Zelensky’s Actions That Provoked Trump: Tensions Rise Over Ukraine War Negotiations

[Social Media]

 

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has reportedly frustrated Donald Trump so much during ongoing peace negotiations with Russia that the former U.S. president nearly withdrew American military support for Ukraine, according to three U.S. officials familiar with the discussions.  

 

The friction between Trump and Zelensky escalated into a heated exchange that alarmed European allies, who fear the consequences of emboldening Russian President Vladimir Putin. “President Trump is obviously very frustrated right now with President Zelensky,” National Security Advisor Mike Waltz stated during a White House press briefing.  

 

The relationship between the two leaders has been uneasy since Trump’s first impeachment in 2019, which stemmed from his efforts to condition U.S. military aid on Zelensky’s willingness to investigate Joe Biden’s son and his connections to a Ukrainian gas company. Now, as Trump attempts to implement his promise of a swift resolution to the Russia-Ukraine war, he is finding it more difficult than expected.  

 

According to six administration officials, Zelensky made five key missteps over the past nine days that irritated Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Waltz. One official remarked that Zelensky “showed how not to do the ‘Art of the Deal’” when seeking Trump’s support.  

 

On February 12, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent met with Zelensky in Kyiv to offer a proposal granting the U.S. access to Ukraine’s mineral rights in exchange for de facto American protection. Trump later described Zelensky as “rude” for delaying the meeting because he had slept in. Two days later, at the Munich Security Conference, Vance and Rubio pressed Zelensky to approve the deal, only for him to respond that he lacked the authority to do so unilaterally without parliamentary approval.  

 

Then, on February 15, Zelensky publicly rejected the proposal at the conference, calling it “not in the interests of a sovereign Ukraine,” a stark contrast to his more optimistic remarks on social media the day before. The situation worsened on February 18 when Zelensky criticized peace talks held in Saudi Arabia between U.S. officials and Russian negotiators, saying Ukraine had been excluded. In response, an enraged Trump held a press conference at Mar-a-Lago, where he falsely claimed Zelensky had started the war with Russia and had an approval rating of only four percent.  

 

The conflict escalated further on February 19 when Zelensky retaliated, accusing Trump of living in a “disinformation space.” Trump then fired back on Truth Social, mocking Zelensky as a “modestly successful comedian” turned “dictator without elections,” a pointed remark given Trump’s refusal to label Putin a dictator.  

 

Vance later expressed his frustration with Zelensky’s actions. “He’s attacking the only reason [Ukraine] exists, publicly, right now. And it’s disgraceful. And it’s not something that is going to move the president of the United States. In fact, it’s going to have the opposite effect,” he told *The National Pulse.*  

 

Three administration sources suggested that Vance’s comments were a veiled threat that Trump could withdraw support from Ukraine altogether. From the White House’s perspective, Zelensky had grown too accustomed to the unconditional backing of former President Biden, NATO allies, and positive media coverage. “Zelensky is an actor who committed a common mistake of theater kids: He started to think he’s the character he plays on TV,” said one White House official involved in the negotiations. “Yes, he has been brave and stood up to Russia. But he would be six feet under if it wasn’t for the millions we spent, and he needs to exit stage right with all the drama.”  

 

Another official remarked, “We created a monster with Zelensky. And these Trump-deranged Europeans who won’t send troops are giving him terrible advice.” A third added, “In the course of a week, Zelensky rebuffed President Trump’s treasury secretary, his secretary of state, and his vice president, all before moving on to personally insulting President Trump in the press. What did Zelensky think was going to happen?”  

 

Despite the animosity, Trump’s team is still negotiating with Zelensky, and a revised mineral-rights deal remains on the table as part of a potential peace agreement. However, the deal itself could prove highly controversial. Based on public and private statements, Trump’s administration appears poised to pressure Zelensky into conceding Crimea, parts of eastern Ukraine, and the Azov Coast in exchange for an end to hostilities.

