Zelenskyy Speaks Out Following Intense Meeting with Trump at White House

February 28, 2025 TruthUSA

The Ukrainian president expressed his gratitude to the Trump administration and the American people for their support in his first comments following a tense White House meeting.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made his first public remarks after a heated Oval Office exchange with President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance on Friday. The exchange raised doubts about the potential U.S.–Ukraine minerals deal that aimed to strengthen the bond between the two countries and serve as a defense against Russian aggression.

“Thank you America, thank you for your support, thank you for this visit,” Zelenskyy wrote in a post on X. “Thank you @POTUS. Congress, and the American people. Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for that.”

Zelenskyy’s message came after the intense White House meeting with Trump and Vance, where the three debated Ukraine’s position and whether Zelenskyy had adequately acknowledged the United States’ long-standing support in its conflict against Russia.

This was the first meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy since Trump took office in January. The expectation was that Zelenskyy would sign an economic partnership deal with the U.S., giving the U.S. access to Ukraine’s critical rare earth minerals essential for aerospace, defense, and nuclear industries.

The agreement would establish a joint U.S.–Ukraine reconstruction fund, managed by both nations, with Kyiv contributing 50 percent of future proceeds from state-owned natural resources. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described the deal as protecting U.S. taxpayers and supporting Ukraine’s recovery post-war, aiming to turn the war-torn country into a stable, prosperous one.

Zelenskyy emphasized the necessity of U.S. security guarantees for any such deal, which Kyiv considers crucial. Trump, however, hesitated to provide those guarantees, suggesting that Europe should take the lead due to its closer proximity to the Russia–Ukraine conflict. He believed that U.S. involvement in Ukraine’s mineral sector would act as a deterrent against Russian aggression, offering automatic security.

“Security is so easy. That’s about 2 percent of the problem. I’m not worried about security. I’m worried about getting the deal done. The security is the easy part,” Trump said during the Friday meeting with Zelenskyy in the Oval Office, in front of media outlets.

As the two leaders fielded questions from the press, their differing expectations on security commitments became evident.

“We will never accept just a cease-fire,” reiterated the Ukrainian leader, insisting that the minerals deal should include additional security guarantees from the United States to achieve lasting peace. Zelenskyy pointed out that previous cease-fires brokered by Western powers failed to deter Russia from further aggression.

Trump cautioned Zelenskyy about the risk of losing U.S. support completely.

“You’re either going to make a deal or we’re out,” warned Trump.

In a raised voice, Trump reminded Zelenskyy that Ukraine is “not in a very good position.”

“You don’t have the cards. With us, you have the cards,” he asserted.

“You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people. You’re gambling with World War three. What you’re doing is very disrespectful to this country,” Trump added.

Vance accused the Ukrainian leader of lacking gratitude, querying, “Have you said thank you once this entire meeting?”

The White House later clarified that no deal had been finalized, while Trump mentioned on Truth Social that Zelenskyy “is not ready for Peace if America is involved.”

“He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for Peace,” Trump remarked.

After the meeting, the White House released a statement affirming that Trump and Vance “will always stand up for the interests of the American people and those who respect the United States’ position in the world—and will never allow the American people to be taken advantage of.”

Aside from expressing appreciation for U.S. support and indicating Ukraine’s commitment to seek a “just and lasting peace,” Zelenskyy’s post-meeting statement offers little insight into the fate of the minerals deal or U.S.–Ukraine relations in general.

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