White House Meeting Between Zelenskyy and Trump Devolves, Ending with No Minerals Agreement Signing

Notes:

This post is "live" and ongoing. It will be continually updated as the war between Ukraine and Russia evolves. To see the latest developments, go to the Update section below the Commentary.

To follow this post, bookmark it in your browser, return to this page at a later date using the bookmark, then refresh the page in your browser and scroll to the bottom to see the updates.

My commentary appears indented, in black, in italics, and in the "Commentary" section.

What happened at the meeting

On February 28, 2025 a White House meeting between Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President Donald Trump, and Vice President J.D. Vance devolved into an emotional exchange of words.

Zelenskyy's White House visit was supposed to include the signing of a rare earth minerals agreement between Ukraine and the U.S. After the meeting a planned press conference was cancelled, and the minerals agreement was not signed.

Here's a bullet-list of the most notable things said by Trump and Vance at the meeting:

Trump said "You're not acting at all thankful, and that's not a nice thing."
Trump said "The problem is, I've empowered you to be a tough guy, and I don't think he'd be a tough guy without the United States. Your people are very brave, but you're either going to make a deal or we're out, and if we're out, you'll fight it out."
Trump told Zelenskyy "You don't have the cards."
Trump said "You're not in a good position. You're gambling with the lives of millions of people, you're gambling with World War III . And what you're doing is very disrespectful to the country, this country, that's backed you."
Trump said Zelenskyy has "tremendous hatred" towards Putin and "it is very tough for me to make a deal with that kind of hate. I understand that, but I can tell you the other side isn't exactly in love with him, either."
Trump said that he needs a balanced approach in order to get a deal, adding "You want me to say really terrible things about Putin and then say, 'Hi, Vladimir. How are we doing on the deal?' It doesn't work that way."
At one point during the meeting Trump said "I think we've seen enough. This is going to be great television, I will say that."
Vance said "I think it's disrespectful for you to come to the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the American media."
Vance said "Do you think that it's respectful to come to the Oval Office of the United States of America and attack the administration that is trying to prevent the destruction of your country?"

Source:

Samuels, Brett. (February 28, 2025). "Trump ends talks with Zelensky, accuses him of not being 'ready for peace'". The Hill. Retrieved 2025-02-28

Samuels, Brett; Gangitano, Alex. (February 28, 2025). "Trump, Vance go off on Zelensky in contentious Oval Office spat". The Hill. Retrieved 2025-02-28

Gangitano, Alex. (February 28, 2025). "Trump on Oval Office spat with Zelensky: 'This is going to be great television'". The Hill. Retrieved 2025-02-28

Stanage, Niall. (February 28, 2025). "5 takeaways from Trump-Vance-Zelensky Oval Office blowup". The Hill. Retrieved 2025-02-28

Ravid, Barak; Lawler, Dave. (February 28, 2025). "Trump-Zelensky summit explodes: 'He can come back when he is ready for peace'". Axios. Retrieved 2025-02-28

Shabad, Rebecca; Egwuonwu, Nnamdi. (February 28, 2025). "Zelenskyy's meeting with Trump and Vance unravels into an extraordinary clash". NBC News. Retrieved 2025-02-28

Read a transcript of the key moments of the meeting here.

Watch the entire 50-minute meeting here.

Watch the last ten minutes of the meeting here.

Watch the last five minutes of the meeting (when the meeting becomes heated) here.

In order to get the context and full emotional impact of the most heated part of the meeting, I strongly suggest you watch the five-minute video post above.

What was said after the meeting

Trump posted the following on Truth Social (bold added for emphasis):

A Statement from President Donald J. Trump

"We had a very meaningful meeting in the White House today. Much was learned that could never be understood without conversation under such fire and pressure. It's amazing what comes out through emotion, and I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for Peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him [by "him" I think Trump means Putin] a big advantage in negotiations. I don't want 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."

Source:

Trump, Donald. (February 28, 2025). "A Statement from President Donald J. Trump". Truth Social. Retrieved 2025-02-28

Zelenskyy posted the following on X:

Thank you America, thank you for your support, thank you for this visit. Thank you @POTUS, Congress, and the American people. Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for that.

Zelenskyy, Volodymyr. (February 28, 2025). "X Social Media Post". X. Retrieved 2025-02-28

Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chair of the Security Council of the Russian Federation and the third President of Russia (2008-2012), posted the following on X:

The insolent pig finally got a proper slap down in the Oval Office. And @realDonaldTrump is right: The Kiev regime is "gambling with WWIII."

Medvedev, Dmitry. (February 28, 2025). "X Social Media Post". X. Retrieved 2025-02-28

The response from Democrats and Republicans was sharply divided along party lines.

A headline from an article on the conservative website Brietbart read "Trump Kicks Zelensky Out of White House, Cancels Press Conference After Ukrainian's Unhinged Oval Office Outburst".

Later in the day, Zelenskyy sat for an interview with Bret Baier on the Fox News program "Special Report" where Zelenskyy said (bold added for emphasis):

I mean, this is not good for both sides anyway. And I will — I will — very open, but I can't change our Ukrainian attitude to Russian. And I don't want — they are killers, for us.

This is very, very clear that Americans are the best of our friends. Europeans are the best of our friends. And Putin, with Russian, they are enemies. And it doesn't mean that we don't want peace. We just want to recognize the reality.

