Discussion Between Trump, Zelensky and Vance Turns Sour | Here’s a Look at What Happened

The meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on February 28 turned sour when the focus on minerals-sharing agreements shifted to US’s support for Ukraine’s war against Russia. The meeting turned out to be a cacophony of unpleasant confrontation that shook the world.

In front of reporters, Trump and Vance berated Zelensky, accusing him of not being “thankful” and pressuring him to accept a peace deal with Russia. In response, Zelensky urged the two American leaders reconsider their stance highlighting that Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly breached ceasefire agreements by illegally occupying Ukrainian territory in the Crimean peninsula and violating human rights.

The tense argument left the Ukrainian leader uncomfortable and has amassed fierce backlash from left, right and centre.

The dramatic scenes inside the Oval Office prompted the opposition to accuse Trump of maintaining a pro-Russian position on the ongoing Russia- Ukraine war. While Democrats have called on Trump and Vance's actions of putting forth Moscow’s agenda, Republicans defended their stance by conceiving the thought of “America First.”

A Democratic party leader from Massachusetts even went on to say that Zelensky “flew to Washington but walked into the Kremlin” in the aftermath of the fiery meeting.

Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen wrote, “What we saw in the Oval Office today was beyond disgraceful. Trump and Vance berating Zelensky- putting on a show of lies and misinformation that would make Putin blush-is an embarrassment for America and a betrayal of our allies. They're popping champagne in the Kremlin.”

On the other hand, Republicans say the Oval Office confrontation as a necessary shift in US policy.

House Speaker Mike Johnson said, “Thanks to President Trump-the days of America being taken advantage of and disrespected are OVER... What we witnessed in the Oval Office today was an American President putting America first.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrote on social media, “Thank you @POTUS for standing up for America in a way that no President has ever had the courage to do before. Thank you for putting America First. America is with you!”