine’s war effort. His refusal to commit to security guarantees raises alarm bells in Europe, where leaders are now scrambling to find alternative strategies to support Kyiv.
Trump’s warning was stark:
“You’re either going to make a deal, or we’re out. And if we’re out, you’ll fight it out. I don’t think it’s going to be pretty.”
With Ukraine still reliant on U.S. aid, and Russia advancing in key regions, Zelenskiy’s confrontation with Trump may have lasting consequences. Europe is set to convene an emergency summit in London to discuss Ukraine’s future, but for now, the road ahead for Kyiv looks more uncertain than ever.
A Turning Point
As the dust settles, one thing is clear—Friday’s White House meeting marked a turning point. Whether it leads to an accelerated peace process or a further unraveling of Western support remains to be seen. For now, Ukraine faces the sobering reality that its most powerful ally may be stepping back, leaving it to fight a war with fewer assurances than ever before.
Ayatollah Khamenei`s prediction came True
The official website of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution has shared a comment made by Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei three years ago, in which he had warned countries against relying on Western states, including the United States, urging those countries to learn a lesson from the situation in Ukraine.
The website of Iran’s Leader, KHAMENEI.IR, reposted his comment on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, March 1, exactly three years after the comment was first shared on the social media platform in Persian and Ukrainian languages.
“The first lesson learnt from Ukraine’s issue is that support of Western powers for countries and governments, which are their puppets, is a mirage. All governments should understand this. Those governments, which rely on the U.S. and Europe, should look at the current situation in Ukraine.”
Ayatollah Khamenei’s comment was posted on March 1, 2022, less than a week after Russia invaded Ukraine following the failure of the Western military alliance, NATO, to address Moscow’s security concerns. The Russian concerns had remained high in the months prior to the Ukraine war amid NATO’s expansion eastward.
In 2022, Imam Khamenei said that Iran supports ending the war in Ukraine. We want the war to be ended there, but the solution to any crisis is only possible if the root cause is identified. The root of the crisis in Ukraine are the US policies that create crisis, and Ukraine is a victim of these policies.
Courtesy Steve Holland, Nandita Bose, Jeff Mason, and Tom Balmforth..