It's not about [being] mad. [When you hear] president, vice president or somebody or senators — doesn't matter, big politicians — when they, for example, say that Ukraine is almost destroyed, that our soldiers run away, that they are not a heroes, that Ukraine lost millions of civilians, that his president is dictator. The reaction is that, where is our friendship between Ukraine and United States?

When asked if he should apologize for what happened during the meeting, Zelenskyy said "no."

Source:

Nawaz, Amna; Couzens, Ian. (February 28, 2025). "Brooks and Capehart on the implications of Trump's altercation with Zelenskyy". PBS. Retrieved 2025-03-01

McFall, Caitlin. (February 28, 2025). "Zelenskyy says ire with Trump began with pro-Putin rhetoric". Fox News. Retrieved 2025-03-01

Speaking on the PBS Newshour, Washington Post associate editor Jonathan Capehart said:

What we saw in the Oval Office was a travesty, horrendous, despicable. I — there aren't any words to describe what we watched, where we saw a vice president who's never been to Ukraine lecture a wartime president who was clearly summoned to the White House to humiliate him on the world stage either on behalf of or for the benefit of Vladimir Putin in Russia.

And, look, I give President Zelenskyy major points for standing up for himself, for standing up for his nation and standing up for his people. He is in there fighting for America's backing, which, I'm sorry, it should not even be in doubt, given the stakes that are involved and who he is trying to protect his people from.

Speaking on the PBS Newshour, New York Times columnist David Brooks said:

I was nauseated, just nauseated...What I have seen over the last six weeks is the United States behaving vilely, vilely to our friends in Canada and Mexico, vilely to our friends in Europe. And today was the bottom of the barrel, vilely to a man who is defending Western values, at great personal risk to him and his countrymen.

Donald Trump believes in one thing. He believes that might makes right. And, in that, he agrees with Vladimir Putin that they are birds of a feather. And he and Vladimir Putin together are trying to create a world that's safe for gangsters, where ruthless people can thrive. And we saw the product of that effort today in the Oval Office.

And I have — I first started thinking, is it — am I feeling grief? Am I feeling shock, like I'm in a hallucination? But I just think shame, moral shame. It's a moral injury to see the country you love behave in this way.

Source:

Nawaz, Amna; Couzens, Ian. (February 28, 2025). "Brooks and Capehart on the implications of Trump's altercation with Zelenskyy". PBS. Retrieved 2025-03-01

Commentary:

The tone and energy during the last five minutes of the meeting was palpable. It was very difficult to watch. As I said previously, in order to get the context and full emotional impact of the most heated part of the meeting, I strongly suggest you watch the last five minutes of the meeting here.

Trump recently said that Zelenskyy is a dictator. Trump also recently said that Zelenskyy started the war. Earlier this week the United States abstained from voting on a United Nations resolution that named Russia as the aggressor in the war. These statements and actions undeniably set the stage for what happened today at the White House.

If there was even a shadow of doubt left about where Trump stands, today he made that perfectly clear when he said:

You want me to say really terrible things about Putin and then say, 'Hi, Vladimir. How are we doing on the deal?' It doesn't work that way.

Trump will not, and in his mind he cannot state the fact that Russia is the aggressor and that Russia started the war by invading Ukraine. In his supposed role as a peacemaker Trump knows that Putin will never admit to being the aggressor in Ukraine. He knows it's a "non-starter" as far as any deal with Russia is concerned, as is the possibility of future Ukranian membership in NATO.

But to not stand up and state what is objective reality is not only a major "slap in the face" to Ukraine, its people, and Zelenskyy, it's a "free pass" for Putin. It's a "get out of jail free card" where Putin has no accountability for his aggression, the destruction caused by the bombing of Ukranian cities, and the deaths and suffering of innocent Ukrainian citizens.

A truly fair peace "deal" must hold Russia and Putin accountable. It must also include some sort of "ironclad" guarantee of future Ukrainian security to be provided by the United States.

I recently posted an HWR article entitled "Op-Ed | The Handwriting is on the Wall for Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Ukraine's War with Russia". In that post I listed five major points of contention in any "deal," to which you can add security guarantees for Ukraine.

Even if a "deal" was reached that includes security for Ukraine, what's to say that Zelenskyy would sign it? Trump is a loose cannon who will do whatever is politically expedient in the moment. Signing any "deal" with him is in some ways like making a deal with The Devil. Who's to say Trump would honor any security arrangement in the future? He might renege on his promise and justify it by claiming that this or that has changed since the "deal" was agreed upon, making the "deal" no longer valid. That's just the kind of thing Trump would do.

At this point, I honestly don't see a viable way forward to a "deal" that would end the war. There are simply too many points of contention, and none of the major players (Zelenskyy, Trump, and Putin) are going to back down.

On February 21, 2022, just prior to the invasion, Putin delivered an address to Russian citizens in which he described in great detail his rationale and justification for invading Ukraine.

One year later On February 21, 2023 Putin delivered another address where he elaborated on the address he delivered in 2022. If you want to understand Putin's reasoning, I suggest you read these two addresses.

