[The encounter](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2025/2/28/donald-trump-live-news-zelenskyy-in-dc-for-talks-on-rare-minerals-deal) occurred on Friday at the Oval Office, with both leaders, plus US Vice President JD Vance, in attendance in front of reporters, centered around discussions concerning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
From the outset, the meeting’s tone was confrontational, with tensions escalating around a proposed deal involving rare earth minerals, which would have given the US broad access to Ukraine’s resources in exchange for continued support for Ukraine against Russia.
President Zelenskyy insisted on a deal that included tangible security guarantees for Ukraine – a point the US under Trump’s leadership had yet to commit to.
Tensions further peaked as President Trump highlighted his amicable relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin and blamed Ukraine for the stagnation of peace talks due to Zelenskyy’s disdain for Putin.
The news conference deteriorated into aggressive exchanges, with Vice President Vance accusing Zelenskyy of being disrespectful and demanding a ‘thank you’. The meeting concluded abruptly, with Ukraine leaving, and no agreement on the rare minerals deal was reached.
Post-meeting, a Guardian source stated Trump is not looking to revisit the deal. The same source alleged that Ukraine’s delegation pleaded to finalize the agreement before being asked to leave.
Zelenskyy shortly after expressed gratitude to Trump, the Congress, and the American people on X, emphasizing Ukraine’s pursuit for a just and lasting peace.
In an interview with Fox News, Zelenskyy regretted the public altercation but refused to issue an apology, justifying Ukraine’s stance against Russia as a legitimate defense against ‘killers’. He, however, was positive about mending relations.
‘He should apologise’
Prominent officials in the Trump administration, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, expressed severe disappointment with Zelenskyy, branding the meeting a “fiasco” and questioning Zelenskyy’s commitment to peace. Rubio, among others, called for an apology.
Senator Lindsey Graham, a supporter of both Ukraine and Trump, labeled the meeting a “total disaster” and suggested Zelenskyy should apologize or consider stepping down.
Despite the backlash, Zelenskyy received support from senior Democrats in Congress, who criticized Trump and Vance’s conduct towards Zelenskyy, calling it an embarrassment to the US.
Internationally, the reaction to the meeting has predominantly favored Kyiv, with several countries, including Canada and Norway, voicing their continued support for Ukraine and condemnation of the Trump administration’s conduct.
Nevertheless, support for Ukraine remains strong, with countries emphasizing the importance of Ukraine’s fight for freedom and sovereignty.
