Closing summary
We’re going to wrap up this live coverage now, it’s just after 11.30pm in Washington DC and 6.3oam in Kyiv. You can read the top lines on the extraordinary scenes at the White House in our full report here, and below is an overview of all the latest. Thanks for reading.
US military support for Ukraine hangs in the balance and talks over a minerals deal have collapsed after a meeting between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy descended into acrimony at the White House on Friday. The US president berated his Ukrainian counterpart and then abruptly called off the minerals deal that Trump had said would be the first step towards a ceasefire with Russia.
Trump warned Zelenskyy he was “gambling with world war three” and told him to come back “when he is ready for peace”. A full transcript of the Oval Office clash can be read here. The meeting between Trump, vice-president JD Vance and Zelenskyy had been due to continue behind closed doors but was cut short after the open clash, with Zelenskyy leaving the White House early and a press conference to announce the minerals deal being cancelled.
US secretary of state Marco Rubio called on Zelenskyy to apologise after the Trump meeting, while questioning whether the Ukrainian leader really wanted a peace deal, according to a CNN report. Zelenskyy should “apologise for turning this thing into the fiasco for him that it became”, Rubio told the news outlet. “There was no need for him to go in there and become antagonistic.”
Zelenskyy expressed regret that the Trump meeting became acrimonious but is insisting their relationship can be salvaged. The Ukrainian leader defended himself in an interview on Fox News while also agreeing the dispute was “not good for both sides”. Asked if he felt like he owed the US president an apology, as many of Trump’s Republican allies have also demanded, Zelenskyy did not directly answer, saying instead: “I think that we have to be very open and very honest. And I’m not sure that we did something bad.”
The Trump administration is considering ending all ongoing shipments of military aid to Ukraine after the Oval Office meeting, according to a report. The decision, if taken, would apply to billions of dollars of radars, vehicles, ammunition and missiles awaiting shipment to Ukraine through the presidential drawdown authority, the Washington Post reports, citing a senior US official.
European leaders scrambled to stand by Ukraine in the wake of the Trump-Zelenskyy meeting. Zelenskyy thanked leaders from Europe who are still shaken by Vance’s chastising speech to the Munich Security Conference in February. Among those who assured Zelenskyy of Europe’s support were the heads of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and European Council head Antonio Costa. “Today, it became clear that the free world needs a new leader,” said the EU’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas. German chancellor Olaf Scholz said: “Ukraine can rely on Germany – and on Europe.” French president Emmanuel Macron said: “Russia is the aggressor and Ukraine is the aggressed people.” A spokesperson for UK prime minister Keir Starmer said: “He retains his unwavering support for Ukraine.”
Hungary’s prime minister, Viktor Orbán, stood out in Europe for thanking Trump for having “stood bravely for peace”. Moscow reacted with glee to the Trump-Zelenskyy clash. Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, now deputy head of Russia’s security council, said on Telegram: “A brutal dressing down in the Oval Office.”
US Democratic lawmakers came to Zelenskyy’s defence in statements condemning Trump and Vance’s “shameful” and “disgraceful” treatment of the Ukrainian leader. But Trump’s Republican colleagues described the Oval Office exchange as evidence that the president was “putting America first”. US senator Lindsey Graham from South Carolina, who used to be one of the most outspoken advocates for supporting the Ukraine war effort, called on Zelenskyy to resign.
A Russian drone strike on a medical facility and other targets in Kharkiv late on Friday injured at least five people, according to local officials. Regional governor Oleh Syniehubov said eight drones hit civilian areas in three central districts of Ukraine’s second largest city. More than 50 people were evacuated from the medical facility and emergency crews were bringing a fire triggered by the strike under control, he said. Dozens of buildings were damaged.
Updated
Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said the public row with Donald Trump is “not good for both sides”, as we’ve reported, but also that Trump needs to understand that Ukraine can’t change its attitudes towards Russia on a dime.
The Ukrainian leader told Fox News that Ukraine wouldn’t enter peace talks with Russia until it had security guarantees against another Russian offensive.
“It’s so sensitive for our people,” Zelenskyy said.
And they just want to hear that America [is] on our side, that America will stay with us. Not with Russia, with us. That’s it.
You can read more on this and all the key points around the Russia-Ukraine conflict in today’s Ukraine war briefing here:
Updated
Donald Trump continued his pressure on Volodymyr Zelenskyy in comments to reporters before he left the White House for his home in Florida on Friday.
The US president said he wanted an “immediate” ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine and warned Zelenskyy to make peace or lose US support, the Associated Press reports.
“I want it to end immediately,” Trump said. “I want a ceasefire now.”
He repeated his earlier comments that Ukraine had a weak hand, saying: “You can’t embolden somebody that doesn’t have the cards.” Without US support, Ukraine would lose, Trump said.
You saw what I saw today. This is a man that wants to get us signed up and keep fighting. We’re not doing that.
Ukrainians have rallied around Volodymyr Zelenskyy as a defender of his country’s interests following his tumultuous meeting at the White House.