Feb 8, 2026 Update

Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 1,445 | Aljazeera

Feb 7, 2026 Update

U.S. gave Ukraine and Russia a June deadline to reach a peace deal, Zelenskyy says | PBS

Feb 5, 2026 Update

Russia, Ukraine exchange 300 prisoners as US peace talks end without breakthrough | New York Post

Feb 4, 2026 Update

Trump: Putin kept his word on pausing bombing Ukraine | Politico

Jan 22, 2026 Update

Zelensky Publicly Rebukes Europe, Urges Leaders to 'Act Now' in Withering Davos Address | Time

Zelensky: Agreement Reached on US Security Guarantees After Trump MeetingZelensky: Agreement Reached on US Security Guarantees After Trump Meeting | Newsweek

Dec 30, 2025 Update

Trump betrays America's values siding with the Russian aggressor over Ukraine | The Hill

Zelensky: Drone strike on Putin residence accusation 'complete fabrication' | The Hill

Dec 28, 2025 Update

Three takeaways from Trump-Zelensky meeting at Mar-a-Lago | The Hill

Dec 24, 2025 Update

Zelensky moves towards demilitarised zones in latest peace plan for Ukraine | BBC

Dec 15, 2025 Update

US dangles security guarantees for Ukraine but no deal on 'painful' territorial concessions | Reuters

Ukraine Ally Rejects Key Russia Demand, Issues Stark Donbas Warning | Newsweek

Dec 14, 2025 Update

EU backs indefinite freeze on Russia's frozen cash ahead of loan plan for Ukraine | BBC

Dec 13, 2025 Update

US ready to give Ukraine legally binding NATO Article 5 guarantees — Axios | RBC Ukraine

Dec 12, 2025 Update

Russia rejects seven points from the original US peace plan for Ukraine, according to ISW | RBC Ukraine

Putin aide suggests Russian troops could leave Donbas and be replaced by Rosgvardia | The New Voice of Ukraine

Dec 11, 2025 Update

Ukraine sends Trump details of land it is prepared to give up in huge peace talks breakthrough - after US president said he had 'strong words' with Starmer and Macron | Daily Mail

Russia-Ukraine War: NATO Chief Delivers Urgent Russia Warning | Newsweek

Dec 8, 2025 Update

Top EU Official Hits Back At Trump Admin: 'What We Can't Accept Is…' | HuffPost

Zelenskyy says Ukraine won't cede territory to Russia | Politico

Dec 7, 2025 Update

Russia's Reaction To Trump's New National Security Strategy Is Deeply Worrying | HuffPost

Dec 6, 2025 Update

Russia Launches Massive Attack on Ukraine Amid Peace Talks | Newsweek

Europe needs to stop its magical thinking and get ready for war with Russia | Independent

Dec 3, 2025 Update

Why the U.S.-Russia Ukraine Talks Failed | Time

Putin sends Trump's messengers packing, with eyes on a geopolitical win | CNN

Dec 2, 2025 Update

Putin invents new threat to Ukraine after attacks on Russia's shadow fleet tankers | RBC Ukraine

Dec 1, 2025 Update

Zelenskyy says progress made on US peace plan, but territorial issues remain the toughest | RBC Ukraine

Nov 30, 2025 Update

Russia Neighbor Warns Ukraine After New Oil Pipeline Attack | Newsweek

Nov 29, 2025 Update

Russia fires 36 missiles and 600 drones at Ukraine: Air defense steps up | RBC Ukraine

Nov 27, 2025 Update

While Trump talks peace, Putin is escalating efforts to erase Ukraine | Atlantic Council

Putin says US-Ukraine text could form basis for future peace deal | Reuters

Nov 25, 2025 Update

Ukraine agrees to peace proposal, with only "minor details" to settle, official says, but no word from Russia | CBS News

US official says Ukrainian delegation has agreed with US on terms of potential peace deal | ABC News

Trump says peace plan 'fine-tuned' and he's sending envoys to meet Russians and Ukrainians | PBS

Nov 24, 2025 Update

NATO scrambles warplanes after Russia launches horrific overnight strikes on Ukraine | The Mirror US

How Europe's Alternative Ukraine Peace Plan Differs From Trump's | Newsweek

Russia dashes Trump's hope of quick peace deal in Ukraine after rejecting European proposal | Independent

Ukraine's special ops forces say they just scored a battlefield first: taking out a Russian helicopter with a 'deep strike' drone | Business Insider

Zelensky welcomes amendments to proposed peace plan | BBC

Nov 22, 2025 Update

WATCH: Trump says U.S. peace plan not his final offer to Ukraine's Zelenskyy | PBS

Nov 21, 2025 Update

Zelensky warns of 'difficult moment in history' after Trump gives Ukraine days to accept his plan to end war | CNN

Nov 19, 2025 Update

Russia and Zelensky React to Trump's New Peace Deal for Ukraine | Newsweek

Nov 17, 2025 Update

NATO Nation Evacuates Residents After Russian Strike on Ship | Newsweek

Nov 14, 2025 Update

Ukraine Strikes Key Russian Oil Port at Heart of Kremlin's War Machine | Newsweek

Nov 13, 2025 Update

Putin Issues New Threat to Ukraine After Zelenskyy Snub | The Kenya Times

Putin mouthpiece demands genocidal strikes to wipe out Ukrainian cities | Newsweek

Nov 11, 2025 Update

Putin's Late Night Retaliation After Zelenskyy Hit Russian Black Sea Port Tuapse | The Kenya Times

Nov 6, 2025 Update

Russia drawing up plans to conduct nuclear tests after Trump announcement | Fox News

Russian Forces in Ukraine Near First Major Conquest in More Than Two Years | The Wall Street Journal

Russian civil war fears rise as paranoid Putin levels huge accusation at the West | Daily Express U.S.

