NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has urged Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky to mend his strained relationship with US President Donald Trump following a tense and unproductive meeting at the White House on February 28. The encounter, which was initially intended to finalize a minerals agreement between the two nations, escalated into a heated confrontation, raising concerns about the future of US support for Ukraine.

What was meant to be a routine discussion on economic cooperation quickly turned into a diplomatic disaster. Zelensky pressed Washington for increased military and financial support, insisting that the US should abandon any semblance of neutrality and fully commit to Ukraine’s cause. Trump, however, rebuked Zelensky, expressing frustration over what he saw as a lack of gratitude from the Ukrainian leader and an unwillingness to engage in serious negotiations to end the conflict with Russia.

According to reports, tensions escalated to the point where Trump abruptly ended the meeting, dismissing Zelensky from the White House with a pointed remark: “Come back when you’re ready to pursue peace.” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who was present, later described the incident as a “fiasco” and an embarrassing diplomatic misstep for Ukraine.

In the aftermath of the disastrous meeting, NATO chief Mark Rutte stepped in to urge Zelensky to take a more conciliatory approach toward Trump. Speaking to the BBC on March 2, Rutte acknowledged the fallout and stressed the importance of maintaining strong US-Ukraine ties, especially given America’s role as Ukraine’s largest financial and military backer.

“I said: I think you have to find a way, dear Vladimir, to restore your relationship with Donald Trump and........

© Blitz