Zelenskyy leaves WH early; Trump says he can come back when ‘ready for peace’

• President Donald Trump ended his day with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy early, following a tense exchange in the Oval Office Friday. The conversation happened ahead of what was an anticipated rare minerals deal signing.
• Trump posted to Truth Social after the meeting and said Zelenskyy could come back when he is “ready for peace.”
• The exchange at the White House also comes as Trump pressures Ukraine to end the war Russia began. 

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President Donald Trump cut short his talks with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, telling him to come back to the White House when he’s “ready for peace” following a tense exchange in the Oval Office Friday, Feb. 28. At one point during the meeting, Trump raised his voice at Zelenskyy calling him “disrespectful.”

Trump posted to Truth Social shortly after what he called a “meaningful” meeting.

“Much was learned that could never be understood without conversation under such fire and pressure,” Trump posted. “It’s amazing what comes out through emotion, and I have determined that president Zelenskyy is not ready for peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations. I don’t want advantage, I want peace. He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished oval office. He can come back when he is ready for peace.”

What was supposed to happening during the visit?

The exchange happened ahead of what was an anticipated rare minerals deal signing between the two countries, and as Trump pressures Ukraine to end the war Russia began.

Zelenskyy vs. Trump and Vance

Zelenskyy posed questions to Vice President JD Vance, who then questioned the gratitude and strategy of the Ukrainian leader.

“I’m talking about the kind of diplomacy that’s going to end the destruction of your country,” Vance said, “I think it’s disrespectful for you to come to the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the American media.”

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Zelenskyy then suggested that the U.S. did not feel the ramifications of the war in Ukraine yet because of geography but would feel it in the future, which Trump quick responded to. 

“Don’t tell us what we’re going to feel because you’re in no position to dictate what we’re going to feel, we’re going to feel very good and very strong,” Trump said. “You’re right now, not in a very good position.”

What happens next?

Zelenskyy had been scheduled to have lunch with Trump, and both leaders were going to sign the minerals deal during a joint news conference, but that didn’t happen.

#BREAKING: NO LUNCH for Zelensky – Trump tells Zelensky to leave the White House after heated exchange. #WashingtonDC

Live updates / watch party: https://t.co/wiwOyLH1wW pic.twitter.com/1wrkl4pdoG

— Human Dilemma (@HumanDilemma_) February 28, 2025

According to Fox News, staffers ate the lunch meant for Zelenskyy after Trump kicked him and his staff out of the White House.

Zelenskyy posted to X following his exit and thanked Trump for the visit adding, “Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for that.”

Thank you America, thank you for your support, thank you for this visit. Thank you @POTUS, Congress, and the American people.
Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for that.

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 28, 2025