Nov 3, 2025 Update

Russia Warns US Over Military Buildup Against Venezuela | Newsweek

Ukrainian Navy strikes Russian elite unit on Syvash drilling platform | RBC Ukraine

Oct 31, 2025 Update

Russia used cruise missile that led Trump to quit nuclear treaty: Ukraine | The Hill

Oct 30, 2025 Update

NATO forced to scramble jets after huge Russian attack despite Trump pledge | Daily Express U.S.

Russia cripples Ukrainian infrastructure in viscious dawn missile attacks | Daily Express U.S.

Oct 29, 2025 Update

Top Putin allies changing tune on Ukraine war as pressure mounts on Russia | Daily Express U.S.

Moscow Under Siege as Three Nights of Drone Barrages Take a Toll in Ukraine War | National Security Journal

Ukrainian drones hit a $20 million Pantsir missile system and a couple of radar stations in attacks on Russia's Crimea defenses | Business Insider

Nuclear submarine capable of 'radioactive tsunami' is tested by Putin | Independent

Oct 27, 2025 Update

Putin Is Slowly Losing Control of the Ukraine War | National Security Journal

Oct 25, 2025 Update

WW3 fears as European nation reinstates conscription amid 'crisis' warning | Daily Express U.S.

Why Russians are fighting against Russia: 'Putin has not only ruined Ukraine, he's ruined my country' | Independent

Russia accuses Trump of 'act of war' and threatens nuclear armageddon | RBC Ukraine

Russia hits back at Trump's 'deeply mistaken' comments after he turned on Putin | The Mirror US

Oct 24, 2025 Update

Putin issues chilling overwhelming World War 3 warning to 'unfriendly' Trump | Daily Express U.S.

Oct 22, 2025 Update

Russia Warns of Nuclear Clash with NATO | Newsweek

Oct 17, 2025 Update

Trump denies Ukraine Tomahawk missiles, urges both sides to 'stop the war immediately' | CNN

Oct 7, 2025 Update

Ukraine-Russia war latest: Trump has 'sort of' made his decision on whether to supply Tomahawk missiles to Kyiv | Independent

Oct 6, 2025 Update

Top Putin allies changing tune on Ukraine war as pressure mounts on Russia | Daily Express U.S.

Oct 5, 2025 Update

At least 5 dead in Ukraine after Russian overnight aerial attack | CBS News

Oct 2, 2025 Update

Putin swipes back at Trump: is NATO a 'paper tiger'? | Reuters

Sep 30, 2025 Update

Forget Trump: Putin Just 'Doubled Down' on the Ukraine War | National Security Journal

Putin realises he can't win war against Ukraine, says US envoy Kellogg | RBC Ukraine

Sep 29, 2025 Update

Zelenskyy reveals Russia's reasons for violating NATO airspace | RBC Ukraine

All hopes of reasoning with Putin are gone - war is coming | The i Paper

Sep 25, 2025 Update

U.S. fighter jets scrambled to intercept Russian warplanes near Alaska | CBS News

Sep 24, 2025 Update

Russia hits back at Trump's 'deeply mistaken' comments after he turned on Putin | The Mirror US

NATO intercepts three Russian jets over Estonia's airspace | CNN

Sep 20, 2025 Update

Russia carries out 'massive' attack across Ukraine | ABC News

'This is Russia's war, Russia should pay' — UK examining new ways to use Moscow's frozen assets | The Kyiv Independent

Sep 19, 2025 Update

Ukrainian counteroffensive liberates 60 miles of Donetsk in major blow to Putin | Daily Express U.S.

With freeze on new Russia sanctions, Trump abandons key Biden tactic | The Washington Post

NATO Reacts After 'Unprecedented' Russian Airspace Violation | Newsweek

Trump speaks out on Putin and future of Ukraine | RBC Ukraine

Sep 18, 2025 Update

'He's Let Me Down': Trump Publicly Rebukes Putin During U.K. State Visit | Time

Russian aggression in new area prompts NATO response as tensions rise | Daily Express U.S.

Sep 15, 2025 Update

NATO at War With Russia, Kremlin Says | Newsweek

Sep 14, 2025 Update

Ukraine-Russia war latest: Romania scrambles jets after 'drone incursion' as Zelensky warns conflict is expanding | Independent

Sep 13, 2025 Update

Putin Deploys Nuclear Bomber | Daily Mail

Ukraine strikes again: Special forces land critical blow against Russia | Daily Digest

Sep 12, 2025 Update

Ukraine strikes key Russian oil terminal in massive drone attack | BBC

Sep 11, 2025 Update

Poland deploys 40,000 troops to borders with Belarus and Russia | RBC Ukraine

Sep 10, 2025 Update

Russia Follows Up Drone Attack on Poland by Threatening to Destroy Finland | Mediaite

Sep 8, 2025 Update

Fresh from China, emboldened Putin launches new phase in Ukraine war | The Sunday Times

Sep 7, 2025 Update

'This is escalation by Putin': World leaders react to Russia's mass strike on Ukraine | The New Voice of Ukraine

Zelenskyy says Trump's Alaska summit 'gave Putin what he wanted' | ABC News

Sep 6, 2025 Update

Trump warns Ukraine war must end or 'terrible price' will be paid | RBC Ukraine

Sep 5, 2025 Update

World War 3 fears surge as Trump makes major European move | The Mirror US

Sep 4, 2025 Update

Zelensky reveals plan to 'force' Ukraine war's end after crunch Trump phone call | Daily Express U.S.

