Key developments on Feb. 28:
- Zelensky, Trump get into heated argument whereas talking with journalists in Oval Workplace
- US terminates assist for Ukraine's power grid restoration, NBC experiences
- Trump could halt all army support to Ukraine following Oval Workplace conflict, WP experiences
- Kremlin officers tout Zelensky-Trump conflict as 'historic'
- Italy requires 'instant' summit between US, Europe following Zelensky-Trump conflict
- European leaders reaffirm assist for Ukraine after Zelensky-Trump conflict
- Ukraine repelled Russian try and cross into Sumy Oblast on Feb. 25, preventing continues, army says
President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump held a 45-minute-long press briefing within the Oval Workplace that led to a heated argument about American support to Ukraine, and the canceling of the deliberate signing of the U.S.-Ukraine mineral settlement.
In a put up on Fact Social after the assembly, Trump mentioned that Zelensky "disrespected the US of America within the cherished Oval Workplace."
"He can come again when he’s prepared for peace," he added.
Zelensky met Trump in Washington on Feb. 28 as the 2 leaders have been anticipated to signal a framework deal on Ukraine's pure sources.
However throughout a press convention, a scuffle started following Zelensky's reply to U.S. Vice President JD Vance's comments.
In response to a journalist’s query that Trump and his administration have been aligning themselves with President Vladimir Putin and Russia, Vance interjected, saying that former President Joe Biden had carried out nothing to finish the conflict in Ukraine via diplomatic means.
"The trail to peace and the trail to prosperity is participating in diplomacy. What makes America is an effective nation is America participating in diplomacy. That’s what President Trump is doing," Vance mentioned.
Zelensky responded by explaining the historical past of Russian aggression in opposition to Ukraine that started in 2014 with Russia’s invasion in the east and the annexation of Crimea, noting that Moscow had damaged a ceasefire deal negotiated in 2019 via diplomatic efforts with France and Germany.
"What sort of diplomacy, JD, you might be talking about?" Zelensky requested. "What do you imply?"
"I’m speaking in regards to the type of diplomacy that’s going to finish the destruction of your nation," Vance mentioned in response.
The Kyiv IndependentThe Kyiv Independent
It was at that time that Vance grew to become noticeably irritated and commenced chastising Zelensky.
"Mr. President, with respect, I feel it's disrespectful so that you can come into the Oval Workplace and attempt to litigate this in entrance of the American media," Vance mentioned.
"Proper now, you guys are going round and forcing conscripts to the entrance traces as a result of you’ve got manpower issues. You ought to be thanking the President for making an attempt to convey an finish to this battle."
Zelensky requested Vance if he'd been to Ukraine himself to see the issues the nation confronted.
"I've been… I've really seen and watched the tales," Vance mentioned.
At one level when Zelensky started to reply, Trump mentioned: "You've carried out plenty of speaking. Your nation is in large bother. You're not successful this."
"We’re staying, Mr. President, we’re staying in our nation, staying robust. From the very starting of the conflict, we've been alone. And we’re grateful. I mentioned thanks on this Cupboard," Zelensky responded.
"You aren’t in a superb place. You don't have the correct playing cards proper now," Trump mentioned.
"I'm not enjoying playing cards," Zelensky responded.
"You're playing with World Conflict III. You're playing with World Conflict III! And what you're doing may be very disrespectful to the nation, this nation. It's again to you," Trump mentioned.
Trump additionally mentioned Ukraine had not been alone as a result of "silly" former President Biden gave Kyiv army support.
"When you didn't have our army gear, this conflict would have been over in two weeks. Okay?" Trump added.
"You've gotta be extra grateful" — outstanding scenes out of the White Home as Trump and JD Vance crew as much as do Putin's bidding and demean Zelenskyy pic.twitter.com/wjp8UfqN0G
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) February 28, 2025
Trump mentioned it was going to be a "very arduous factor to do enterprise like this" earlier than Vance falsely recommended Zelensky had by no means thanked the U.S. for support.
Zelensky as soon as once more mentioned he was grateful earlier than Trump accused him of not being severe about wanting a ceasefire.
