Trump humiliates Zelensky, boots him from White House
3 Min Read
After a shouting match, Trump asked his aides to kick Ukraine's president out of the White House.
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United States President Donald Trump welcomes Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House in Washington, the United States, on February 28, 2025. (AP)
United States President Donald Trump decided to kick Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky out of the White House after a heated shouting match on Friday.
Trump invited the Ukrainian president to Washington, where the two were supposed to have lunch and hold a joint press conference. However, Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance, on one side, and Zelensky, on the other, hurled sharp accusations at each other in front of reporters in the Oval Office. Then reporters were told to leave the space.
"He (Zelensky) could have just acknowledged the vice president's remarks and moved on, but he couldn't bring himself to do it," a White House official told Axios, referring to remarks made by Vance about the need for diplomacy with Russia.
Notably, Trump repeatedly mocked Zelensky’s military-style attire. According to Axios, he was irritated that Zelensky opted against wearing a traditional suit to the meeting, especially after Trump's advisers told Zelensky's team that it would be more respectful if Zelensky wore a suit to the White House.
Read more: Russian forces close in on Kupyansk, 7 km from city
White House tells Ukrainian delegation its time to leave
According to Axios, Trump proceeded to discuss the situation with his top aides while Zelensky and other Ukrainian officials were seated in another room for around an hour.
Then, Secretary of States Marco Rubio and national security adviser Mike Waltz broke the news to the Ukrainian delegation, which was still hoping to sign a minerals deal with the US, telling to leave, a senior White House official told Axios.
Trump then posted on Truth Social, saying that Zelensky "disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office." The US president said that Zelensky could come back when he is ready for peace.
Zelensky's visit, marred by insults and blame games, ended abruptly—leaving him without a minerals deal or any assurances of US military or financial support.
Read more: Trump, Zelensky did not sign minerals deal amid tense meeting
Zelensky refuses to apologize to Trump
The Washington Post (WaPo) reported that a European diplomat hoped that Zelensky would quickly fix the issue by declaring respect to Trump. Yet, after thanking the American people, Congress, and Trump in a post on X, Zelensky told Fox News that he does not owe Trump an apology.
Ahead of the meeting, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham advised Zelensky to avoid Trump's "bait" and focus on the "positives" of US-Ukraine relations. Now, believes conducting "business" between the two countries may be out of reach.
On the other hand, Trump told reporters that his administration is "not looking to go into a 10-year war and play games."
Trump asserted that Zelensky "very much overplayed his hand," adding that he is looking for peace and "not somebody that's going to sign up a strong power and then not make peace because they feel emboldened."
"Either we're going to end it or let him fight it out. And if he fights it out, it's not going to be pretty, because without it, without us, he doesn't win," he concluded.
Read more: Trump tells Zelensky Ukraine is 'not winning,' warns of US withdrawal