Zelenskyy responds to Putin's invitation to Moscow | RBC Ukraine

Sep 3, 2025 Update

NATO scrambles warplanes on Russian border as Putin launches 'biggest attack of the war' | The Mirror US

Putin issues new statement on conditions for ending war against Ukraine | RBC Ukraine

Sep 2, 2025 Update

Vladimir Putin issues chilling warning to West as he urges halt on NATO expansion | Daily Express U.S.

Sep 1, 2025 Update

Russia's latest war tactic: Hire local criminals | NBC News

Aug 31, 2025 Update

Russia Just Admitted Exactly What Everyone – But Trump – Already Knew About Putin's Ukraine Plans | HuffPost

Aug 29, 2025 Update

Zelenskyy reveals quicker way to end war | RBC Ukraine

NATO prompted to make military decision after Russia attack 'destroys everything' | Daily Express U.S.

Aug 28, 2025 Update

The 'real reason' JD Vance blew up at Zelensky in notorious White House bust-up' | Daily Express U.S.

Aug 24, 2025 Update

Ukraine now has its own weapons to strike deep into Russia without US approval, Zelenskyy says | Business Insider

Ukraine strike 'hits Russian nuclear power plant' as fears of disaster skyrocket | Daily Express U.S.

Aug 22, 2025 Update

Trump reacts to Russian strike on Flex plant in Mukachevo | RBC Ukraine

Russian soldier admits to executing five Ukrainian POWs on orders from female commander | The New Voice of Ukraine

Aug 21, 2025 Update

Putin issues formal demands to end Ukraine war after meeting with Trump: report | Fox News

Trump suggests Ukraine 'play offensive' as Russia downplays prospect of Putin-Zelenskyy summit | ABC News

Russia Draws Hard Line Over Security Guarantees for Ukraine | The Wall Street Journal

Aug 19, 2025 Update

'Nuclear Power': NATO Ally Issues Trump Credibility Warning Over Russia | Newsweek

Russia pounds Ukraine with largest aerial bombardment in a month hours after Trump-Zelensky meeting | Independent

Trump's Reset With Zelensky Triggers Warning From MAGA | Independent

Key takeaways from Trump and Zelenskyy's meeting, pivotal talks with European leaders | ABC News

This was worse than the last time Trump met Zelensky. It was also deeply weird | Independent

Aug 18, 2025 Update

Trump calls Putin to arrange meeting with Zelenskyy: Recap | USA Today

Aug 17, 2025 Update

Trump throws tantrum over Putin 'defeat' on eve of Zelensky meeting | The Mirror US

Starmer and European allies to head to US to support Zelensky in Oval Office showdown with Trump | Independent

Putin agrees that US, Europe could offer NATO-style security guarantees to Ukraine, Trump envoy says | Associated Press

Aug 16, 2025 Update

Melania Trump pens letter to Putin raising concerns about children | The Hill

Vladimir Putin covers face in layers of make-up as he appears after 'will die soon' claim | The Mirror US

Aug 15, 2025 Update

Trump taunted by Putin's top diplomat seconds after Russians arrive in Alaska | Raw Story

5 takeaways from the Trump-Putin summit | The Hill

Aug 14, 2025 Update

Russia is on the Verge of 'Operational-level Breakthrough' in Ukraine War | National Security Journal

Aug 13, 2025 Update

Russia Announces Nuclear Deployment Planning With Top Ally | Newsweek

Ukrainians Have Changed Their Minds on Ending War | Newsweek

Aug 12, 2025 Update

American Among Dead in Russian Ukraine Strike on Foreign Fighters' Mess Hall | National Security Journal

Russia threatens US with 'war for our future' after Trump 'loses patience' | Daily Express U.S.

Aug 9, 2025 Update

What Ukraine and other European allies are saying after Trump-Putin meeting announced | ABC News

Trump-Putin summit in Alaska resembles a slow defeat for Ukraine | CNN

Aug 8, 2025 Update

US-Russia Peace Deal Proposed, Huge Win for Putin: Report | Newsweek

Aug 7, 2025 Update

Zelensky Issues a Stark Warning About Russia | National Security Journal

What Witkoff really offered Putin on Ukraine: Media leak details | RBC Ukraine

Polish news outlet publishes Trump's proposal to Putin to end war | Ukrainska Pravda

U.S. offered Russia de facto recognition of occupied Ukrainian territories | The New Voice of Ukraine

Zelensky's defiant six-word message after confirming peace talks with Russia | Daily Express U.S.

Aug 6, 2025 Update

NATO Country Issues Nuclear War Warning | Newsweek

Panic in Russia as another major oil depot up in flames after massive attack | Daily Express U.S.

Trump Gives Update on Russia Talks After Calling Kremlin a 'Threat' | Newsweek

Why a Famous Warning From John McCain is Now Ukraine's War Strategy | National Security Journal

Trump Moves 'Nuclear' Subs: Negotiating Tactic or Escalatory Gamble? | CSIS

Russian troops spotted moving into neighboring country ahead of huge military operation | Daily Express U.S.

Trump hikes India tariffs to 50% for buying Russian oil | NBC News

Aug 5, 2025 Update

Russia adopts dangerous new tactic to attack Ukraine | The Daily Digest

Aug 4, 2025 Update

Russia Responds After Trump's Nuclear Submarine Move | Newsweek

Aug 2, 2025 Update

Putin embarrassed as Ukraine targets key infrastructure in huge attack | Daily Express U.S.