"You’re buried there. You’re … persons are dying. You're working low on troopers," he mentioned.
"In fact, we wish to cease the conflict," Zelensky replied.
"However you're saying you don't need a ceasefire? I need a ceasefire. Since you’ll get a ceasefire quicker than an settlement," Trump mentioned.
"It’s going to make nice tv," Trump mentioned after the argument. The press briefing ended shortly after.
In one of many movies posted on-line, Ukrainian Ambassador to the U.S. Oksana Markarova is seen shaking her head in disbelief.
The response of Ukraine’s Ambassador to the US, Oksana Markarova, throughout the heated alternate between Trump and Zelenskiy. pic.twitter.com/OA8UJlEHRc
— annmarie hordern (@annmarie) February 28, 2025
Based on CNN, Zelensky left the White Home shortly after, and the deliberate signing of the mineral deal and a deliberate press convention have been each canceled.
Zelensky's go to was preceded by weeks of tense negotiations as Ukraine rejected the preliminary two draft mineral deal proposals, presenting them as one-sided obligations for Ukraine with none safety commitments on Washington's aspect.
The long-debated settlement would have established a fund to which Ukraine would contribute 50% of proceeds from the long run monetization of state-owned mineral sources, together with oil, fuel, and logistics infrastructure.
The Kyiv IndependentChris York
US terminates assist for Ukraine's power grid restoration, NBC experiences
The U.S. Company for Worldwide Growth (USAID) was instructed by the State Division to terminate initiatives set to assist restore Ukraine's power grid, NBC Information reported, citing two USAID officers engaged on the matter.
The termination was finalized previous to Zelensky's go to to Washington.
“It considerably undercuts this administration’s skills to barter on the ceasefire, and it’d sign to Russia that we don’t care about Ukraine or our previous investments,” a USAID official told NBC News.
Russia has launched greater than 30 mass strikes on Ukraine's power infrastructure over the three years of its full-scale invasion, Power Minister Herman Halushchenko mentioned on Feb. 24.
"Every large-scale assault on the power sector includes 100-200, and now 3,000 totally different munitions that concurrently hit energy technology amenities, substations, energy traces, and fuel infrastructure," Halushchenko wrote on Fb.
Russia continues to focus on Ukrainian power infrastructure, testing Ukraine's resolve because the nation endures one other winter.
Materials losses from Russian attacks have amounted to "billions of {dollars}," in response to the minister.
USAID has funded a variety of initiatives in Ukraine, from power safety to civil society growth. Trump ordered a 90-day freeze on all international help upon taking workplace, successfully halting USAID-funded applications worldwide.
Ukraine is working to safe different funding sources for essential applications beforehand supported by the U.S. Company for Worldwide Growth (USAID) and has already reached preliminary agreements on some, Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Olha Stefanishyna mentioned on Feb. 7.
"The negotiations are ongoing. Ministers within the Ukrainian authorities have held conferences on essential applications — Power, Infrastructure, Digital Transformation, and Justice Ministries," she mentioned at a convention attended by the Kyiv Unbiased.
Stefanishyna emphasised that pressing funding has already been recognized for restoration efforts, power resilience, and cyber protection tasks.
The Kyiv IndependentTim Zadorozhnyy
Trump could halt all army support to Ukraine following Oval Workplace conflict, WP experiences
President Donald Trump is contemplating ending ongoing shipments of army support to Ukraine following a heated alternate within the White Home between Trump and Zelensky, the Washington Submit (WP) reported on Feb. 28, citing a senior Trump administration official.
Zelensky has repeatedly urged the U.S. to proceed delivery arms to Ukraine as a safety assure that might strengthen Kyiv's place in future peace negotiations with Russia.
After taking workplace on Jan. 20, the Trump administration was initially inclined to cease all support to Ukraine, however has since continued to ship weapons to the embattled nation. The Trump administration has mentioned it could not assist extra weapons shipments, however has not halted weapons shipments that have been began below the earlier Biden administration.
Trump signed an govt order on the primary day of his time period freezing foreign aid funding for 90 days.
Reuters reported in early February that opposing factions inside the administration had been debating whether or not the U.S. ought to proceed offering weapons.
The U.S. has supplied Ukraine with $65.9 billion in military aid because the begin of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Kremlin officers tout Zelensky-Trump conflict as 'historic'
Russian officers commented on the heated alternate between Zelensky and Trump on the White Home on Feb. 28, calling the conflict "historic" and "a furious reprimand from the Oval Workplace."
Kremlin adviser Kirill Dmitriev known as the argument "historic" in a put up on X.
Dmitriev serves as particular envoy to Russian President Vladimir Putin and took half within the current direct talks between the U.S. and Russia in Saudi Arabia.
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev praised Trump for telling "the reality," calling the argument "a furious reprimand" delivered to an "ungrateful" Zelensky.
Medvedev, at the moment a deputy chairman of Russia's Safety Council, has made quite a few inflammatory statements on social media platforms and has brazenly challenged Ukraine's right to exist as an impartial nation.
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Italy requires 'instant' summit between US, Europe following Zelensky-Trump conflict
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni known as on Feb. 28 for an "instant" summit between the US, EU, and Western allies to debate Ukraine amid ongoing peace talks.
Meloni's name for the summit follows a heated assembly between Zelensky and Trump within the White Home on Feb. 28 that culminated within the Ukrainian delegation being ordered to go away the White Home.
The assembly ended with out an settlement on a mineral deal after a 45-minute press briefing escalated right into a heated alternate over U.S. support to Ukraine and the circumstances of a possible peace take care of Russia.
Meloni known as for the summit to "discuss frankly about how we intend to take care of the good challenges of at the moment, beginning with Ukraine, which collectively we’ve got defended in recent times, and people that we’ll be known as upon to face sooner or later," in response to an announcement.
"Any division of the West makes us all weaker and favors those that want to see the decline of our civilization. A decline not of its energy or affect, however of the rules that based it, before everything freedom. A division wouldn’t profit anybody," the assertion continued.
Italy will likely be speaking with allies to suggest the assembly "within the coming hours."
Meloni's proposal comes as quite a lot of European leaders on Feb. 28 reaffirmed their assist for Ukraine and President Volodymyr Zelensky, following his tense assembly.
EU international coverage chief Kaja Kallas mentioned that "Right now, it grew to become clear that the free world wants a brand new chief," following the alternate.
The proposed summit follows one which French President Emmanuel Macron convened in Paris on Feb. 17, that introduced collectively leaders from Europe's largest nations and Britain, in addition to NATO Secretary Normal Mark Rutte and high EU officers.
European allies have change into more and more involved that they won’t have a job in negotiations between the U.S. and Russia's about ending the conflict — talks that Kyiv has additionally been sidelined from.
The Kyiv IndependentDmytro Basmat
European leaders reaffirm assist for Ukraine after Zelensky-Trump conflict
A variety of European leaders on Feb. 28 reaffirmed their assist for Ukraine and Zelensky, following his tense assembly with Trump on the White Home.
"Expensive Volodymyr Zelensky, pricey Ukrainian mates, you aren’t alone," Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk wrote on X.
Zelensky met with Trump within the Oval Office, the place they have been anticipated to finalize a framework deal on Ukraine's pure sources.
The assembly ended with out an settlement after a 45-minute press briefing escalated right into a heated exchange over U.S. support to Ukraine and the circumstances of a possible peace take care of Russia.
Zelensky left the White Home early without signing the minerals deal, which had been the main focus of weeks of negotiations between Washington and Kyiv.
Thanks America, thanks in your assist, thanks for this go to. Thanks @POTUS, Congress, and the American folks.
Ukraine wants simply and lasting peace, and we’re working precisely for that.— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 28, 2025
In response to the assembly, French President Emmanuel Macron reiterated that Russia is the aggressor in its conflict in opposition to Ukraine.
"There may be an aggressor, which is Russia, and an attacked folks, which is Ukraine," Macron informed reporters in Portugal.
"We should thank all those that helped, and we should respect those that have been preventing because the starting."
