
Volodymyr Zelensky and Trump’s public spat made countless headlines. But there’s more to the story behind the scenes.
As Zelensky made a wild confession after his Oval Office blowup with President Trump.
In a surprising twist following a fiery confrontation with President Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed willingness to negotiate a mineral rights-sharing deal with the United States. The dramatic fallout occurred during a Friday meeting in the Oval Office, where no agreement was signed, leaving tensions simmering.
JD Vance and Trump just put Zelensky in his place. Wow. Watch this.
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) February 28, 2025
pic.twitter.com/zndgjKEPKz
Trump had pressed Ukraine to offer a stake in its abundant mineral reserves as a form of repayment for the roughly $175 billion in military and civilian aid provided by the U.S. since Russia’s 2022 invasion.
Taking to social media on Saturday morning, Zelensky shared a detailed statement hinting at a potential path forward. “We are ready to sign the minerals agreement, and it will be the first step toward security guarantees,” he wrote. Yet, he emphasized that this alone wouldn’t suffice.
“A ceasefire without security guarantees is dangerous for Ukraine. We’ve been fighting for three years, and Ukrainian people need to know that America is on our side.”
The Oval Office clash saw Vice President Vance scolding Zelensky for appearing unappreciative of America’s wartime support. Still, Zelensky struck a conciliatory tone in his statement, showering praise on the U.S. for its steadfast backing.
“We are very grateful to the United States for all the support. I’m thankful to President Trump, Congress for their bipartisan support, and American people. Ukrainians have always appreciated this support, especially during these three years of full-scale invasion,” he affirmed.
“America’s help has been vital in helping us survive, and I want to acknowledge that. Despite the tough dialogue, we remain strategic partners.”
Zelensky didn’t shy away from reiterating his distrust of Russia’s Vladimir Putin, a theme he’d hammered home during Friday’s talks.
“A ceasefire won’t work with Putin. He has broken ceasefires 25 times over the last 10 years. A real peace is the only solution,” he insisted. “I cannot change Ukraine’s position on Russia. The Russians are k*lling us. Russia is the enemy, and that’s the reality we face. Ukraine wants peace, but it must be a just and lasting peace.”
Across the Atlantic, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte revealed he’d spoken with Zelensky twice since the White House dust-up, nudging him toward reconciliation with Trump.
“I said: I think you have to find a way, dear Volodymyr, to restore your relationship with Donald Trump and the American administration. That is important going forward,” Rutte told the BBC after contacting Zelensky.
Zelensky jetted off to London on Saturday for a Sunday summit with European leaders, hosted by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The agenda? Bolstering joint defense and security strategies.
Starmer welcomed Zelensky with open arms, and the Ukrainian president is also slated to meet King Charles. Earlier, Starmer confirmed he’d spoken with both Zelensky and Trump, vowing “unwavering support for Ukraine.”
In a Friday appearance on Fox News, Zelensky sought to smooth over the rift. Speaking to anchor Bret Baier, he said, “Your people helped to save our people. This is very, very important. And we are thankful,” signaling hope that the U.S.-Ukraine partnership could weather the storm.
WATCH:
NEW: President Zelensky apologizes at the end of his interview with Fox's Bret Baier, says he thinks he can repair his relationship with Trump.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) February 28, 2025
Baier: "Do you think your relationship with President Trump after today can be salvaged?"
Zelensky: "It can be. Yes, of course... This… pic.twitter.com/CkA7qxmUnr
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