Tensions flare as Zelensky ejected from White House after heated exchange with Trump and Vance

By bellecarter // 2025-03-03

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was escorted out of the White House after a tense meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance. The discussion, intended to address the Ukraine-Russia conflict, turned confrontational, with Trump accusing Zelensky of ingratitude and reluctance to negotiate peace.
Trump emphasized his belief in personal diplomacy with Russian President Vladimir Putin, criticizing Zelensky's hostility toward Putin. Vance questioned Ukraine's ability to sustain its fight without U.S. support, blaming past U.S. administrations for ineffective policies.
Zelensky pushed back, highlighting Russia's aggression, including the annexation of Crimea and violations of past ceasefire agreements. He defended Ukraine's sacrifices and resilience, challenging the effectiveness of diplomatic efforts that failed to stop Putin.
Trump and Vance pressed Zelensky to express gratitude for U.S. military and financial support, with Trump claiming Ukraine would have lost the war without American aid. Zelensky countered by thanking the American people but emphasized Ukraine's independence and sacrifices.
The meeting ended with Zelensky being escorted out, symbolizing the strained alliance. The confrontation revealed stark differences in approaches to the conflict, raising questions about the future of U.S. support for Ukraine as the war enters its third year.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was escorted out of the White House on Friday, Feb. 28, following a heated exchange with U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance. The meeting, intended to address the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, devolved into a public spectacle as Trump accused Zelensky of ingratitude and an unwillingness to negotiate peace, while Vance criticized Ukraine's leadership for what he called a lack of diplomacy. The clash, which unfolded in front of American media, underscored the deepening tensions between the U.S. and its embattled ally as the war in Ukraine enters its third year. The confrontation also revealed stark differences in how the Trump administration views the conflict compared to its predecessors, with Trump emphasizing his belief in personal diplomacy with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Vance questioning Ukraine's ability to sustain its fight without U.S. support. The meeting began with Trump expressing frustration over Zelensky's perceived hostility toward Putin. Vance echoed Trump's sentiments, criticizing the Biden administration's handling of the conflict. "For four years, we had a president who stood up at press conferences and talked tough about Vladimir Putin. And then Putin invaded Ukraine and destroyed a significant chunk of the country," Vance said. He argued that the path to peace lay in diplomacy rather than military posturing, a stance that Zelensky vehemently challenged. Zelensky, visibly frustrated, pushed back against Vance's characterization of Ukraine's efforts. "He [Putin] occupied our parts, big parts of Ukraine, part of East and Crimea," Zelensky said, referencing Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014. "During a lot of years… nobody stopped him. He killed people." The Ukrainian leader defended his country's sacrifices and questioned the effectiveness of past diplomatic efforts, including a 2019 ceasefire agreement that he said Putin violated.

Vance to Zelensky: "Have you said thank you once?"

The exchange grew increasingly personal as Trump and Vance pressed Zelensky to express gratitude for U.S. support. "Have you said thank you once?" Vance asked, interrupting Zelensky's responses. "You went to Pennsylvania and campaigned for the opposition in October. Offer some words of appreciation for the U.S. and the president, who is trying to save your country." Zelensky bristled at the suggestion that he was ungrateful. "I said a lot of times thank you to the American people," he replied. But Trump interjected, saying Zelensky "gambled with the lives of millions of people" and risking World War III. "You are not winning," Trump said bluntly. "You have a damn good chance of coming out OK because of us." The Ukrainian leader countered by emphasizing Ukraine's resilience and the sacrifices of its people. "From the very beginning of the war, we have been alone and we are thankful," Zelensky said. But Trump dismissed the claim, pointing to the billions of dollars in military aid the U.S. has provided. "We gave you through this stupid president [Biden] $350 billion," Trump said. "If you did not have our military equipment, this war would have been over in two weeks." The confrontation highlighted the high-stakes nature of U.S.-Ukraine relations as the war drags on. Trump's insistence on a ceasefire and his belief in his ability to negotiate with Putin stood in stark contrast to Zelensky's demand for security guarantees and a lasting peace. "Ask our people about ceasefire, what they think," Zelensky said. "It does not matter for you what they say?" The meeting ended with Zelensky being escorted out of the White House, a rare and symbolic moment that underscored the fracturing of the U.S.-Ukraine alliance. The confrontation not only revealed the deep divisions between the two leaders but also raised questions about the future of U.S. support for Ukraine. (Related: Zelensky's explosive outburst at Trump official signals growing tensions over Ukraine aid.) Watch the video below where Zelensky defies Trump, even before the White House fiasco, saying Ukraine does not owe the U.S. anything. This video is from Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

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Vance to Zelensky: "Have you said thank you once?"

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