Zelensky hints at mending ties with Trump; West rushes to his rescue
10 Min Read
US allies in Europe, already concerned that Trump might pressure Ukraine into conceding to Russian President Vladimir Putin, quickly rallied around Zelensky.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks in an interview with Bret Baier on FOX News, on Friday, February 28, 2025, in Washington. (AP)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday his country's relationship with the United States could still be repaired, despite a heated confrontation in the White House where US President Donald Trump berated him for refusing to negotiate peace with Russia.
“Of course,” Zelensky said in an interview for Fox News when asked whether ties with Trump could be salvaged.
He emphasized that Ukrainian relations go beyond individual leaders, stressing the importance of Washington’s support in Kiev’s ongoing fight against Russia’s significantly larger and better-equipped military. “It will be difficult without your support,” he told Fox News, a network favored by Trump.
Zelensky’s comments came just hours after a dramatic Oval Office clash, where the dissatisfaction of the US was palpable. Despite years of military aid pouring in from Washington, the failure to secure a decisive victory against Russia has left many in the administration frustrated. In a tense White House meeting, US officials’ frustration reached a boiling point, with questions raised about Ukraine’s gratitude and commitment to the proposed peace efforts.
The confrontation underscored a mounting sense of disillusionment as years of US meddling and military aid seemed to clash with the grim realities of the war, casting doubt on the effectiveness of continued support. This growing frustration prompted calls within the administration for a hard reassessment of America’s objectives in the conflict, seemingly questioning whether the ongoing goals of the Ukrainian war still aligned with US interests.
The tense exchange, witnessed by both US and international media, resulted in Zelensky leaving the White House earlier than planned—without finalizing the critical minerals deal that had been expected to pave the way for a US-brokered peace deal.
During the confrontation, Trump and Vice President JD Vance accused Zelensky of failing to show sufficient gratitude and rejecting their proposed ceasefire terms. “You don’t have the cards right now,” Trump told 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.”
Shortly after, Zelensky and his delegation left, with Trump later posting on social media that “he can come back when he is ready for peace.”
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who was present during the meeting, told Fox News that the Ukrainians “were asked to leave the room. Then they had to be asked to leave the building.”
Later on Friday, Trump told reporters that Zelensky was “overplaying his hand” and should agree to end the war “immediately.”
Zelensky, however, stood by his position and refused to apologize. “I’m not sure that we did something bad,” he told Fox News, though he admitted he wished the confrontation had not taken place in front of journalists.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told CNN that Zelensky should “apologize for wasting our time.”
Western allies unite behind Zelensky as Trump’s dispute strains EU ties
Meanwhile, US allies in Europe, already concerned that President Donald Trump might pressure Ukraine into conceding to Russian President Vladimir Putin, quickly rallied around Zelensky.
“You are not alone,” Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, fresh from his visit to the White House, revealed he had spoken with both Trump and Zelensky following the confrontation, affirming "unwavering support" for Ukraine.
Far-right Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called for an immediate summit between the US, Europe, and allies on Ukraine.
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas expressed support for Kiev, saying, "Ukraine is Europe!"
In a post on X, she said: "We stand by Ukraine. We will step up our support to Ukraine so that they can continue to fight back the aggressor."
She also asserted that today has proven that "the free world needs a new leader. It’s up to us, Europeans, to take this challenge."
Ukraine is Europe!
— Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) February 28, 2025
We stand by Ukraine.
We will step up our support to Ukraine so that they can continue to fight back the agressor.
Today, it became clear that the free world needs a new leader. It’s up to us, Europeans, to take this challenge.
Similarly, the President of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the President of the European Council, António Costa, jointly expressed support for Zelensky, calling on him to be strong, brave, fearless and vowing: "You are never alone."
"We will continue working with you for a just and lasting peace," they jointly said in an X post.
Your dignity honors the bravery of the Ukrainian people.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) February 28, 2025
Be strong, be brave, be fearless.
You are never alone, dear President @ZelenskyyUa.
We will continue working with you for a just and lasting peace.
Canada's Foreign Minister Melanie Joly reaffirmed her country's commitment to supporting Ukraine in a recent conversation with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.
“Just spoke with Ukrainian Foreign Minister @andrii_sybiha to reaffirm Canada’s unwavering support for Ukraine. Canada remains committed to providing the necessary assistance to ensure Ukraine’s security, sovereignty, and resilience,” Joly stated on X.
Just spoke with Ukrainian Foreign Minister @andrii_sybiha to reaffirm Canada’s unwavering support for Ukraine.
— Mélanie Joly (@melaniejoly) February 28, 2025
Canada remains committed to providing the necessary assistance to ensure Ukraine’s security, sovereignty, and resilience. 🇨🇦🇺🇦
In Australia, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese declared that his nation would "stand with Ukraine" for as long as necessary, following the breakdown of talks between Trump and Zelensky.
