<p><strong>Trump-Zelenskyy Oval Office Spat:</strong> The public confrontation between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy unfolded dramatically, marked by tension and unexpected accusations. The atmosphere turned ugly when Zelenskyy pointedly criticised Russian President Vladimir Putin, a leader who Trump claims has a level of “respect” for him. Amid the heated exchanges, the primary objective of their crucial bilateral meeting — the finalisation of a US-Ukraine minerals deal —remained frustratingly unresolved for both sides.</p>
<p>The minerals deal had the potential to not only allow the US to recoup the significant funds invested in the ongoing conflict but also promise essential security guarantees for Ukraine. However, Washington was never officially committed to these security assurances. The proposed agreement, which now lies in tatters, would have granted the US unprecedented access to Ukraine’s rare earth deposits.</p>
<p><strong>ALSO READ ON ABP LIVE | <a href=”https://news.abplive.com/news/world/ukraine-zelenskyy-says-trump-support-crucial-after-white-house-oval-office-spat-russia-ukraine-war-ceasefire-us-1754755″>’President Trump’s Support Crucial’: Zelenskyy After Heated Exchange</a></strong></p>
<h2><strong>How The Oval Office Drama Unfolded As Zelenskyy Met Trump</strong></h2>
<p>Zelenskyy attended the meeting in a black combat costume, viewing this occasion as a valuable opportunity to foster further agreements that could strengthen efforts in the ongoing war against a formidable adversary like Russia.</p>
<p>As Trump and his Vice President JD Vance engaged in a verbal spat with Zelenskyy, the prospects of the minerals deal seemed to dim further. The meeting began in the ornate Oval Office on Friday, where Trump referred to the arrangement as a “fair deal”. Yet, various commentaries emerging from the US suggest that the discussions may have always been about more than just the minerals.</p>
<p>Upon taking their seats in the distinctive golden-yellow chairs, Trump remarked, “We have actually known each other for a long time. We’ve been dealing with each other for a long time.” His tone held a mix of familiarity and authority, while Zelenskyy appeared slightly tense, readying himself for the conversation ahead. </p>
<p>Trump extolled the potential minerals agreement as “fair”, asserting with enthusiasm: “We look forward to getting in and digging, digging, digging.” At this moment, Zelenskyy visibly shifted in his seat, his discomfort palpable as he awaited his opportunity to respond.</p>
<p>“We are going to be inside (Ukraine), and it’s a big commitment for the United States. We appreciate working with you very much,” Trump continued, locking eyes with Zelenskyy. The Ukrainian leader nodded nervously, his mind visibly racing to frame a suitable reply amidst the mounting pressure. </p>
<p>As the meeting progressed, the tension intensified when Trump took the opportunity to assert that his administration had engaged in “very good discussions” with Russia. He declared: “I spoke with President Putin, and we are focused on bringing this to a close. This is something both you and he want. We must negotiate a deal… I’m confident that something can happen.” </p>
<p>At this juncture, Zelenskyy’s patience appeared to wear thin, his expressions betraying a growing frustration amid the unfolding drama. </p>
<p>“We are going to be inside (Ukraine) and it’s a big commitment for the United States and we appreciate working with you very much,” said Trump, now looking straight into Zelenskyy’s eyes who was nodding nervously as if he was conjuring up his replies. </p>
<p>Then the drama slowly began to unfold, as soon as Trump mentioned that his administration has had “some very good discussions” with Russia. Trump said, “I spoke with President Putin and we are trying to bring this to a close. Something that you want and he wants. We have to negotiate a deal… I think something can happen.” </p>
<p><strong>ALSO READ ON ABP LIVE | <a href=”https://news.abplive.com/news/world/white-house-heated-exchange-between-trump-jd-vance-zelensky-russia-ukraine-war-1754644″>Trump And Vance Clash With Zelenskyy In Heated Exchange: Read The Transcript</a><br /></strong></p>
<h2><strong>Climax Occurred In Final 8 Minutes At Oval Office</strong></h2>
<p>The usual format in the Oval Office involves the US President, acting as the host, welcoming their guest and delivering brief opening remarks for the media “spray”. During this time, members of the press corps covering the White House are allowed to ask shouted questions. Typically, the host answers these questions before moving to the main meeting room for diplomatic discussions. After the meeting concludes, a full press conference is held.</p>
