Zelensky Bails on Trump Press Conference After White House Blowup – Trump Claims “Zelensky Not Serious About Peace”

Zelensky Bails on Trump Press Conference After White House Blowup – Trump Claims “Zelensky Not Serious About Peace”

Washington, D.C. – February 28, 2025 – A highly anticipated joint press conference between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was abruptly canceled today following a contentious meeting in the Oval Office. The dramatic fallout, marked by raised voices and sharp exchanges, underscored deepening tensions between the two leaders over the ongoing war in Ukraine and a proposed U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal. In the aftermath, Trump took to social media to declare that Zelensky is “not ready for peace,” signaling a significant rift at a critical moment in U.S.-Ukraine relations.

The day began with cautious optimism as Zelensky arrived at the White House to meet Trump and Vice President JD Vance. The agenda included discussions about a potential agreement granting the U.S. access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals—resources Trump has framed as a repayment for American aid since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The talks were also expected to touch on broader peace negotiations to end the nearly three-year conflict.

However, what was meant to be a diplomatic exchange quickly spiraled into a heated confrontation. According to reporters present in the Oval Office, Trump and Vance accused Zelensky of failing to show sufficient gratitude for U.S. support. Trump reportedly warned Zelensky, “You’re gambling with World War III,” and called his behavior “disrespectful to the United States,” particularly within the “cherished Oval Office.” Vance chimed in, pushing for diplomacy as “the path to peace” and chastising Zelensky for challenging that approach in front of the American media.

Zelensky, for his part, defended Ukraine’s position, questioning the feasibility of diplomacy with Russian President Vladimir Putin. “He killed our people, and he didn’t exchange prisoners,” Zelensky retorted, referencing Russia’s history of violating agreements, including the 2014 annexation of Crimea. He also pointedly asked Vance if he had ever visited Ukraine, highlighting the vice president’s lack of firsthand experience with the war-torn nation.

The exchange grew so tense that Zelensky reportedly left the meeting early, with his car spotted waiting outside the White House shortly after. Trump later confirmed the Ukrainian leader’s departure, writing on Truth Social, “He can come back when he is ready for Peace.”

Following the Oval Office clash, the White House announced that the planned joint press conference, scheduled for 1:00 PM EST, would not proceed. A White House source told Reuters that Zelensky was leaving early, and Trump’s social media post suggested the cancellation stemmed from his assessment of Zelensky’s stance. “I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for Peace if America is involved,” Trump wrote, adding, “He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office.”

The cancellation marked a stark departure from earlier expectations. Just days prior, Trump had hailed the impending minerals deal as “a very big agreement” during a Cabinet meeting, hinting at progress in negotiations. Zelensky, meanwhile, had emphasized in Kyiv that any deal must include security guarantees for Ukraine—a condition Trump has been reluctant to commit to, insisting that Europe should bear more responsibility for Ukraine’s defense.

At the heart of the discord lies a proposed economic agreement that would give the U.S. a stake in Ukraine’s vast deposits of rare earth minerals, such as lithium, titanium, and graphite—resources critical to industries like aerospace and defense. Trump has pitched the deal as a way for Ukraine to “pay back” the billions in U.S. aid, a recurring theme in his rhetoric about America’s role in the conflict. Zelensky, however, has framed it as a means to secure continued U.S. support and rebuild Ukraine’s war-ravaged infrastructure, while insisting on concrete security assurances to deter future Russian aggression.

The meeting’s collapse raises questions about the deal’s future and broader peace efforts. Trump has pursued a separate track of negotiations with Russia, including talks in Saudi Arabia earlier this month that excluded Ukraine—a move Zelensky criticized as legitimizing Putin’s isolation. Trump’s frustration with Zelensky’s insistence on inclusion in these talks was evident when he told Fox News recently, “I don’t think he’s very important to be at meetings, to be honest with you.”

The White House showdown reverberated beyond Washington. European leaders, who have backed Zelensky amid Trump’s shifting stance, expressed concern. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, fresh off a meeting with Trump on February 27, had urged against a rushed peace deal favoring Russia. French President Emmanuel Macron, set to meet Trump next week, has similarly cautioned against weakness toward Putin. In Ukraine, the exchange left many stunned, with Kyiv School of Economics President Tymofiy Mylovanov noting on X, “It is unclear if the deal between Ukraine and the U.S. is on the table anymore.”

For Trump, the incident reinforces his narrative of prioritizing American interests and pushing for a swift resolution to the war—albeit on his terms. His softening tone toward Zelensky earlier this week, where he expressed “a lot of respect” for Ukrainian bravery, was overshadowed by today’s flare-up. Meanwhile, Zelensky’s emotional exit—flashing a thumbs-up to reporters despite visible strain—underscored the high stakes for Ukraine as it battles Russian advances and seeks to maintain Western support.

As of now, the path forward remains uncertain. Trump’s declaration that Zelensky can return “when he is ready for peace” suggests a cooling-off period, but it also casts doubt on immediate progress in U.S.-Ukraine relations. Zelensky is scheduled to appear on Fox News at 6:00 PM EST today, offering a chance to present his perspective to an American audience. Whether the minerals deal survives, and how it might tie into peace negotiations, hinges on whether both leaders can bridge their stark differences.

For now, the canceled press conference stands as a vivid symbol of a country's president having temper tantrums like a child at a pivotal moment—one where lack of gratitude and diplomacy, and the specter of World War III, collide.