Aug 1, 2025 Update

Ukraine-Russia war latest: Zelensky calls for Russian regime change as Trump says Putin's invasion is 'disgusting' | Independent

Jul 31, 2025 Update

Trump Escalates Feud with Putin Ally | Newsweek

Jul 30, 2025 Update

Russia threatens US with 'war for our future' after Trump 'loses patience' | Daily Express U.S.

Jul 28, 2025 Update

Russia's Ukraine War Machine Is Now Running on Fumes and North Korean Shells | National Security Journal

Jul 25, 2025 Update

Russian troops tried to break through to Stepnohirsk in Zaporizhzhia region: None of them returned | RBC Ukraine

Jul 24, 2025 Update

Ukraine's ex-top general Zaluzhnyi warns war with Russia could last until 2034 | The Kyiv Independent

Jul 22, 2025 Update

Russia Moves in on Pokrovsk in What Would Be Huge Win in Ukraine War | Newsweek

Jul 20, 2025 Update

Zelensky Makes Fresh Offer To Putin | Newsweek

Jul 18, 2025 Update

Russia says NATO threatens WWIII in latest deterrence plan that could take down Kaliningrad 'faster than ever' | Fox News

Russian military captain demands Putin use hypersonic nuclear missile on US and Europe | The Mirror US

Jul 17, 2025 Update

Former Russia president urges Putin to launch 'preventative' strikes at US | Daily Express U.S.

Nightmare for NATO: Russia Just 'Deliberately' Bombed a Polish Factory in Ukraine | National Security Journal

NATO unveils lightning‑fast Kaliningrad neutralization plan should Russia attack | RBC Ukraine

Jul 16, 2025 Update

Russia Issues Nuclear Warning After Trump's Weapons for Ukraine Plan | Newsweek

Putin Snubs Trump by Unleashing Deadly Strike After President's Ultimatum | Newsweek

Jul 15, 2025 Update

Moscow issues chilling six-word verdict on Trump's warning to Putin | Daily Express U.S.

Jul 14, 2025 Update

Trump touts weapon sales to NATO for Ukraine and threatens Russia with 100% tariffs | NPR

Jul 9, 2025 Update

Russia batters Ukraine with more than 700 drones, the largest barrage of the war, officials say | Associated Press

Jul 8, 2025 Update

Trump issues new 6-word warning to Moscow as Putin 'killing a lot of people' | Daily Express U.S.

Jul 7, 2025 Update

What Ukraine's air defenders and first responders are seeing in Russia's deadly double-tap strikes | Business Insider

In an interview with the Hungarian publication Magyar Nemzet, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reiterated Russia's demands for peace between Russia and Ukraine:

Demilitarization of Ukraine to ensure it's neutrality
No NATO expansion and no NATO membership for Ukraine
Protections for ethnic Russians and Russian culture in Ukraine
International legal recognition of the "new territorial realities" including Crimea, Sevastopol, Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson
Lifting of sanctions on Russia, rescinding all lawsuits against Russia, and returning illegally seized Western-based assets

Source:

Croucher, Shane. (July 7, 2025). "Lavrov Lists Russia Demands for Ukraine Peace". Newsweek. Retrieved 2025-07-08

Jul 6, 2025 Update

World War III will start with simultaneous Xi and Putin invasions taking the globe to the brink of Armageddon, warns NATO chief Mark Rutte | Daily Mail

Pipelines supplying Russian military explode in Russia's Far East, HUR source says | The Kyiv Independent

Russian weapons base explodes as Ukraine pummels Putin's prized assets in devastating blow | Daily Express U.S.

Jul 4, 2025 Update

Russia launches largest missile and drone barrage on Kyiv since war in Ukraine began | Associated Press

China warns EU that Russia cannot afford to lose war against Ukraine | RBC Ukraine

Russia cannot lose the war in Ukraine, Beijing warns - because US will then turn its full attention on China | Daily Mail

Putin's sly dig at Trump as he mocks US Independence Day | Daily Express U.S.

NATO Allies Sound Alarm on Russia Chemical Weapons | Newsweek

Zelensky Reveals Details of Key Trump Call: 'Very Important and Useful' | Newsweek

After a rally in Iowa, Donald Trump said the following to reporters concerning his phone call yesterday with Vladimir Putin:

I'm very disappointed with the conversation I had today with President Putin, because I don't think he's there. I don't think he's there, and I'm very disappointed. I'm just saying, I don't think he's looking to stop, and that's too bad.

According to the Kremlin's readout of the Trump call, Putin told Trump that "Russia will achieve its goals" and that "Russia will not retreat from these goals."

Source:

Croucher, Shane. (July 4, 2025). "Trump Shares Candid Assessment of Putin Call". Newsweek. Retrieved 2025-07-04

When Trump says "I don't think he's there," I think Trump means that Putin is not ready for and/or does not want peace.

It's clear that Trump never bothered to read the address that Putin gave on February 21, 2022 just prior to the invasion in which he described in great detail his rationale and justification for invading Ukraine.

Trump said repeatedly during his 2024 presidential campaign that he would end the war in 24 hours, and he meant it literally. Now, over five months later, nothing of real substance has been accomplished in terms of ending the war.

I've written previously about the effects an egocentric, "know it all" mind and personality can have on behavior, and this is a prime example regarding Trump.

Trump has thought all along that he has this good relationship with Putin, that he can talk to him, and that he is the only one that can make a "deal" and resolve the Ukraine/Russia war. But it's Trump's narcissistic, egocentric mindset that gets in the way of him actually doing a little research (in this case by reading Putin's February 21, 2022 address) because Trump thinks he already knows all he needs to know.

