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By Jason Lemon
Deputy News Director
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Supporters of President Donald Trump's "Make America Great Again," or "MAGA," movement cheered him and Vice President JD Vance after a heated televised confrontation with Ukrainians President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on Friday.
Newsweek reached out to the Ukrainian Embassy via email for comment on Friday.
Why It Matters
Russia launched an invasion of Ukraine just over three years ago, and the United States has until now strongly supported Zelensky and his country with billions of dollars in military and humanitarian aid. However, Trump has long signaled that he may shift U.S. policy, criticizing Ukraine and speaking favorably of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
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Friday's White House meeting was intended to sign a deal related to Ukraine's rare minerals and discuss a diplomatic resolution to the war. The pre-meeting in front of the press at the White House on Friday quickly went off the rails, with Trump, who recently called Zelensky a dictator, and Vance berating the Ukrainian leader.
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What To Know
The White House meeting was a striking exchange of open antagonism in the Oval Office, a space typically reserved for formal diplomacy, especially among U.S. allies. Trump made clear his pressure on Zelensky to agree to a deal securing U.S. interests in Ukraine's valuable minerals and to pursue a diplomatic resolution to the war on his terms.
Vance told Zelensky: "Mr. President, with respect. I think it's disrespectful for you to come to the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the American media."
Zelensky attempted to interject, but Trump eventually raised his voice, warning: "You're gambling with the lives of millions of people.
"You're gambling with World War III, and what you're doing is very disrespectful to the country, this country that's backed you far more than a lot of people say they should have."
The mineral deal was not signed and the discussion of a path forward was cut short. Zelensky left the White House early and a press conference scheduled to take place after the meeting was canceled.
What MAGA Is Saying
Former Trump adviser Steve Bannon, a leading voice of the MAGA movement, on Gettr: "Told Ya Zelensky is a Punk," and in another post "A Master Class in How to Deal with an Entitled Punk Taught Expertly and with Dignity by President Trump and Vice President Vance."
Billionaire Elon Musk, on X, formerly Twitter: "Zelensky destroyed himself in the eyes of the American people."
Republican Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, on X: "President Trump and Vice President Vance will put America First every single time. Putting Zelensky in his place while he disrespects the U.S. in the Oval Office is exactly what American leadership should look like. This is what We The People want to see!"
Republican Utah Senator Mike Lee, on X: "Thank you for standing up for OUR COUNTRY and putting America first, President Trump and Vice President Vance!"
MAGA influencer and activist Laura Loomer, on X: "President Trump is reminding the American people what leading with strength looks like."
Charlie Kirk, founder and CEO of conservative organization Turning Point USA, on X: Wow! President Trump and JD Vance just told Zelenskyy exactly what millions of Americans have wanted to tell him, right to his face. Someone needed to say it."
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, on X: "Thank you, President Trump, for standing up for the American people and our nation on the global stage."
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, on X: "President Trump and Vice President Vance are standing up for the American people."
President Donald Trump, on Truth Social: "We had a very meaningful meeting in the White House today. Much was learned that could never be understood without conversation under such fire and pressure.
"It's amazing what comes out through emotion, and I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for Peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations. I don't want advantage, I want PEACE. He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for Peace."
What Trump Critics Are Saying
Former GOP Representative Liz Cheney, on X: "Generations of American patriots, from our revolution onward, have fought for the principles Zelenskyy is risking his life to defend. But today, Donald Trump and JD Vance attacked Zelenskyy and pressured him to surrender the freedom of his people to the KGB war criminal who invaded Ukraine. History will remember this day— when an American President and Vice President abandoned all we stand for."
Former GOP Representative Adam Kinzinger, on X: "Trump is too much of a coward to say a bad thing to Putin, yet he dares lecture Zelensky? Russia is on the verge of collapse and Trump/Vance are desperate to save them."
Former Trump official Alyssa Farah Griffin, who is now highly critical of the president, on X: "Zelensky would be wise to walk from a potential deal. Trump/ Vance simply do not believe in the Ukrainian war effort. He'll need to lean heavily on Europeans for increased support. But virtually impossible to see a scenario without US support where Ukraine doesn't have to give up some territory to Russia to reach a ceasefire."
What Russian and Ukrainian Leaders Are Saying
Dmitry Medvedev, a key Putin adviser and former Russian president, on Telegram: "A fierce dressing down in the Oval Office. Trump told the cocaine clown the truth to his face for the first time: the Kiev regime is playing with World War III. And the ungrateful pig got a solid slap from the pigsty owners. This is useful. But it is not enough – we need to stop military aid to the Nazi machine."
President Volodymyr Zelensky, on X: "Thank you America, thank you for your support, thank you for this visit. Thank you @POTUS, Congress, and the American people. Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for that."
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, on Telegram: "That Trump and Vance refrained from punching this scumbag is a miracle of restraint."
What Happens Next
It's unclear what will happen next for Ukraine, but most NATO allies continue to support Kyiv in its fight against Russia. It appears U.S. support might be limited moving forward.
Update 2/28/25, 2:24 p.m. ET: This story was updated with additional information.
Update 2/28/25, 3:14 p.m. ET: This story was updated with additional information.
Update 2/28/25, 3:22 p.m. ET: This story was updated with additional information.
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