Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded to US President Donald Trump’s accusations of ingratitude following a tense Oval Office meeting. Trump and Vice President JD Vance criticized Zelensky for not adequately acknowledging US military aid during a heated confrontation. After the meeting, which ended abruptly without a signed minerals deal, Zelensky took to social media to thank global leaders who supported Ukraine, including statements from European leaders expressing solidarity. In contrast, Russia celebrated the fallout, with officials mocking Zelensky. US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer accused Trump and Vance of supporting Putin’s agenda in their treatment of Zelensky.
New Delhi:
Shortly after US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance criticized Volodymyr Zelensky for not being “appreciative,” the Ukrainian President took to social media to personally thank all the world leaders who showed support for his nation. His reaction came after a contentious meeting at the White House with Trump and Vance, which concluded in a tense stalemate.
In the wake of the confrontation, European leaders released statements backing Kyiv. Zelensky then meticulously expressed his gratitude to each of them.
Oval Office Confrontation
On Friday, an extraordinary shouting match erupted in the Oval Office when Trump confronted Zelensky, claiming he was insufficiently “thankful” for US military assistance. The altercation, characterized as a full-fledged shouting match, concluded with the Ukrainian president leaving the White House abruptly without finalizing a minerals deal that was anticipated as a possible avenue toward a US-mediated ceasefire.
During the meeting, Trump and Vance reproached Zelensky for not recognizing the magnitude of American aid in Ukraine’s conflict. Trump explicitly stated that Kyiv’s capacity to combat Russian aggression hinged entirely on US support.
“You don’t have the cards right now,” Trump remarked. “You’re either going to make a deal or we’re out, and if we’re out, you’ll have to fight it out, and I don’t think it’s going to be pretty.”
Soon after, Zelensky departed from the White House, and Trump aired on social media that the Ukrainian leader “can return when he is ready for peace.”
The expected minerals deal remained unsigned, and the planned joint press conference with Trump was scrapped. US media reported that officials from the Trump administration had directed Zelensky to vacate the premises following the intense exchange.
Trump later accused Zelensky of “overplaying his hand,” claiming that the Ukrainian leader was hindering efforts to achieve an immediate ceasefire with Russia.
In a later interview with Fox News, Zelensky declined to apologize for his position.
“I’m not sure that we did something wrong,” Zelensky stated.
European Leaders Unite for Zelensky
Trump’s dramatic confrontation with Zelensky reverberated throughout Europe. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk sent a message of solidarity, asserting: “You are not alone.”
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who had recently conferred with Trump in Washington, reached out to both Trump and Zelensky following the incident. Starmer reassured Zelensky of Britain’s “consistent support” for Ukraine.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called for an emergency summit involving the United States, European nations, and other allies to deliberate the future of Ukraine’s defense.
Domestically, US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer accused Trump and Vance of “doing Putin’s dirty work.”
From the UK, Canada, Sweden, and several other countries, Zelensky took the time to respond to each and every message of solidarity in a personal manner.
Thank you for your support. https://t.co/YjZKZbYITg
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 28, 2025
Russia Celebrates Trump’s Actions
In stark contrast, Moscow welcomed the deterioration of relations between Washington and Kyiv.
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev ridiculed Zelensky, labeling him an “insolent pig” who had been “properly slapped down in the Oval Office.”
A spokeswoman from the Russian foreign ministry commended Trump and Vance for their restraint, asserting, “How Trump and Vance subdued themselves from striking that scumbag is a miracle of restraint.”