 

Critics have likened the U.S. insistence on claiming a share of Ukraine’s mineral wealth to a “mafia shakedown,” arguing that Ukraine would be forced to surrender land and resources while gaining little in return. “It’s a sh*t sandwich,” admitted one Trump administration official. “But Ukraine is going to have to eat it because [Trump] has made clear this is no longer our problem.”

 

Based on a report by AXIOS  2025-02-22

 

 

 

 

[Purdey]

Trump could easily end hostile feelings with Russia by allowing Russia mineral rights in Alaska. Then he would understand Zelensky's feelings.

Give Putin what he wants and he will want more.

[willip]

Stop all aid.!make the comedian suffer.  He's corrupt and so is Ukraine. He's gone unchecked for years. Billions has been siphoned by him. Stand strong Trump. Take no <deleted>. The west should keep out. I'm English but I don't agree with supporting zelensky. Stop the open checkbook!!!!!

 

 

[save the frogs]

his name is Volodymyr and not Vladimir

 

[newbee2022]

1 hour ago, willip said:

Billions has been siphoned by him

You got evidence? Show us

[Muhendis]

I expect Trump has worked out a business deal with Putin same as he wants to do with Zelensky.

Trump will continue doing deals with both sides with little regard for the war and politics.

[kwonitoy]

21 minutes ago, Muhendis said:

I expect Trump has worked out a business deal with Putin same as he wants to do with Zelensky.

Trump will continue doing deals with both sides with little regard for the war and politics.

 

I don't think so.

He is transactional, what's in it for me is his guiding thought

Everyone ascribes trumps actions to some master plan and cunning.

But he has no plan and is definitely not cunning

He does not have meetings with his own aides, gives them no guidance and offers no insight because he has none

He fires off tweets at 3am depending on how wronged he feels, and loves to give bloviating speeches about how great he is and how wrong everyone else is.

Right now he's fixated on minerals that he has no idea of what they even are.

Next week will find another shiny object that he must have and the cycle will continue

He is literally the dumbest person in every room he enters

 

[spidermike007]

Trump does not like pushback. He prefers absolute fealty and total obedience. He is not getting that. So, he is a petulant, angry child. 

[Thingamabob]

A lot of pre-negotiation posturing going on. Meantime, it would be helpful if Zelensky would explain where the money has gone. So far the USA has contributed USD 150 billion approx to the war effort, much of it un-accounted for.

[mfd101]

And now Turkey is entering the game, on Zelensky's & Ukraine's side. This will jolt the Europeans in to action.

 

A little down the track & Trump will be irrelevant for Ukraine's defence. Only one loser in that: Trump & Usofa.

[couchpotato]

5 minutes ago, Thingamabob said:

A lot of pre-negotiation posturing going on. Meantime, it would be helpful if Zelensky would explain where the money has gone. So far the USA has contributed USD 150 million approx to the war effort, much of it un-accounted for.

I think billion, not million.

[HappyExpat57]

Just now, couchpotato said:

I think billion, not million.

 

Yes, 150 million is a rounding error in the US budget.

[Thingamabob]

1 minute ago, couchpotato said:

I think billion, not million.

My mistake. Should have read USD 150 billion.

[newbee2022]

51 minutes ago, kwonitoy said:

 

I don't think so.

He is transactional, what's in it for me is his guiding thought

Everyone ascribes trumps actions to some master plan and cunning.

But he has no plan and is definitely not cunning

He does not have meetings with his own aides, gives them no guidance and offers no insight because he has none

He fires off tweets at 3am depending on how wronged he feels, and loves to give bloviating speeches about how great he is and how wrong everyone else is.

Right now he's fixated on minerals that he has no idea of what they even are.

Next week will find another shiny object that he must have and the cycle will continue

He is literally the dumbest person in every room he enters

 

Perfect description and lovely cartoon

[Jingthing]

31 minutes ago, Thingamabob said:

A lot of pre-negotiation posturing going on. Meantime, it would be helpful if Zelensky would explain where the money has gone. So far the USA has contributed USD 150 billion approx to the war effort, much of it un-accounted for.

