In the aftermath of a fiery Oval Office confrontation, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed hope that relations with the United States could still be mended. Speaking on Fox News on February 28, Zelensky responded affirmatively when asked if the relationship with President Donald Trump could be salvaged, emphasizing that US-Ukrainian ties are about “more than two presidents.”
Zelensky’s remarks came just hours after a dramatic scene at the White House, where a meeting intended to finalize a minerals-sharing deal devolved into a shouting match. Trump and Vice President JD Vance accused Zelensky of being ungrateful and refusing to accept proposed truce terms with Russia. Trump warned Zelensky, “You’re either going to make a deal or we’re out, and if we’re out, you’ll fight it out and I don’t think it’s going to be pretty.”
Following the clash, Trump posted on social media that Zelensky could return “when he is ready for peace.” Zelensky, however, refused to apologize, stating on Fox News, “I’m not sure that we did something bad,” though he wished the exchange had not occurred in front of reporters.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio later called for Zelensky to apologize for the meeting, which he described as a waste of time. Meanwhile, European leaders, including Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, voiced their support for Ukraine, with Starmer pledging “unwavering support” for Kyiv.
The confrontation has raised concerns among US allies in Europe, who fear that Trump’s approach may force Ukraine to concede victory to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Trump’s Republican Party echoed criticism of Zelensky, while Ukraine’s leadership rallied behind their president, praising his bravery.
As the fallout from the Oval Office clash continues, Russia’s assault on Ukraine shows no signs of abating, with Russian infantry storming the Ukrainian border from the Kursk region on February 28.