N.Y. Times Peter Baker:

“President Trump and Vice President JD Vance berated President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine on Friday in an explosive televised Oval Office shouting match that ultimately blew up plans to sign a rare minerals deal and signaled a dramatic break in relations between two wartime allies.

“In a public confrontation unlike any seen between an American president and foreign leader in modern times, Mr. Trump and Mr. Vance castigated Mr. Zelensky for not being grateful enough for U.S. support in its war with Russia and sought to strong-arm him into making a peace deal on whatever terms the Americans dictate.

“With voices raised and tempers flaring, Mr. Trump threatened to abandon Ukraine altogether if Mr. Zelensky did not go along.

“After journalists were escorted out of the Oval Office, Mr. Trump canceled the rest of the visit, including a planned joint news conference and signing ceremony for the minerals deal.

“A grim-faced Mr. Zelensky then strode out of the West Wing, climbed into a waiting black sport utility vehicle and departed the White House grounds.

Trump: “’I have determined that President Zelensky 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.;

“The confrontation left the state of affairs uncertain, but provided a major boost to President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia, who has long sought to drive a wedge between Ukraine and its most important patron, the United States.

“Even as he shouted at Mr. Zelensky on Friday, Mr. Trump expressed solidarity with Mr. Putin, saying that the two of them had together endured the special counsel investigation during his first term into Russian efforts to aid Mr. Trump in the 2016 election.

“The president’s verbal assault on Mr. Zelensky was a remarkable display of anger and resentment toward the leader of a country that has been invaded by a larger power intent on eliminating it as an independent state. No president in memory has ever erupted at a visiting foreign leader in such a vituperous way on camera, not even enemies of the United States, much less a putative ally”

February 28, 2025by Jeff Wells96 Comments