Oh Geez!
Another one that has bought the Kremlin/Trump propaganda lies.

 

[Dionigi]

According to the US department of state:

How much aid has the US given to Ukraine?

 

To date, we have provided $65.9 billion in military assistance since Russia launched its premeditated, unprovoked, and brutal full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, and approximately $69.2 billion in military assistance since Russia's initial invasion of Ukraine in 2014

 

The website shows an enormous list of military equipment how is this being siphoned off? Unless you think that Ukraine are selling it

[mrfill]

3 hours ago, willip said:

Stop all aid.!make the comedian suffer.  He's corrupt and so is Ukraine. He's gone unchecked for years. Billions has been siphoned by him. Stand strong Trump. Take no <deleted>. The west should keep out. I'm English but I don't agree with supporting zelensky. Stop the open checkbook!!!!!

 

 

Was the lobotomy painful?

[Thingamabob]

18 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Oh Geez!
Another one that has bought the Kremlin/Trump propaganda lies.

 

So, kindly tell us where the money has gone (assuming you care).

[Presnock]

2 hours ago, Muhendis said:

I expect Trump has worked out a business deal with Putin same as he wants to do with Zelensky.

Trump will continue doing deals with both sides with little regard for the war and politics.

but only making deals in which he is the winner, not either side except it appears that he favors Putin over Ukraine.

[steven100]

3 hours ago, willip said:

Stop all aid.!make the comedian suffer.  He's corrupt and so is Ukraine. He's gone unchecked for years. Billions has been siphoned by him. Stand strong Trump. Take no <deleted>. The west should keep out. I'm English but I don't agree with supporting zelensky. Stop the open checkbook!!!!!

 

 

are you spitting the dummy just like daddy did .....   there '' there ...  have a banana  

[steven100]

Trump trash .....   his mouth is like a busted sewer pipe  

[Hakuna Matata]

4 hours ago, save the frogs said:

his name is Volodymyr and not Vladimir

 

 

Zelensky's birth certificate shows the newborn baby's name as VLADIMIR

 

Did he change his name later?

[Hakuna Matata]

1 hour ago, mfd101 said:

And now Turkey is entering the game, on Zelensky's & Ukraine's side

 

No, Türkiye is always balancing between 2 sides.

[Hakuna Matata]

16 minutes ago, steven100 said:

Trump trash .....   his mouth is like a busted sewer pipe  

 

Trump's team is reading this forum. Hate speech will have consequences. This is Trump.

[Hakuna Matata]

 

[Hakuna Matata]

 

[Hakuna Matata]

 

[Moonlover]

17 minutes ago, Hakuna Matata said:

 

Zelensky's birth certificate shows the baby name as VLADIMIR

 

Did he change his name later?

Have you seen his birth certificate? CNN say that his birth name is Volodymyr Oleksandrovych Zelensky. You know different do you?

 

https://edition.cnn.com/2022/03/29/europe/volodymyr-zelensky-fast-facts/index.html

[garzhe]

6 hours ago, Social Media said:

 

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has reportedly frustrated Donald Trump so much during ongoing peace negotiations with Russia that the former U.S. president nearly withdrew American military support for Ukraine, according to three U.S. officials familiar with the discussions.  

 

The friction between Trump and Zelensky escalated into a heated exchange that alarmed European allies, who fear the consequences of emboldening Russian President Vladimir Putin. “President Trump is obviously very frustrated right now with President Zelensky,” National Security Advisor Mike Waltz stated during a White House press briefing.  

 

 

The relationship between the two leaders has been uneasy since Trump’s first impeachment in 2019, which stemmed from his efforts to condition U.S. military aid on Zelensky’s willingness to investigate Joe Biden’s son and his connections to a Ukrainian gas company. Now, as Trump attempts to implement his promise of a swift resolution to the Russia-Ukraine war, he is finding it more difficult than expected.  

