• Zelensky refuses to sign deal, leaves early
• Trump says Ukrainian leader ‘not ready for peace’
• UK invites European leaders to Kyiv moot

WASHINGTON: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump clashed repeatedly on Friday, with Zelensky urging Trump to be cautious with Russia and Trump accusing him of being ‘disrespectful’, as simmering differences spilled into the open.

The two leaders met in the Oval Office prior to an event at which they were expected to sign a deal for US participation in Ukraine’s mineral industry, but Zelensky openly challenged Trump over his softer approach towards Russian President Vladimir Putin and left early.

A White House official said after a contentious Oval Office meeting, the Ukrainian president is leaving early.

In a post on Truth Social, President Trump said Zelensky was not ready for peace if US was involved. “I have determined that President Zelensky is not ready for Peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations. I don’t want advantage, I want PEACE. He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for Peace,” Trump wrote after the bitter clash.

Zelensky’s planned appearances at the Hudson Institute and at the Ukrainian House in D.C. were also canceled later.

Earlier during the Oval office talks, Zelensky pushed back on Trump’s claims that Ukrainian cities have been reduced to rubble by the war. “You are gambling with World War Three,” Trump told Zelensky at one point, urging him to be more thankful.

Vice President JD Vance interjected that it was disrespectful of him to come to the Oval Office to litigate his position, a point Trump agreed with. “People are dying ... you’re running low on soldiers,” Trump told Zelensky as their meeting degenerated into a shouting match.

Trump told Zelensky he needed to make a deal or the US was out.

Both leaders were expected to later address a joint presser, where they were to sign a deal, but the Ukrainian leader left early. The deal negotiated in recent days would open Ukraine’s vast mineral wealth to the US, but does not include explicit American security guarantees for Ukraine. Trump says the presence of Americans in business would serve as a form of guarantee.

Zelensky said he would not sign an agreement that would put his country in debt for generations.

Russia’s foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said President Trump showed “restraint” by not hitting Zelensky during their shouting match in the White House. “How Trump and Vance held back from hitting that scumbag is a miracle of restraint,” she wrote on Telegram.

On the other hand, as Trump adopted a much less committed stance towards European security during the talks, a change in tone sent shockwaves across Europe.

Germany’s foreign minister Annalena Baerbock said, “Germany together with our European allies stands united alongside #Ukraine — and against the Russian aggression”, adding that Kyiv’s “quest for peace & security is ours”.

Ukraine ‘summit’ tomorrow

Meanwhile, UK PM office invited European and EU leaders to a Sunday summit to “drive forward” action on Ukraine and security.

Ahead of the summit, Keir Starmer will chair a morning call with Baltic nations before discussing the war with Zelensky at Downing Street. “The prime minister will use the summit to drive forward European action on Ukraine — signalling collective unwavering support to securing a just and enduring peace, and a lasting deal, that ensures Ukra­ine’s future sovereignty and security,” his office said.

Published in Dawn, March 1st, 2025