Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On Friday, 28 February 2025, an unprecedented diplomatic scandal erupted at the White House: U.S. President Donald Trump abruptly ended negotiations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and demanded that he leave the presidential residence.

The cause of the conflict was a fundamental difference in views on issues related to the peaceful resolution of the conflict with Russia and the conditions for providing U.S. aid to Ukraine. Initially, it was expected that the meeting would end with the signing of an agreement to create a joint fund for the extraction of rare earth minerals on Ukrainian territory, which was seen as a form of compensation for the military and financial support that Washington had provided to Kyiv. However, the talks came to a deadlock after Trump sharply accused Zelensky of ingratitude and of refusing to compromise with Moscow. The dispute quickly escalated into a heated discussion, during which the U.S. president made it clear that further support for Ukraine would depend directly on its willingness to reach a peace agreement with Russia in the near future.

Later, Trump commented on the situation on social media, noting that the meeting with Zelensky had been “very substantive” because it revealed much that could not have been known without such a tense conversation. He emphasized that emotions play a key role in such negotiations and that, in his opinion, Zelensky is not seeking peace, as he is relying on the U.S. as a leverage in negotiations with Russia. In concluding his post, Trump stated that the Ukrainian leader would only be able to return to the White House when he was truly ready to achieve peace.

The incident sparked widespread international resonance. European leaders expressed support for Zelensky, condemned Trump’s actions, and stressed the importance of unity in providing aid to Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression.

The Ukrainian president, commenting on the situation, thanked the American people for their assistance, assuring that Kyiv remains committed to achieving a fair and lasting peace. At the same time, he emphasized that any agreements with Moscow must be reliably guaranteed by the international community.

This diplomatic conflict has only heightened tensions in the relationship between Washington and Kyiv, putting further cooperation between the two countries in the areas of security and economics at risk.

In recent weeks, Trump had repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction with Zelensky’s actions, accusing him of refusing to hold elections and deliberately prolonging the fighting for his own political interests.

Additionally, those in the president’s circle noted that Zelensky’s statements were hindering the peace process. The White House acknowledges the creation of a "monster" in the form of Zelensky, complicating further cooperation between the U.S. and Ukraine.