 

According to six administration officials, Zelensky made five key missteps over the past nine days that irritated Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Waltz. One official remarked that Zelensky “showed how not to do the ‘Art of the Deal’” when seeking Trump’s support.  

 

On February 12, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent met with Zelensky in Kyiv to offer a proposal granting the U.S. access to Ukraine’s mineral rights in exchange for de facto American protection. Trump later described Zelensky as “rude” for delaying the meeting because he had slept in. Two days later, at the Munich Security Conference, Vance and Rubio pressed Zelensky to approve the deal, only for him to respond that he lacked the authority to do so unilaterally without parliamentary approval.  

 

Then, on February 15, Zelensky publicly rejected the proposal at the conference, calling it “not in the interests of a sovereign Ukraine,” a stark contrast to his more optimistic remarks on social media the day before. The situation worsened on February 18 when Zelensky criticized peace talks held in Saudi Arabia between U.S. officials and Russian negotiators, saying Ukraine had been excluded. In response, an enraged Trump held a press conference at Mar-a-Lago, where he falsely claimed Zelensky had started the war with Russia and had an approval rating of only four percent.  

 

The conflict escalated further on February 19 when Zelensky retaliated, accusing Trump of living in a “disinformation space.” Trump then fired back on Truth Social, mocking Zelensky as a “modestly successful comedian” turned “dictator without elections,” a pointed remark given Trump’s refusal to label Putin a dictator.  

 

Vance later expressed his frustration with Zelensky’s actions. “He’s attacking the only reason [Ukraine] exists, publicly, right now. And it’s disgraceful. And it’s not something that is going to move the president of the United States. In fact, it’s going to have the opposite effect,” he told *The National Pulse.*  

 

Three administration sources suggested that Vance’s comments were a veiled threat that Trump could withdraw support from Ukraine altogether. From the White House’s perspective, Zelensky had grown too accustomed to the unconditional backing of former President Biden, NATO allies, and positive media coverage. “Zelensky is an actor who committed a common mistake of theater kids: He started to think he’s the character he plays on TV,” said one White House official involved in the negotiations. “Yes, he has been brave and stood up to Russia. But he would be six feet under if it wasn’t for the millions we spent, and he needs to exit stage right with all the drama.”  

 

Another official remarked, “We created a monster with Zelensky. And these Trump-deranged Europeans who won’t send troops are giving him terrible advice.” A third added, “In the course of a week, Zelensky rebuffed President Trump’s treasury secretary, his secretary of state, and his vice president, all before moving on to personally insulting President Trump in the press. What did Zelensky think was going to happen?”  

 

Despite the animosity, Trump’s team is still negotiating with Zelensky, and a revised mineral-rights deal remains on the table as part of a potential peace agreement. However, the deal itself could prove highly controversial. Based on public and private statements, Trump’s administration appears poised to pressure Zelensky into conceding Crimea, parts of eastern Ukraine, and the Azov Coast in exchange for an end to hostilities.

 

Critics have likened the U.S. insistence on claiming a share of Ukraine’s mineral wealth to a “mafia shakedown,” arguing that Ukraine would be forced to surrender land and resources while gaining little in return. “It’s a sh*t sandwich,” admitted one Trump administration official. “But Ukraine is going to have to eat it because [Trump] has made clear this is no longer our problem.”

 

Based on a report by AXIOS  2025-02-22

 

 

 

 

Zelensky’s Actions That Provoked Trump. Wrong title. Should be Trumps actions that provoked Zelensky

[Hakuna Matata]

15 minutes ago, Moonlover said:

Have you seen his birth certificate? CNN say that his birth name is Volodymyr Oleksandrovych Zelensky. You know different do you?

 

https://edition.cnn.com/2022/03/29/europe/volodymyr-zelensky-fast-facts/index.html

 

https://www.cultures-of-history.uni-jena.de/politics/russia/vladimir-versus-volodymyr-conflicting-russian-and-ukrainian-application-of-rus-heritage