<p>However, in an unprecedented move on Friday, the events in the Oval Office extended for over 45 minutes. The climax occurred in the final eight minutes when Trump was seen touching Zelenskyy quite firmly on the shoulders in a gesture meant to stop him.</p>
<p>In this moment, Trump emphasised the US position of wanting to avoid further loss of life from “both sides” in the conflict. He expressed, while addressing the cameras: “We want to see the money from US taxpayers put to more constructive uses.” At the same time, Zelenskyy was observed touching his nose, a gesture that suggested he was feeling increasingly constrained in his ability to negotiate the deal. </p>
<p>It was clear that Trump’s unexpected public remarks about these sensitive topics might have caught Zelenskyy off guard, as such discussions typically occur in private settings. This situation highlights the complexities of diplomatic communication and the need for careful navigation in discussions of international conflict.</p>
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” data-media-max-width=”560″>
<p dir=”ltr” lang=”en”>WATCH IN FULL: All 46 minutes of the Oval Office meeting between President Donald J. Trump and President Zelenskyy <a href=”https://t.co/L88QejnhRA”>pic.twitter.com/L88QejnhRA</a></p>
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href=”https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1895588073851011289?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>February 28, 2025</a></blockquote>
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<p>Trump reiterated that the previous Joe Biden administration did not talk to Russia during the entire period since the war began in 2022. He, in fact, also told Zelenskyy, looking at his eyes, that the US would have “negotiated a deal” for Ukraine if Trump were the President when the war began.</p>
<p>“They just allowed this to continue… If I were the President, this war would have never happened. We would have had a deal negotiated for you without you having to go through what you have gone through. Your soldiers have been unbelievably great… We give them great credit,” he said, appreciating Zelenskyy.</p>
<p>While praising Zelenskyy’s efforts as Ukraine’s President in the war and his soldiers, he said: “But now we want to get it over with.” </p>
<p>With a slight smile on his face, Trump addressed Zelenskyy, who sat with his hands clasped and nervously fidgeting with his fingers. “It’s enough, right?” Trump asked, to which the Ukrainian President nodded in agreement. After Trump’s comments, which lasted exactly three minutes, he encouraged Zelenskyy to speak.</p>
<p><strong>ALSO READ ON ABP LIVE | <a href=”https://news.abplive.com/news/world/us-donald-trump-after-oval-office-spat-says-zelenskyy-should-want-peace-not-bloodshead-1754627″>’Zelenskyy Overplayed His Hand; He Should…’: Donald Trump After Oval Office Spat</a></strong></p>
<h2><strong>‘Putin Is A Killer, Terrorist’</strong></h2>
<p>Zelenskyy began his speech by referring to the deal as a “document” that would provide “real security guarantees to Ukraine”. “I truly rely on this. I also trust that America will continue its support. I really count on your strong stance to stop Putin,” he said, looking at Trump, nodding his head. </p>
<p>“You said enough with the war. I think it was very important to say those words to Putin at the very beginning of the conflict because he’s a killer and a terrorist. I hope that together we can stop him, but for us, it’s crucial to save our country,” Zelenskyy told Trump, who continued to look at him approvingly.</p>
<p>Zelenskyy emphasised the importance of Ukraine upholding its democracy and values, stating: “There can be no compromises with the killer.” </p>
<p>After expressing his initial thoughts, Zelenskyy opened his arms and requested more air defence equipment from America. By this point, his eyes began to sparkle, and he looked directly into Trump’s eyes as if he were presenting a lucrative deal.</p>
<p>In an unusual turn of events, Zelenskyy swiftly redirected the discussion towards defence procurement negotiations of sorts. He stated Ukraine could offer American defence companies licences to produce military equipment in the country. Additionally, he emphasised that Ukraine would require a wide range of weaponry even after the war to ensure its ongoing security.</p>
