{"id":27967,"date":"2025-03-01T11:19:07","date_gmt":"2025-03-01T09:19:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/?p=27967"},"modified":"2025-03-01T21:34:18","modified_gmt":"2025-03-01T19:34:18","slug":"zelenskyy-leaves-white-house-without-signing-minerals-deal-after-fiery-exchange-with-trump","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/zelenskyy-leaves-white-house-without-signing-minerals-deal-after-fiery-exchange-with-trump\/","title":{"rendered":"Zelenskyy leaves White House without signing minerals deal after fiery exchange with Trump"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

12 minute read<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A high-stakes meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump ended in chaos on February 28, 2025, as the two leaders engaged in a fiery exchange in the Oval Office.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The meeting, which was intended to finalize a deal granting the U.S. access to Ukraine\u2019s rare earth minerals, quickly turned confrontational, resulting in Zelenskyy\u2019s abrupt departure from the White House without signing the agreement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zelenskyy left the White House after being told to go by the U.S. President at approximately 1:45 p.m. local time, skipping a joint press conference. The meeting had already been tense, with Trump and Zelenskyy clashing publicly while speaking with journalists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Diplomacy turns into chaos<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial purpose of Zelenskyy\u2019s visit was twofold: to push for security assurances from the U.S. and to finalize a deal allowing the U.S. to access Ukraine\u2019s rare earth minerals. The U.S. has been looking to secure alternative sources of these critical minerals to reduce its dependence on China.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From the outset, there were signs that the meeting would be contentious. As Trump greeted Zelenskyy outside the White House, he quipped about the Ukrainian leader\u2019s black military-style outfit, a version of his usual wartime attire. “He\u2019s all dressed up today,” Trump remarked.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Trump,<\/a>
U.S. President Donald Trump meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as U.S. Vice President JD Vance reacts at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 28, 2025. (Image Credit: Reuters)<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Inside the Oval Office, Trump emphasized the proposed mineral deal, stating: “We\u2019re going to sign the agreement at the conference in the East Room in a little while, right after lunch. We have something that is a very fair deal, and we look forward to getting in and digging, digging, digging, and working and getting some of the rare earth.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But Zelenskyy quickly made it clear that security assurances were a higher priority for Ukraine. \u201cI hope that this document, this first document, will be the first step to real security guarantees for Ukraine,” Zelenskyy stated. “Our people, our children, are counting on it.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Trump-Zelenskyy meetings turn into a shouting match<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As tensions boiled over, the meeting devolved into a shouting match. Trump became increasingly aggressive, snapping at reporters and berating Zelenskyy. “You\u2019re gambling with the lives of millions of people. You\u2019re gambling with World War III,” Trump said. “You\u2019re gambling with World War III, and what you\u2019re doing is very disrespectful to this country, this country.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zelenskyy tried to interject, emphasizing that Ukraine wanted peace. But Trump cut him off, accusing him of being ungrateful. “You have to be thankful. You don\u2019t have the cards. You\u2019re buried there. Your people are dying. You\u2019re running low on soldiers,” Trump said. “I\u2019ve empowered you to be a tough guy, and I don\u2019t think you\u2019d be a tough guy without the United States.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With that, the meeting ended abruptly. Zelenskyy left without signing the mineral deal, and the scheduled joint press conference was scrapped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump warns Zelenskyy he\u2019s \u201cgambling with World War III,\u201d repeating \u201cYou don\u2019t have the cards right now\u201d after a disastrous White House meeting. He told the Ukrainian president to come back \u201cwhen he is ready for peace\u201d.pic.twitter.com\/CqWOfGgLo7<\/a><\/p>\u2014 IRIA (@IRIA_Research) March 1, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote>