Volodymyr Zelenski, the President of Ukraine, expressed his fury in a closed-door meeting with Scott Bessent, an envoy of Donald Trump. According to reports, Zelenski’s outburst was so intense that it left Bessent shaking and the discussion was audible through the door of the room where they were meeting. This scene took place on February 12 in Kyiv, in the context of negotiations over an agreement that would involve the delivery of Ukrainian resources in exchange for U.S. military support.
The Trump administration seeks a quick resolution to the conflict and has demanded that Ukraine cede rights over its natural resources. This initial agreement stipulated an exorbitant figure of around $500 billion. However, the Ukrainian president was not willing to accept such conditions without further negotiation.
Conflict between the United States and Ukraine
Zelenski did not hold back and his deep voice resonated in the meeting as he responded to Bessent’s demands. This initial agreement stipulated an exorbitant figure of around $500 billion.The reaction of the Ukrainian president left Bessent, a former hedge fund director, visibly shaken, showing his trembling hands while speaking to reporters after the encounter. Since that episode, negotiations between the two parties have continued, but Zelenski is still not ready to accept the proposed agreement.
White House officials warned that Zelenski could be “six feet under” without U.S. support, fueling a dispute between the leaders. Despite the pressure, Kyiv remains steadfast, and sources indicate that officials from both countries negotiated throughout the night on Thursday into the early hours of Friday. The latest U.S. proposal includes demands for access to Ukraine’s rare minerals as well as its critical infrastructure, such as ports and oil resources.
On Monday, the Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine declared that both parties are in the “final stages” of negotiation, as “almost all key details have been finalized”. Despite Trump’s demand for 500 billion for “matching,” the U.S. Congress estimates that the support provided to Ukraine does not exceed £137 billion. This discrepancy has generated significant tensions, with Trump criticizing Zelensky, calling him a “dictator” and suggesting that he is not important in peace meetings, despite the invasion of his country.
Zelenski has also expressed his willingness to resign from his position in exchange for peace or NATO membership. “If it’s about peace in Ukraine and they really want me to leave my position, I am willing to do it [in exchange for peace],” commented the president, emphasizing that the security of Ukraine is his priority, not his tenure in power.
International Reactions and the Future of Ukraine
European leaders have expressed their discontent at being excluded from the peace talks that Trump has initiated with Russia. The new U.S. administration has changed its approach and is conducting unilateral negotiations with Moscow, which has left many European capitals upset, given that they have supported Ukraine more than the United States in the conflict.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin has declared that there are no grounds for dialogue with Europe on peace and demands that Washington “fully analyze the causes of the Ukrainian conflict.” Ukraine, in turn, is organizing ceremonies in Kyiv to maintain international support as the war continues and it seems that the United States is pulling away.
World leaders, such as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Sir Keir Starmer, have reaffirmed their support during these challenging times, with Starmer declaring: “I have a very simple and clear message today: the United Kingdom is with you today and every day.” In addition, he announced a new package of economic sanctions to force Russia “not only to talk, but also to make concessions.” Support for Ukraine continues to grow, with around 30 international leaders, including the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, visiting Kyiv. Zelenski shared a message of unity and resilience, emphasizing that “no one in the world believes Russian lies about our country and our people.”
In the political landscape, names of potential successors to Zelenski have begun to emerge in case he decides to resign. Among them are Valery Zaluzhny, known as “the Iron General,” and Vitali Klitschko, current mayor of Kyiv and former boxing champion, who could be prominent figures in Ukraine’s political future.