Many Ukrainians seemed unfazed by the blowout, expressing a sense that the Ukrainian leader had stood up for their country’s dignity and interests, the Associated Press reports.
Nataliia Serhiienko, 67, a retiree in Kyiv, said she thought Ukrainians approved of their president’s performance in Washington “because Zelenskyy fought like a lion”.
Oleh Syniehubov, head of the Kharkiv region that borders Russia, praised Zelenskyy after the tense exchanges, saying:
Our leader, despite the pressure, stands firm in defending the interests of Ukraine and Ukrainians.
Updated
The unprecedented scenes in the Oval Office dominated British front pages on Saturday, with newspapers united in their horror. Adjectives including disastrous and vile were used to describe the meeting in which Donald Trump and his vice-president openly berated Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Here’s the full report:
Rubio says Zelenskyy should apologise – report
US secretary of state Marco Rubio has said Volodymyr Zelenskyy should apologise after his meeting with Donald Trump devolved into what Rubio described as a “fiasco”, according to a CNN report, while questioning whether the Ukrainian leader really wants a peace deal.
In an interview with the news outlet, Rubio called on Zelenskyy to “apologise for turning this thing into the fiasco for him that it became”, after his US meeting with Trump and JD Vance became a shouting match. “There was no need for him to go in there and become antagonistic,” Rubio said on Friday.
When you start talking about that aggressively – and the president is a deal maker, he made deals his entire life – you’re not going to get people to the table.
And so you start to perceive that maybe Zelenskyy doesn’t want a peace deal. He says he does, but maybe he doesn’t.
As the report continued:
Rubio’s remarks underlined the serious damage that has been done to the US-Ukrainian relationship at the end of a week that also saw the leaders of the UK and France visit Washington to make the case to Trump that the US needs to mediate an end to the war that doesn’t prioritise Russian president Vladimir Putin’s interests over Zelensky’s.
Updated
Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed regret that the Oval Office meeting with Donald Trump devolved into a shocking display of acrimony between the leaders of two historically allied nations but is insisting their relationship can be salvaged, Lauren Gambino is reporting.
Hours after the public confrontation in which Trump and Vice-president JD Vance berated Zelenskyy, accusing him of “gambling with world war three”, the Ukrainian leader defended himself during an in-studio interview on Fox News, while also agreeing that the dispute was “not good for both sides”.
Asked by the host, Bret Baier, if he felt like he owed the US president an apology, as many of Trump’s Republican allies have demanded, Zelenskyy did not directly answer. Baier pressed, and asked again whether he owes Trump an apology. Zelenskyy again did not answer, saying instead:
I think that we have to be very open and very honest. And I’m not sure that we did something bad.
You can read the full report here:
Continuing from the last post with world leaders’ reactions to the fiery meeting at the White House.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen on X:
Your dignity honors the bravery of the Ukrainian people. Be strong, be brave, be fearless. You are never alone, dear President.
We will continue working with you for a just and lasting peace.
Moldovan president Maia Sandu on X:
The truth is simple. Russia invaded Ukraine. Russia is the aggressor. Ukraine defends its freedom – and ours. We stand with Ukraine.
Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez on X:
Ukraine, Spain stands with you.
Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán on X:
Strong men make peace, weak men make war. Today President @realDonaldTrump stood bravely for peace. Even if it was difficult for many to digest. Thank you, Mr. President!
Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia’s security council, on Telegram:
A brutal dressing down in the Oval Office.
Czech president Petr Pavel on X:
We stand with Ukraine more than ever. Time for Europe to step up its efforts.
Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Støre in a statement to TV2:
What we saw from the White House today is serious and disheartening … That Trump accuses Zelenskiy of gambling with world war three is deeply unreasonable and a statement I distance myself from. Norway stands with Ukraine in their struggle for freedom.
Dutch prime minister Dick Schoof:
The Netherlands continues to support Ukraine. Especially now. We want lasting peace and an end to the war of aggression that Russia has started. For Ukraine, for all its inhabitants and for Europe.
Estonian foreign minister Margus Tsahkna on X:
The only obstacle to peace is [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s decision to continue his war of aggression. If Russia stops fighting, there will be no war. If Ukraine stops fighting, there will be no Ukraine. Estonia’s support to Ukraine remains unwavering. Time for Europe to step up.
Polish prime minister Donald Tusk on X:
Dear @ZelenskyyUa, dear Ukrainian friends, you are not alone.
– With Reuters
Updated
World leaders react to Trump-Zelenskyy clash
The Trump-Zelenskyy clashes in the Oval Office prompted an outpouring of reaction from around the world. Here’s a cross-section of leaders’ comments, care of Reuters.
Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau on X:
Russia illegally and unjustifiably invaded Ukraine. For three years now, Ukrainians have fought with courage and resilience. Their fight for democracy, freedom, and sovereignty is a fight that matters to us all. Canada will continue to stand with Ukraine and Ukrainians in achieving a just and lasting peace.
German chancellor Olaf Scholz:
No one wants peace more than the citizens of Ukraine! That is why we are jointly seeking the path to a lasting and just peace. Ukraine can rely on Germany – and on Europe.
