NATO Head Not Pleased with Zelensky’s Trainwreck with Trump, Issues Warning

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to mend his relationship with President Donald Trump following a heated confrontation at the White House on Friday.

“It is important that President Zelensky finds a way to restore his relationship with the American President and with the senior American leadership team,” Rutte told the BBC on Saturday, revealing details of his call with Zelensky after the meeting.

Rutte described the Oval Office exchange as “unfortunate.”

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The high-stakes meeting between Trump and Zelensky quickly escalated into a contentious argument, with Vice President JD Vance also pressing the Ukrainian leader on the conditions of a potential ceasefire with Russia.

Trump made it clear that U.S. support for Ukraine would not continue indefinitely without an agreement to end the war.

According to multiple reports, Trump directly warned Zelensky that without a negotiated peace, U.S. aid could be withdrawn entirely.

He and Vance also criticized Zelensky for what they saw as a lack of gratitude for the estimated $100 billion in American military aid sent to Ukraine since the conflict began.

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Zelensky, in response, displayed images of war-torn regions in Ukraine and insisted that he had expressed appreciation for American assistance.

However, the conversation became even more tense when Vance suggested that Trump was actively pursuing diplomacy, unlike Joe Biden, whom he accused of failing to prevent Russia’s 2022 invasion.

“He occupied big parts of Ukraine. Parts of the east and parts of Crimea. He occupied it in 2014,” Zelensky said, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“During 2014, nobody stopped him. He just occupied and took. He killed people.”

Zelensky pointed out that he had signed a ceasefire agreement with Russia in 2019, alongside Germany and France, and accused Putin of violating it through continued military incursions and failure to abide by a prisoner-exchange deal.

Vance responded by asserting that Trump’s diplomatic approach was aimed at ending the destruction of Ukraine.

When Zelensky challenged him on what kind of diplomacy he was referring to, Vance replied, “I’m talking about the kind of diplomacy that’s going to end the destruction of your country.”

When Zelensky attempted to interject, Vance pushed back, saying, “Mr. President, Mr. President, with respect, I think it’s disrespectful for you to come to the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the American media.”

Vance then accused Ukraine of forcing conscripts to the front lines due to manpower shortages. “You should be thanking the president for trying to bring an end to this conflict,” he added.

Tensions flared further when Zelensky made a comment about the United States being shielded by an ocean, suggesting Americans do not yet feel the effects of the war.

“First of all, during the war, everybody has problems. Even you, but you have a nice ocean and don’t feel it now but you will feel it in the future,” Zelensky said.

Trump immediately cut him off. “Don’t tell us what we’re going to feel. We’re trying to solve a problem. Don’t tell us what we’re going to feel,” he said. “You’re in no position to dictate what we’re going to feel.”

The conversation escalated even further, with Trump at one point telling Zelensky, “You’re gambling with World War III.”

Trump also reminded Zelensky that Ukraine’s military support is entirely dependent on the U.S.

“You don’t have the cards. With us, you have the cards. But without us, you don’t have any cards,” Trump said.

President Trump and Vice President Vance will always stand for America and those who respect our position in the world. America will never be taken advantage of. pic.twitter.com/0cKfPYQDdk

— Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) February 28, 2025

Following the explosive meeting, Trump posted on Truth Social, reflecting on the exchange.

“It’s amazing what comes out through emotion, and I have determined that President Zelensky is not ready for Peace if America is involved,” Trump wrote.

“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.”

“I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for peace if America is involved” pic.twitter.com/6kGws8VXhG

— Bree A Dail (@breeadail) February 28, 2025

After the meeting, Zelensky was taken to a holding room in the West Wing but did not have any further discussions with Trump.

National Security Advisor Michael Waltz and Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly informed him that his meetings at the White House were concluded.

A planned lunch between Trump and Zelensky was never held. White House reporters observed the untouched meal sitting in a hallway outside the Oval Office.

Additionally, a scheduled joint press conference was abruptly canceled.

Zelensky left the White House about two hours after arriving. He later posted on social media, writing, “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.”

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

During his visit, Zelensky did not sign a proposed multi-billion-dollar mineral agreement that Trump had made a key condition for continued U.S. security support.

The deal would have given the U.S. access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals in exchange for investment and military assistance.

Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who met with Trump at the White House a day before Zelensky’s visit, had pushed for U.S. air support in any future European-led peacekeeping mission in Ukraine.

However, Trump declined the request, maintaining that Zelensky should instead agree to the mineral deal as Ukraine’s only security guarantee.

Zelensky departed Washington without securing additional commitments from the Trump administration, leaving the future of U.S.-Ukraine relations uncertain.

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