Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s latest attempt to play the tough-guy card on the international stage has imploded in a blaze of diplomatic embarrassment.
The highly anticipated meeting, intended to solidify a bilateral agreement on the Ukraine’s rare mineral resources, devolved into a contentious confrontation.
President Trump, accompanied by Vice President J.D. Vance, chastised Zelensky for his ingratitude toward U.S. aid and his reluctance to engage in peace negotiations with Russia.
Trump accused Zelensky of “gambling with World War Three” and questioned his commitment to diplomacy. The heated exchange culminated in Trump abruptly ending the meeting.
Zelensky: “[There are] a lot of questions. Let’s start from the beginning. First of all, during the war, everybody has problems, even you, but you have a nice ocean [in between], and don’t feel it now, but you will feel it in the future. God bless you.”
Trump: “Don’t tell us what we’re going to feel. We’re trying to solve a problem. Don’t tell us what we’re going to feel… because you’re in no position to dictate that. Remember this, you’re in no position to dictate what we’re going to feel. We’re going to feel good. We’re gonna feel very good and very strong.”
Zelensky: “You will feel the influence. I’m telling you now you will feel the influence.”
Trump: “You’re right now, not in a very good position. You’re not in a good position. You don’t have the cards right now with us.”
Zelensky: “I’m not playing cards right now, I’m very serious Mr President. I am a wartime president.”
Trump: “You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people. You’re gambling with World War Three. You’re gambling with World War Three, and what you’re doing is very disrespectful to the country, this country, far more than a lot of people say they should.”
During this tumultuous encounter, White House Correspondent of Voice of America Misha Komadovsky captured the poignant reaction of Ukraine’s Ambassador to the United States, Oksana Markarova.
Seated near the leaders, Ambassador Markarova was seen placing her head in her hands and facepalming as Zelensky’s bluster crashed and burned.
WATCH:
According to Senior White House Correspondent Jacqui Heinrich, the White House stated that “Ukrainians were begging to reset” the conversation, but Senators Marco Rubio and Michael Waltz informed them that Zelenskyy needed to leave the White House grounds and return only when he was ready for a serious discussion about peace. U.S. officials, including President Trump, reportedly felt disrespected by Zelenskyy’s rhetoric and demeanor, noting that he was “shrugging and rolling his eyes” throughout the conversation.
WH OFFICIALS TELL FOX:
-TRUMP KICKED OUT ZELENSKYY – HE DID NOT WALK OFF ON HIS OWN
-RARE MINERALS DEAL WAS NOT SIGNED.
– WH SAYS “UKRAINANS WERE BEGGING TO RESET” BUT RUBIO AND WALTZ INFORMED THEM ZELENSKYY NEEDS TO LEAVE WHITE HOUSE GROUNDS, RETURN WHEN HE’S READY FOR PEACE…— Jacqui Heinrich (@JacquiHeinrich) February 28, 2025
Jim Hᴏft is the founder and editor of The Gateway Pundit, one of the top conservative news outlets in America. Jim was awarded the Reed Irvine Accuracy in Media Award in 2013 and is the proud recipient of the Breitbart Award for Excellence in Online Journalism from the Americans for Prosperity Foundation in May 2016.
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