Zelensky wants the US to ‘stand more firmly’ with Ukraine after Oval Office blowout

Sunday, 2 March 2025

The US President and his Vice President JD Vance berate Ukraine’s leader during heated talks at the White House as the US tries to bring an end to the three-year conflict with Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked the American people and leadership but said he wanted the US to “stand more firmly” with his nation a day after an astonishing Oval Office blowout with US President Donald Trump that left many uncertain where the once staunch allies stood.

The shouting match that unfolded on Friday in the final minutes of the highly anticipated meeting between Trump and Zelensky seemed to dash, at least for now, Ukrainian hopes that the United States could be locked in as a reliable partner in helping fend off, and conclude, Russia’s three-year onslaught.

Ukraine had walked into the meeting prepared to sign a mineral deal with the US, hoping it would be a step toward a just ceasefire, but left empty-handed.

In a series of posts on X on Saturday (local time), Zelensky said Ukrainians are “very grateful to the United States for all the support,” and specifically thanked Trump and Congress alongside the “American people.”

The wording could be seen as a direct response to President Trump who, less than 24 hours earlier, had berated Zelensky telling him “you have to be grateful”.

The Ukrainian President went on to say US support had been “vital in helping [Ukraine] survive” and that President Trump’s support is “crucial” but “I want the US to stand more firmly on our side”.

“We want only strong relations with America and I really hope we will have them,” he added.

Hours after the explosive meeting, US President Donald Trump said the Oval Office discussion “didn’t work out exactly great”, and he wants an “immediate” ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.

Donald Trump says his meeting with Ukraine's President Zelenskyy 'didn't work out,' accusing him of avoiding a ceasefire. Trump insists the US seeks peace, not prolonged conflict.

World leaders were quick to express their support and solidarity for Ukraine in posts on X, prompting Zelensky to reply “thank you for your support” to each.

The Ukrainian President has arrived in London for a summit organised by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer with other European leaders.

The pair are set to meet on Saturday afternoon, ahead of the summit on Sunday, which will also include leaders from France, Germany, Denmark, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Turkey, Finland, Sweden, Czechia and Romania, as well as the NATO secretary-general and the presidents of the European Commission and European Council.

Zelensky’s plane with the Ukrainian flag on its tail landed at London Stansted Airport the morning after the diplomatic spat on live TV.

Zelensky had been due to meet with Starmer on Sunday, hours before taking part in a London summit of European leaders to discuss how to ensure a peaceful end to the war and provide security across the continent.

But the timetable for their bilateral meeting was apparently sped up in the aftermath of the Washington visit.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky pauses during a interview with Fox News’ Bret Baier hours after the explosive meeting.

Meanwhile, Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson described Friday’s Oval Office blowout between Trump and Zelensky as a “complete political and diplomatic failure” for Kyiv.

In a statement on Saturday, Maria Zakharova also slammed the “political weakness and extreme moral degradation” of European leaders who continue to support Ukraine and its president.

Vice President JD Vance, speaks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, as US President Donald Trump listens in the Oval Office at the White House.

Zakharova said Russia’s war aims remain unchanged, implying Moscow will insist on a demilitarised Ukraine barred from NATO, and on annexing Ukrainian territories it controls.