Based on Christopher Miller, the Monetary Instances' chief correspondent in Kyiv, Zelensky spoke by telephone with Macron and NATO Secretary Normal Mark Rutte following the conflict with Trump.
European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen reaffirmed the EU's dedication to supporting Ukraine.
"Your dignity honors the bravery of the Ukrainian folks. Be robust, be courageous, be fearless. You might be by no means alone, pricey President Volodymyr Zelensky," she posted.
EU international coverage chief Kaja Kallas emphasised the EU's dedication to stepping up help to Ukraine, enabling the nation to proceed resisting the aggressor.
"Right now, it grew to become clear that the free world wants a brand new chief. It's as much as us, Europeans, to take this problem," Kallas posted on X.
Your dignity honors the bravery of the Ukrainian folks.
Be robust, be courageous, be fearless. You might be by no means alone, pricey President @ZelenskyyUa.
We’ll proceed working with you for a simply and lasting peace.— António Costa (@eucopresident) February 28, 2025
Friedrich Merz, chief of Germany's conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU), echoed comparable sentiments, saying, "We must not ever confuse aggressor and sufferer on this horrible conflict."
German Overseas Minister Annalena Baerbock emphasised that Germany, together with its European allies, stays firmly on Ukraine's aspect in opposition to Russian aggression.
Moldovan President Maia Sandu underscored Ukraine's broader position in defending freedom.
"The reality is easy. Russia invaded Ukraine. Russia is the aggressor," she wrote on X.
Czech President Petr Pavel expressed robust assist for Ukraine, saying that the nation stands with Ukraine greater than ever.
"Time for Europe to step up its efforts," he mentioned.
Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala additionally voiced assist, writing, "We stand with Ukraine and on the aspect of the free world."
Officers from Spain, Lithuania, Latvia, Norway, and the Netherlands additionally issued statements reaffirming their dedication to Ukraine within the wake of the White Home assembly.
The Kyiv IndependentThe Kyiv Independent news desk
Ukraine repelled Russian try and cross into Sumy Oblast on Feb. 25, preventing continues, army says
Russian forces tried to cross the Russia-Ukraine border in Sumy Oblast close to the village of Novenke on Feb. 25 however have been repelled, Dmytro Lyhkovii, a spokesperson for Ukraine's Normal Workers, informed the Interfax-Ukraine information company on Feb. 28.
Moscow's troops have since then continued in makes an attempt to hold out assaults within the space, Lykhovii mentioned amid current experiences on Russian forces trying to storm the border.
The spokesperson's feedback comply with the DeepState monitoring group marking Novenke as a contested space, suggesting that Russian forces crossed the border into Sumy Oblast. The village of Novenke lies simply throughout the border, some 40 kilometers (25 miles) north of the regional heart, Sumy.
Northeastern Sumy Oblast borders Russia's Kursk Oblast, the place Ukrainian forces launched an incursion final summer time to attract away Moscow's troops from Donbas and disrupt Russian plans for an offensive from the north.
"On Feb. 25, (Russia) stormed this part of the border (at Novenke) with forces of as much as two mechanized models, crossed the state border of Ukraine, however was blocked and thrown again to the territory of the Russian Federation," Lykhovii informed Interfax-Ukraine.
"Subsequently, Russian troops proceed to aim assault actions, now with infantry teams."
Andrii Kovalenko, head of the Heart for Countering Disinformation, mentioned that Russia has been finishing up infantry assaults close to Novenke for a number of days, resulting in localized skirmishes on the border.
Kovalenko denied that the assaults would mark the beginning of a brand new offensive as Russia doesn’t have "neither the energy nor the means for this."
The Kyiv Unbiased couldn’t confirm the claims.
Ukraine launched a shock cross-border incursion into Kursk Oblast in August 2024. After six months of preventing within the area, Russian troops have regained control of about 64% of the territory within the area, the Russian army claimed.
Russian casualties have reached practically 40,000 in Kursk Oblast, together with over 16,000 killed, Ukraine's Normal Workers reported on Feb. 6. Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said last November that the incursion thwarted Russia's plans to invade Sumy Oblast in an try and create a "buffer zone" within the area.
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