Trump says Zelensky should fix the situation after argument - NBC News

The NBC News report notes that following the altercation, officials in Trump’s administration discussed whether to suspend US military aid to Ukraine. Two officials stated that it remains unclear if or when Trump might take such a step.

Sources told NBC News that the dispute in the White House was unplanned and "it was the exact opposite of how most people expected the exchange to go."

According to insiders, Trump’s administration was frustrated by Ukraine’s insistence on "security guarantees" in a minerals agreement, with Ukrainian officials reportedly pushing for changes to the document ahead of the meeting.

"It’s been abundantly clear to Zelenskyy that there would be no security guarantees in this deal," one source said.

White House officials remain uncertain about what Zelenskyy could do to persuade Trump to resume negotiations. When asked whether Trump and Zelenskyy could still cooperate on a "peace deal," one source responded, "I still think so, yes."

"The ball is in President Zelenskyy’s court. The president believes Zelenskyy has to come back to the table and he has to be the one to come and make it right," another source stated.

Trump-Zelenskyy altercation

On February 28, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the White House to meet with US President Donald Trump.

However, tensions flared during the discussion between Zelenskyy, Trump, and Vice President J.D. Vance over the war and what Trump called Ukraine’s alleged "lack of gratitude."

Zelenskyy left the White House earlier than planned, while Trump accused him of being unwilling to pursue peace.

Following the incident, Western media reported that Trump’s administration was considering suspending aid to Ukraine.