Angry Trump officials accuse Zelensky of ignoring advice before Oval Office blow up
Sunday, 2 March 2025
Trump officials have reportedly privately blamed Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky for the spectacular Oval Office clash, saying he ignored advice to avoid the subject of security guarantees.
On Saturday, a diplomatic meltdown unfolded when the US president and his vice president JD Vance blasted Zelensky on live television for not being grateful enough for US support.
Zelensky was at the White House set to ink a deal to give the US access to mineral riches as Trump pressures Ukraine to reach a deal to end the war with Russia. But he left town without signing anything.
The Guardian has reported that US officials told the Ukrainians Trump wanted to sign an economic partnership, while aides worked out an agreement on the issue of security guarantees.
At the same time, US senators had advised Zelensky to “praise Trump and not litigate the issue of wanting stronger security guarantees to his face”, the Guardian said.
But it all derailed as the last 10 minutes of the nearly 45-minute Oval Office meeting devolved into a tense back and forth between Trump, Vance and Zelensky — who had urged scepticism about Russia’s commitment to diplomacy, citing Moscow’s years of broken commitments on the global stage.
It began with Vance telling Zelensky, “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.”
Zelensky tried to object, prompting Trump to raise his voice and say, “You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people.”
Earlier in the meeting, Trump said the US would continue to provide military assistance to Ukraine, but said he hoped that not too much aid would be forthcoming.
“We’re not looking forward to sending a lot of arms,” Trump said. “We’re looking forward to getting the war finished so we can do other things.”
Trump suggested that Zelensky wasn't in a position to be demanding concessions.
'You’re not in a good position. You don’t have the cards right now,” Trump said pointing his finger toward Zelensky. “With us you start having cards.”
After the fallout, Trump’s national security adviser said the Ukrainian president “has not gotten the memo that this is a new sheriff in town.”
Mike Waltz said on Fox News that the Ukrainian leader heard from former US President Joe Biden, “as long as it takes, as much as it takes, blank check.”
He rejected suggestions among some Trump critics that the president and Vice President JD Vance “ambushed” Zelensky.
“That is absolutely and categorically false,” Waltz said.
In the hours after the meeting, Zelensky voiced thanks to the “American people” and leadership, and hope for “strong relations”.
In a series of posts on X, Zelensky said Ukrainians are “very grateful to the United States for all the support,” and specifically thanked Trump and Congress alongside the “American people.”
“Our relationship with the American President is more than just two leaders: It’s a historic and solid bond between our peoples. … American people helped save our people,” he said. “We want only strong relations with America and I really hope we will have them,” he added.
– Stuff and agencies