The world remains on edge after Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s tense meeting at the White House on February 28. During the visit, President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance publicly rebuked Zelenskyy, who had hoped to secure a deal to end the war with Russia. Instead of diplomatic discussions, Trump and Vance took an aggressive tone, demanding Zelenskyy express gratitude for U.S. support. What followed was a public shaming rather than constructive dialogue, leaving little room for peace negotiations.
Despite enduring condescending remarks, Zelenskyy kept his composure, but the damage was done. The once-strong U.S.-Ukraine alliance suffered, and trust was severely eroded. Following the meeting, Zelenskyy and his team were asked to leave early, and Trump announced the suspension of all military aid to Ukraine. This move was widely condemned, raising fears it would embolden Russia.
However, efforts to repair relations have been underway, including resumed intelligence-sharing following talks in Saudi Arabia. Zelenskyy’s frustration was clear, yet he refused to let the White House incident define future relations. Meanwhile, a U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire has been agreed upon by Ukraine, pending Russia’s acceptance, with hopes for a brief pause in hostilities and humanitarian progress. The coming weeks will reveal whether this ceasefire leads to lasting peace.
