Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky’s recent meeting with US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office has sparked intense controversy, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio calling it a “fiasco” and demanding that Zelensky apologize. The February 28 encounter, initially expected to solidify Ukraine-US cooperation over mineral agreements, instead devolved into a heated exchange, highlighting the ongoing tensions between Washington and Kiev over the war with Russia.

The much-anticipated meeting in the Oval Office brought together Trump, Zelensky, and Vice President J.D. Vance. Expectations were high for formalizing a minerals agreement between Ukraine and the United States, a deal that would further integrate Ukraine into US economic and strategic frameworks. However, the discussion quickly turned sour when Trump confronted Zelensky with the notion that the Ukrainian leader must negotiate peace with Russia rather than continue pressing for unyielding US military support.

Zelensky, firm in his stance, argued that Russian President Vladimir Putin was not a reliable negotiating partner and insisted that the US continue its military and financial support to counter Russian aggression. Trump, in response, accused Zelensky of ingratitude and an unwillingness to pursue a realistic end to the war. This verbal confrontation effectively derailed the meeting, overshadowing the intended diplomatic agenda.

Speaking to CNN, Secretary of State Marco Rubio did not hold back in his criticism of Zelensky’s approach to the meeting, stating that the Ukrainian president had wasted everyone’s time. According to Rubio, Zelensky should apologize........

© Blitz