<p>Zelenskyy also highlighted that French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer have told him that they will “not help” Ukraine unless the US has assured Kiev of its support. </p>
<p>He also told Trump that the “crazy Russians” have “stolen 20,000 Ukrainian children” while he began showing images of the war to the US President where Ukrainian soldiers appeared to have been tortured in Russian prisons. He showed Trump around 10-12 photographs and said Russians are not following “any rules (of war)”.</p>
<p>While Trump expressed his concerns after seeing the photographs, he once again assured the Ukrainian side that he will “end” the war, and allowed the media to ask questions. </p>
<p>Replying to a query from a journalist, he said the US will be putting in “some money” in a fund. Trump was referring to the investment fund that was proposed to be set up as part of the minerals deal for the redevelopment of Ukraine.</p>
<p>”Lot of money are going to be made from the sale (of rare earth),” said Trump, adding that the US does not have adequate deposits of rare earth minerals. Ukraine has rich deposits of titanium, lithium and graphite among others. </p>
<p>Trump again went on to claim that he knows Putin well, and reiterated that Europe has “got back their money” but not the US. He said American taxpayers’ money has to be “protected”.</p>
<p><strong>ALSO READ ON ABP LIVE | <a href=”https://news.abplive.com/news/world/world-news-european-leaders-rally-behind-zelenskyy-after-fiery-oval-office-meeting-with-trump-1754623″>European Leaders Rally Behind Zelenskyy After His Fiery Oval Office Meeting With Trump</a></strong></p>
<h2><strong>‘Hope I’ll Be Remembered As A Peacemaker’</strong></h2>
<p>In the entire saga that unfolded in the Oval Office, Trump mentioned “third world war” multiple times, warning that the ongoing war had the potential to escalate into a global conflict.</p>
<p>Referring to another question by the spray media, Trump said: “I hope I’m going to be remembered as a peacemaker. This would be great thing if we could do this. I am doing this to save lives more than anything else.” </p>
<p>He added that the ongoing war has the risk of becoming a “third world war… this was headed in the wrong direction”. “If we didn’t win (US Presidential elections) this could have ended up in a third world war.”</p>
<p>Trump repeatedly snubbed Zelenskyy and answered in the contrary to what he requested. In one instance, Trump said the US does not want to send more arms to Ukraine. </p>
<p>Once the rhetoric of “World War III” faded away, Trump nonchalantly said, addressing the media: “I am a business person and we made a deal”, while he allowed the press to continue asking questions. And it was Trump who was selecting which question to take, and did not let Zelenskyy answer most of them.</p>
<p>Trump told reporters that Putin and Zelenskyy do “not like” each other but he is there to “stop wars”.</p>
<p>“I have stopped wars. I have stopped many wars. I stopped wars that nobody even heard about. I stopped wars before they even started,” said Trump. He also said, “I am in the middle of a mess.”</p>
<p>At one point, Zelenskyy corrected Trump and said he should not believe in what Putin is saying about finishing Ukrainian cities. He said Ukrainian cities are all standing albeit under the shadow of the war. </p>
<p>As the media interaction went on for nearly 30 minutes, Trump asked Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President Vance to chip in. While Rubio made a short intervention, Vance carried on with his monologue.</p>
<p>While the volley of questions and answers continued between Trump and the reporters, Zelenskyy looked perplexed and kept waiting for his turn. But Trump seemed to be not allowing him to speak.</p>
<p>All of a sudden, when the media conference was about to get over, Vance jumped into the conversation and began praising his boss while berating Biden. “What makes America a good country is America engaging in diplomacy and that’s what President Trump is doing.” </p>
<p>At this point Zelenskyy, who was getting increasingly frustrated for not being able to answer the questions, approached Vance with his query and tried convincing him about Putin’s actions starting from the Crimean war of 2014.</p>
<p>Vance, as if waiting to pounce on Zelenskyy, blurted out and the meeting turned into an ugly, chaotic scene.</p>
World
Trump Wanted To Stop ‘Third World War’, But Ended Up Fighting With Zelenskyy
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