Anyone who took the time to read that address, or even read the bullet points knows that Putin is not interested, and never was interested in peace or compromise. In a nutshell, Putin thinks he has every right to do what he's doing, and he's not going to back down.

Donald Trump has absolutely no business being in the White House.

Jul 3, 2025 Update

'A powerful secondary explosion' — Ukrainian drones destroy Russian ammunition depot in Donetsk Oblast, SBU says | The Kyiv Independent

Jul 2, 2025 Update

NATO Scrambles Multiple Fighter Jets After Long-Range Russian Strikes | Newsweek

Russia Could Now Win the War Against Ukraine | National Security Journal

Jul 1, 2025 Update

Ukrainian drone hits a plant deep inside Russia after record Russian drone attacks in June | Associated Press

Trump Reacts as Russia Deploys 50K Troops Near Ukraine | Newsweek

Jun 29, 2025 Update

Zelenskyy sends sharp warning to Russia's neighbors with landmine treaty withdrawal | RBC Ukraine

Ukrainian President Moves to Withdraw From Ottawa Convention: What to Know | Newsweek

Huge Russian attack on Ukraine prompts NATO response as 'hero' pilot dies | Daily Express U.S.

NATO Scrambles Fighter Jets After Russia's Largest Air Assault on Ukraine | Newsweek

Jun 28, 2025 Update

Ukraine Destroys Russian Fighter-Bombers in Precision Air Base Attack | Newsweek

Russia has amassed 110,000 troops near strategic Ukrainian city, Kyiv says | CNN"

Jun 27, 2025 Update

Moscow 'Rocked by Wave of Explosions' as Ukraine Drone Attacks Intensify | National Security Journal

Russia and Ukraine trade long-range drone attacks as Putin says Moscow is ready for new peace talks | Associated Press

Jun 26, 2025 Update

NATO's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine | NATO

China Reacts to 'Massive' NATO Warning | Newsweek

Trump and Zelenskyy Meet on Sidelines of NATO Summit | Council on Foreign Relations

Jun 25, 2025 Update

Trump meets with Zelenskyy at NATO summit, says Ukraine war is 'a mess' for Putin | PBS

Humiliated Trump gives bumbling answer when asked about ending Ukraine war in 24 hours | Irish Star

Zelenskyy after meeting with Trump: 'We talked about the battlefield. Putin is definitely not winning' | Ukrainska Pravda

NATO states commit to supporting Ukrainian Armed Forces through defence spending | Ukrainska Pravda

Jun 24, 2025 Update

Zelensky Assassination Plot Foiled: What to Know | Newsweek

Jun 23, 2025 Update

Ukraine war latest: 'Ukrainian drones for the foot of every Russian soldier' — Zelensky responds to Putin's threat to conquer all of Ukraine | The Kyiv Independent

Jun 21, 2025 Update

In an interview with Sky News Arabia, Vladimir Putin stated his case for a possible end to the war between Russia and Ukraine:

Ukraine must recognize the September 2022 Russian referenda which led to the annexation of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia
Ukraine's leadership should "be guided by national interests and not by the interests of third parties [like the U.S., European countries, and NATO]"
For long-term stability in the region, Ukraine must be neutral, must refuse to join alliances, and must renounce nuclear weapons

Source:

Cole, Brenda. (June 21, 2025). "Vladimir Putin Issues Warning of New War". Newsweek. Retrieved 2025-06-21

Jun 20, 2025 Update

Speaking at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Vladimir Putin made the following statements:

We have a saying… where the foot of a Russian soldier steps, that is ours.

I have said many times that I consider the Russian and Ukrainian peoples to be one people. In this sense, all of Ukraine is ours.

Putin also accused Ukraine of having abandoned its previous declaration of being a "neutral state."

Source:

Connor, Richard. (June 20, 2025). "Putin: 'All of Ukraine is ours' in theory, eyes Sumy city". Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 2025-06-21

Jun 19, 2025 Update

Missile threat shakes Kremlin? Putin seeks dialogue with Germany over Ukraine | RBC Ukraine

Jun 17, 2025 Update

G7 leaders fail to reach ambitious joint agreements on key issues after Trump's exit | Associated Press

Jun 16, 2025 Update

Carney says support for Ukraine will be 'unwavering' on final day of G7 summit | BBC

Trump slams Obama, Trudeau for pushing Russia out of G8 summit years ago: 'Wouldn't have a war' | Fox New

Jun 10, 2025 Update

German intelligence warns: Disturbing signals from Moscow suggest Ukraine may be just first target | RBC Ukraine

Jun 9, 2025 Update

Ukraine says Russia launched the biggest overnight drone bombardment of the war | Associated Press

NATO chief's new warning to Putin as new invasion fears surge | Daily Express U.S.

