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by Dmytro Basmat February 28, 2025 9:02 PM 1 min read
This audio is created with AI assistance
Editor's note: This is a developing story and is being updated.
President Volodymyr Zelensky left the White House early without signing a mineral deal with the United States following a heated exchange with President Donald Trump on Feb. 28.
Zelensky departed in his motorcade around 1:45 p.m. local time, without holding a joint news conference scheduled for later in the day.
A source familiar with the matter told CNN that the mineral deal between the U.S. and Ukraine was not signed following the tense exchange.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Feb. 28, after meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House, that Zelensky "is not ready for peace."
"He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for peace," Trump posted on TruthSocial.
This came as the two leaders got into a heated argument while speaking with journalists in the Oval Office.
BREAKING: Zelensky ‘not ready for peace,’ Trump says after heated Oval Office clash
“He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for peace,” U.S. President Donald Trump posted on TruthSocial.
The Kyiv IndependentTim Zadorozhnyy
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8:42 PM
(Updated: February 28, 2025 9:02 pm)
BREAKING: Zelensky 'not ready for peace,' Trump says after heated Oval Office clash.
"He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for peace," U.S. President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social.
9:02 PM
Zelensky leaves White House without signing minerals deal after Oval Office clash with Trump.
President Volodymyr Zelensky left the White House early without signing a mineral deal with the United States following a heated exchange with President Donald Trump on Feb. 28.
6:26 PM
(Updated: February 28, 2025 8:01 pm)
Zelensky meets Trump in Washington to sign natural resources deal.
President Volodymyr Zelensky met U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on Feb. 28 as the two leaders are expected to sign a framework deal on Ukraine's natural resources.
7:26 PM
Zelensky, Trump get into heated argument while speaking with journalists in Oval Office.
President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump held a 45-minute-long press briefing in the Oval Office that ended in a heated argument about American aid to Ukraine.
7:25 PM
Trump says he's 'for both Ukraine and Russia' during meeting with Zelensky.
Talking about his role in negotiations to end Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Trump said he was "in the middle."
7:16 PM
Ukraine's security guarantees are Europe's responsibility, Trump tells Zelensky.
U.S. President Donald Trump said he wants to finalize the peace deal first, adding that security guarantees accounted for only a small part of the issue.
6:05 PM
Weapons, cash seized as Romania targets far-right politician Georgescu's network, Reuters reports.
Romanian prosecutors requested the temporary arrest of 21 individuals linked to far-right leader Calin Georgescu on Feb. 28, days after his detention, Reuters reported.
How Ukrainians fund their own fight against Russia.
While Ukraine heavily relies on foreign aid, the country’s war effort is also funded by its own people. In 2024 alone, individual volunteers and fundraisers have raised nearly $1 billion to buy critical weapons and equipment for the Ukrainian military. But why do ordinary Ukrainians continue donating when international aid exists? And how has Ukraine’s unique culture of giving become a lifeline for the country’s survival?
5:18 PM
Orban opposes Ukraine's EU accession, claiming it would 'destroy' Hungary.
"It will destroy us. First of all, it will destroy Hungarian farmers and Hungarian agriculture; secondly, it will destroy the entire Hungarian national economy, and I have no idea how we will control the crime that will flood into Hungary with this," Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said.
5:12 PM
Russia interested in lifting US sanctions against oligarchs, energy exports, Zelensky's adviser says.
"Our understanding is that they are most concerned about two things. The first thing is those oligarchs who are under U.S., EU, and U.K. sanctions because this is a real problem for them. And the second thing is what prevents Russia from making money — energy (sanctions)," said Vladyslav Vlasiuk, the president's commissioner for sanctions.
4:52 PM
Washington approves new Russian ambassador to US, Russian Foreign Ministry says.
Alexander Darchiev, a veteran diplomat with a half-decade of experience in Washington, previously served as Russia's ambassador to Canada from 2014 to 2021 and later as the director of the North American Department at the Russian Foreign Ministry.
4:44 PM
Russia proposes resuming direct flights with US during talks in Turkey, Reuters reports.
Russia has suggested resuming direct air travel with the United States during diplomatic talks in Istanbul, Reuters reported, citing the Russian Foreign Ministry.
4:13 PM
Klitschko announces dismissals of top Kyiv administration officials amid corruption probe.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko announced on Feb. 28 that Petro Olenych, the deputy head of the Kyiv City Administration, and several other officials embroiled in a corruption probe would be dismissed.
1:34 PM
(Updated: February 28, 2025 3:44 pm)
Updated: Ukraine repelled Russian attempt to cross into Sumy Oblast on Feb. 25, fighting continues, military says.
Russian forces attempted to cross the Russia-Ukraine border in Sumy Oblast near the village of Novenke on Feb. 25 but were repelled, Dmytro Lyhkovii, a spokesperson for Ukraine's General Staff, told the Interfax-Ukraine news agency on Feb. 28.
3:24 PM
North Korea tests strategic cruise missiles as Kim orders nuclear readiness, state media reports.
North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, who supervised the launch, ordered the country's military to be in full nuclear strike readiness as "the most perfect deterrence and defence capacity."
2:21 PM
Ukrainian forces destroy Russian thermobaric munitions depot in Donetsk Oblast, General Staff reports.
A video of the strike shows an initial explosion is followed by a spectacular series of much larger subsequent explosions.
1:15 PM
Police raid Ukraine's 3 country's largest pharmaceutical plants, media reports.
The police searched the offices and production facilities of Arterium Corporation, Farmak Joint Stock Company, and Darnytsia Pharmaceutical Company, Ukrainska Pravda's source claimed.
2:31 PM
(Updated: February 28, 2025 12:47 pm)
Updated: Revolut denies operating in Ukraine without license after central bank's pushback.
According to Ukrainian banking law, a foreign bank can only operate in Ukraine if it opens a local branch or obtains a banking license. This process must first be approved by the NBU, the bank said in the press release.
12:26 PM
Starmer invites Zelensky, other leaders to summit on Ukraine, security on March 2.
Among those invited to the summit are leaders from all over Europe, including France, Germany, Denmark, and Italy, as well as Turkey, NATO, and the European Union.
11:49 AM
Europe cannot be vassal of US, Macron says amid Trump's foreign policy shifts.
Speaking during his two-day visit to Portugal, French President Emmanuel Macron said that Europe must be "more united and stronger than ever" and take decisive steps in "technological, industrial, (and) defense matters."
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