A press conference at the White House scheduled for Friday (Feb. 28), where U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky planned to sign the U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal, was canceled, following a tense shouting match between the two inside the Oval Office earlier in the day.
"I have covered the White House since 1996. There has never been an Oval Office meeting in front of cameras like this in all that time," wrote Peter Baker, White House reporter for the New York Times, on his social media.
U.S. President Donald Trump meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States, on Feb. 28, 2025. (Photo: Xinhua)
It is reported that President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his delegation were asked to leave the White House without having lunch under the order of U.S. President Donald Trump, although the Ukrainian side wanted to continue the meeting.
U.S. President Donald Trump meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States, on Feb. 28, 2025. (Photo: Xinhua)
After the chaotic Oval Office confrontation, Trump made a statement in front of the media that the precondition to restart talks between the two sides is Zelensky's admission that he wants peace instead of blaming other people or discussing something negative.
The U.S. President also posted a statement on social media, saying: "I have determined that President Zelenskyy 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 an 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."
Zelensky made a statement on his social media: "Thank you, America; thank you for your support; thank you for this visit. Thank you (President Trump), Congress, and the American people. Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for that."
What is the reaction from other countries?
According to Global Times, leaders from the EU, France, and other Western countries have voiced their support through social media.
"Be strong, be brave, be fearless. You are never alone, dear President Zelenskyy. We will continue working with you for a just and lasting peace," said Ursula von der Leyen, President of the EU, on social media.
Canadian PM Justin Trudeau also said the country will continue to stand with Ukraine and Ukrainians in achieving a just and lasting peace.
On the other hand, Viktor Orban, PM of Hungary, released a statement after the meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy, saying, "President Trump stood bravely for peace, even if it was difficult for many to digest."
However, while Ukraine tried to sign the minerals agreement with the U.S. to exchange so-called "security" from the U.S., the EU quickly proposed its own mineral deal, asking Ukraine for 21 key resources, which critics say is just as exploitative as the U.S. deal.
Will the agreement bring peace to Ukraine?
The U.S. and Ukraine were supposed to sign a deal that would grant the U.S. access to Ukraine's deposits of rare earth minerals after the meeting.
As laid out in the agreement, the two sides are set to establish a "reconstruction investment fund" with joint U.S. and Ukrainian ownership. Ukraine will contribute 50% of future proceeds from state-owned mineral resources, oil, and gas to the fund, and the fund will later invest in projects in Ukraine itself. It is predicted that the revenue will come to the U.S. side for so-called "reconstruction" projects in Ukraine.
Ukraine has over 100 critical mineral resources, including titanium, widely used in construction and aerospace, and lithium, essential for making electric vehicle batteries.
Though the U.S. calls the deal a step toward peace, it doesn't include any real plans for a ceasefire. Analysts say the deal is just a starting point for more talks, with the U.S. aiming to grab resources first. "The conflict might cool down for a while, but real peace is still far away," an expert said.
On February 28 (local time), Trump warned Zelensky, saying, "If you want to end the war, you sign the agreement; either we could end it, or fight it out. But without us, you cannot win."
"Things will slowly become clearer, and everyone will need to play a part," said Danilo Türk, former President of Slovenia, in a previous interview with GDToday.
He indicated that the crisis is a global one, requiring the involvement of all major international countries, including China and Global South countries.
Reporter | Yuan Zixiang, Guo Zedong
Video footage | Shanghai TV
Video editor | Ou Xiaoming
Editor | James, Shen He
