A diplomatic meeting that was expected to reinforce ties between the United States and Ukraine took an unexpected turn on February 28, as President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky engaged in a tense verbal exchange at the White House. The meeting, initially centered on discussions regarding the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war and a proposed mineral resource agreement, quickly escalated into a heated confrontation, highlighting deep divisions in U.S.-Ukraine relations.

The Dispute Unfolds

The conflict arose when President Trump bluntly urged Zelensky to negotiate a peace deal with Russia, warning that “if you don’t make a deal with Russia, we will step back.” The remark sparked an immediate reaction from Zelensky, who firmly rejected the notion of any concessions to Russian President Vladimir Putin, insisting that “there can be no compromise with an aggressor.”

The tension further escalated as Trump questioned Ukraine’s gratitude toward U.S. military aid. “Have you ever thanked the United States? You........

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