Russia Won't End Ukraine War Until NATO 'Pulls Out' of Baltics: Moscow | Newsweek

Jun 8, 2025 Update

Trump administration redirects 20,000 anti-drone missiles meant for Ukraine, Zelensky confirms | The Kyiv Independent

Zelenskyy: US has sent 20,000 missiles bound for Ukraine to Middle East instead | Ukrainska Pravda

Jun 2, 2025 Update

Erdoğan wants to bring Trump, Putin and Zelenskyy to table in Türkiye | RBC Ukraine

Jun 1, 2025 Update

Ukraine destroys 40 aircraft deep inside Russia ahead of peace talks in Istanbul | Associated Press

May 30, 2025 Update

Not just Trump and Putin: Zelenskyy wants another world leader to join negotiations | RBC Ukraine

Russian representative warns of war escalation at UN, Ukraine urges response | RBC Ukraine

May 29, 2025 Update

After 3 days of consecutive attacks on Ukraine, Russia calls UN meeting over alleged European 'threats to peace' | The Kyiv Independent

May 28, 2025 Update

Putin Makes Major Demand To End Ukraine War, Sources Say | HuffPost

May 27, 2025 Update

What Germany's Green Light for Ukraine to Strike Inside Russia Means for the War | Time

May 26, 2025 Update

CNN abruptly stopped for breaking news as Donald Trump explodes at reporter over Ukraine question | The Mirror

Kremlin muses about 'emotional overload' after Trump asks if Putin is 'crazy' | NBC News

May 23, 2025 Update

Putin declares buffer zone: What Ukraine says | RBC Ukraine

Kremlin sets condition for peace deal with Ukraine | RBC Ukraine

May 22, 2025 Update

Editorial: Russia just said it doesn't want peace in Ukraine. This is what you need to do | The Kyiv Independent

May 20, 2025 Update

'It's our land' — Zelensky responds to Putin's call with Trump | The Kyiv Independent

May 19, 2025 Update

Trump holds 2-hour phone call with Putin before conversation with Ukraine's Zelenskyy | CBS News

Ukraine-Russia talks in Istanbul end, Moscow demands Kyiv withdraw from 4 regions, no ceasefire agreement | The Kyiv Independent

May 17, 2025 Update

Putin just proved how powerless Trump is | AlterNet

The farce of Trump's Russia-Ukraine peace talks | MSNBC

May 13, 2025 Update

Kremlin lists conditions for talks in Istanbul: What Russia wants from Ukraine | RBC Ukraine

Zelensky insists he will only join Ukraine-Russia talks in Turkey this week if Putin is present | CNN

May 12, 2025 Update

Europe and US briefly upped the pressure on Russia over Ukraine. Trump upended that | CNN

Putin given 12 hours to accept ceasefire as Germany issues ultimatum to Russia | RBC Ukraine

May 10, 2025 Update

After ceasefire demand, Kremlin calls European statements 'confrontational' | Reuters

May 5, 2025 Update

Ukraine's parliament unanimously ratifies mineral exploitation deal with the US | EuroNews

May 1, 2025 Update

Ukraine and the U.S. have signed a long-stalled minerals deal | NPR

Russia's Foreign Ministry states it will not allow Ukraine to be restored within 1991 borders | Ukrainska Pravda

USA‑Ukraine pact rattles Moscow: Medvedev's sharp reaction | EssaNews

Apr 30, 2025 Update

Seven takeaways from US-Ukraine resources deal | BBC

Here's what's in Trump's Ukraine minerals deal and how it affects the war | CNN

Why Crimea matters so much to Putin – and now Trump | The Independent

Apr 28, 2025 Update

Rubio spoke with Lavrov, urged Russia to end war immediately, State Department says | The Kyiv Independent

Apr 25, 2025 Update

Ukraine communicated its 'red lines' on ceasefire deal to US | The New Voice of Ukraine

Apr 23, 2025 Update

According to Axios, at peace talks in Paris last week the U.S. presented a one-page document (peace plan) to Ukrainian officials. The document was described as Trump's "final offer."

For Russia the plan includes:

"De jure" [according to rightful entitlement or claim] U.S. recognition of Russian control in Crimea.
"De-facto recognition" of the Russia's occupation of nearly all of Luhansk oblast and the occupied portions of Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.
A promise that Ukraine will not become a member of NATO. The text notes that Ukraine could become part of the European Union.
The lifting of sanctions imposed since 2014.
Enhanced economic cooperation with the U.S., particularly in the energy and industrial sectors.

For Ukraine the plan includes:

"A robust security guarantee" involving an ad hoc group of European countries and potentially also like-minded non-European countries. The document is vague in terms of how this peacekeeping operation would function and does not mention any U.S. participation.
Unimpeded passage of the Dnieper River, which runs along the front line in parts of southern Ukraine.
A promise that Ukraine will not become a member of NATO. The text notes that Ukraine could become part of the European Union.
Compensation and assistance for rebuilding, though the document does not say where the funding will come from.

In addition:

The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant — the largest such facility in Europe — will be considered as Ukrainian territory but operated by the U.S., with electricity supplied to both Ukraine and Russia.
The document references the U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal, which Trump has said will be signed on Thursday.

Source:

Ravid, Barack. (April 23, 2025). "Trump ends talks with Zelensky, accuses him of not being 'ready for peace'". Axios. Retrieved 2025-04-23

Trump to let Putin keep land seized from Ukraine | The Telegraph

Trump hammers Zelensky for Crimea red line in peace talks | The Hill

Apr 21, 2025 Update

Kremlin's glee as US rules out NATO membership for Ukraine | Daily Mail

Putin accused of breaching own truce as brief pause to fighting in Ukraine ends | CNN

Apr 18, 2025 Update

US will abandon Ukraine peace efforts 'within days' if no progress made, Rubio warns | CNN

Apr 16, 2025 Update

Russia strikes Ukrainian port city of Odesa, hours after NATO Secretary General's visit | Euronews

Apr 15, 2025 Update