"The people of Ukraine are fighting not just for their own national sovereignty, they are fighting for the international rule of law," Albanese told reporters in Sydney.
"We will continue to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes because this is the struggle of a democratic nation versus an authoritarian regime led by Vladimir Putin, who clearly has imperialistic designs not just on Ukraine but throughout that region," he stressed.
Australia has been a strong opponent of the war in Ukraine, calling it illegal and immoral. The country has committed AUS$1.5 billion (US$931 million) to support Ukraine’s war efforts.
Meanwhile, Russia expressed satisfaction. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev called Zelensky an “insolent pig” who had received “a proper slap down in the Oval Office.” Trump’s Republican Party also blamed Zelensky for the fallout.
In Ukraine, the nation stood firmly behind Zelensky, with the army chief vowing to support him and the foreign minister praising his "bravery".
The heated exchange came after Trump suggested Ukraine would need to make “compromises” in a truce with Russia. Zelensky, however, firmly opposed, stating, "There should be no compromises with a killer on our territory."
As Zelensky pointed out the failure of previous Western-backed peace efforts to curb Russian aggression, Vance interrupted, calling him “disrespectful". The situation escalated, leaving Zelensky visibly uncomfortable as Trump and Vance berated him.
Trump has alarmed Kiev and European allies with his abrupt shift in US policy, positioning himself as a potential mediator between Putin and Zelensky. He revealed in the Oval Office that he had "spoken on numerous occasions" to Putin—more than was publicly known.
Trump recently referred to Zelensky as a "dictator" and stated that he trusted Putin to "keep his word" on a ceasefire. He also told Zelensky that as a mediator, he could not criticize one of the primary parties.
Speaking to Fox News, Zelensky said he wished Trump were "really more on our side."
Meanwhile, Russia’s assault on Ukraine persisted, with Russian infantry advancing from the Russian region of Kursk toward the Ukrainian border, according to Kiev.
‘Dummies for Putin’: Democrats rally behind Zelensky after 'Shameful' encounter
Democratic lawmakers quickly rallied behind Volodymyr Zelensky after he was publicly scolded by Donald Trump in a contentious Oval Office meeting.
Senators from the Democratic Party condemned Trump and Vice President JD Vance for their “shameful” and “disgraceful” treatment of the Ukrainian leader.
Top US Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer criticized Trump and Vance, accusing them of “doing Putin's dirty work.”
“Every time I’ve met with President Zelensky, he’s thanked the American people for our strong support,” said Chris Coons, a Democratic senator from Delaware, on X. “We owe him our thanks for leading a nation fighting on the front lines of democracy – not the public berating he received at the White House.”
California Senator Adam Schiff remarked, “A hero and a coward are meeting in the Oval Office today. And when the meeting is over, the hero will return home to Ukraine.”
Chris Murphy of Connecticut described the scene as, “What an utter embarrassment for America. This whole sad scene.” Arizona’s Ruben Gallego added, “This is a disgrace.” Maryland’s Chris Van Hollen called the meeting “beyond disgraceful", while Illinois Senator Dick Durbin insisted, “The people of Ukraine and President Zelensky deserve an apology.”
Durbin went on to say, “Trump and Vance berating Zelensky – putting on a show of lies and misinformation that would make Putin blush – is an embarrassment for America and a betrayal of our allies. They’re popping champagne in the Kremlin.”
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer accused Trump and Vance of “doing Putin’s dirty work,” vowing that his party would “never stop fighting for freedom and democracy.”
Rhode Island’s Sheldon Whitehouse also accused Trump and Vance of being “ventriloquist dummies for Putin.” Whitehouse had been part of a bipartisan group of senators who met with Zelensky earlier that day.
Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar described the bipartisan support for Ukraine’s freedom and democracy, adding that Zelensky had repeatedly expressed his gratitude to the US. She later addressed Vance directly on social media, writing, “Zelensky had thanked the US ‘over and over again’ both privately and publicly. Our country thanks HIM and the Ukrainian patriots who have stood up to a dictator, buried their own & stopped Putin from marching right into the rest of Europe. Shame on you.”
Tina Smith, another Minnesota Democratic senator, urged her Republican colleagues to “speak out” for “patriotism", stating, “Once, we fought tyrants. Today Trump and Vance are bending America’s knee.”
Meanwhile, some Republican senators defended Trump, interpreting his confrontation with Zelensky as proof that he was “putting America first.”
Mike Lee of Utah thanked Trump and Vance for “standing up to our country and putting America first,” while Indiana’s Jim Banks expressed gratitude to Trump for “standing up for America.”
Banks also criticized Zelensky, saying on X: “[Zelensky] ungratefully expects us to bankroll and escalate another forever war–all while disrespecting the President. The entitlement is insulting to working Americans.”
