A minerals deal between Ukraine and the US that was meant to broker a ceasefire with Russia quickly fell apart on Friday. The talks, which were expected to be a key moment in the peace process, ended abruptly after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was berated by US Vice President JD Vance and President Donald Trump.
The meeting, which lasted nearly 45 minutes, turned into a shouting match when Trump criticized Zelenskyy for not being appreciative of US support during Ukraine’s three-year conflict with Russia. Vance also accused Zelenskyy of campaigning for former Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election.
Rep. Jim Costa (D-Fresno), who is a longtime supporter of Ukraine and the European Union, called the meeting a setup to belittle Zelenskyy. “I thought the agreement could build upon what we’ve already done,” Costa said. “But to see what appeared to me to be a setup to berate and belittle the president of Ukraine in that meeting at the Oval Office… is unfortunate.”
The collapse of the talks has raised concerns about Trump’s commitment to supporting Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. Costasaid the US should not reward Russia for invading foreign countries, adding that “if we stand by their side, along with our European allies, Putin cannot win this war, and we should not allow him to do so.”
Trump had initially said he wanted an immediate ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine or the US would cut off support. However, after the meeting, he later stated his desire for a cease-fire without mentioning any conditions.
The talks collapse come as Trump and Vance have declared themselves to be on Russia’s side in the Russo-Ukraine war, which many experts say is a catastrophic mistake for America’s national security.
Source: https://gvwire.com/2025/02/28/costa-says-trump-laid-trap-for-zelenskyy-calls-conference-a-setup