French president Emmanuel Macron:
Russia is the aggressor, and Ukraine is the aggressed people. I think we were all right to help Ukraine and sanction Russia three years ago, and to continue to do so … they are fighting for their dignity, their independence, their children and the security of Europe. These are simple things, but they’re good to remember at times like these, that’s all.
Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni:
Every division of the west makes us all weaker and favours those who would like to see the decline of our civilisation. Not of its power or influence but of the principles that founded it, first and foremost freedom. A division would not benefit anyone. What is needed is an immediate summit between the United States, European states and allies to talk frankly about how we intend to deal with the great challenges of today, starting with Ukraine … This is the proposal that Italy intends to make to its partners in the coming hours.
Spokesperson for UK prime minister Keir Starmer:
He retains his unwavering support for Ukraine and is playing his part to find a path forward to a lasting peace, based on sovereignty and security for Ukraine.
Danish foreign minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen on Facebook:
It’s a punch in the gut for Ukraine. ... There must be room for robust conversations – even between friends. But when it happens in front of rolling cameras like that, there is only one winner. And he sits in the Kremlin.
Updated
Australia’s prime minister has reiterated his country’s support for Ukraine after the fiery meeting between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy but has declined to comment directly on how the confrontation might affect Australia’s relationship with the US.
Donna Lu reports that Anthony Albanese was asked about Australia’s support for Ukraine at a press conference on Saturday morning and the PM said: “We will continue to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes. Because this is the struggle of a democratic nation versus an authoritarian regime led by Vladimir Putin, who clearly has imperialistic designs not just on Ukraine but throughout that region.”
Pressed specifically about the “extraordinary” exchange between Trump and Zelenskyy, Australia’s prime minister avoided discussing Trump directly, saying: “I am responsible for Australia’s foreign policy. Australia’s foreign policy is determined by Australia.”
To read the full story, click here:
Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said his relationship with the US can still be repaired after the heated exchanges with Donald Trump and JD Vance in the White House.
“Of course,” Zelensky said when asked in a Fox News interview if the relationship with Trump could be salvaged.
US-Ukrainian ties were about “more than two presidents”, he said, adding that Ukraine badly needed Washington’s help in the fight against Russia’s far bigger and better-armed military.
“It will be difficult without your support,” Zelensky said on Fox.
Agence France-Presse also reports that Zelenskyy’s olive branch came hours after Friday’s extraordinary Oval Office scene where the years-long US policy of huge support for Ukraine against Russia collapsed in a shouting match.
President Trump told journalists later Friday that Zelenskyy was “overplaying his hand” and should agree to end fighting “immediately”.
Zelensky, however, refused to apologise, telling Fox News: “I’m not sure that we did something bad.” But he also said he wished the exchange had not taken place in front of reporters.
Updated
At least five hurt in Russian strike on Kharkiv – officials
The toll of injured from a Russian drone strike on a medical facility and other targets in Kharkiv late on Friday has risen to at least five, according to local officials.
As reported earlier, regional governor Oleh Syniehubov said on Telegram that eight Russian drones had hit civilian areas in three central districts of Ukraine’s second largest city.
He has now said five people were hurt, Reuters reports.
Kharkiv’s mayor, Ihor Terekhov, put the injury toll at seven.
Syniehubov said more than 50 people were evacuated from the medical facility and emergency crews were bringing under control a fire triggered by the strike.
He said dozens of buildings were damaged, with windows shattered in an apartment building, a car dealership and a hypermarket.
In the Black Sea port of Odesa in southern Ukraine, meanwhile, a drone attack reportedly triggered fires in a private home and a business, killing one person and injuring another.
This is Adam Fulton picking up our live coverage
Updated
President Trump is not interested in revisiting or reviving the Ukraine minerals deal at the moment, a senior White House official told Reuters.
Zelenskyy’s delegation began “begging” to sign the deal immediately after being told to leave the White House, the official also claimed.
Updated
Zelenskyy also told Fox News that he wanted Donald Trump to be more on Ukraine’s side.
He added he believes his relationship with the US president can be salvaged.
When asked whether he regrets the fractious exchange in front of reporters, Zelenskyy said “Yes, I think it was not good.”
US military support for Ukraine hangs in the balance and talks over a minerals deal have collapsed following a disastrous White House summit in which Donald Trump warned Volodymyr Zelenskyy that he was “gambling with world war three” and told the Ukrainian president to come back “when he is ready for peace”.
Zelenskyy left the White House early and a press conference to announce the minerals deal was cancelled after Trump gave Zelenskyy a dressing-down that followed an ambush led by the vice-president, JD Vance, to shatter the fragile relationship between the two leaders.
The US president received the Ukrainian president on Friday to discuss a controversial mineral resources deal that Trump has said is the first step toward a ceasefire agreement that he is seeking to broker between Russia and Ukraine.
But the meeting on Friday degenerated after Zelenskyy suggested that Vance, a sceptic of US support for Ukraine, should come to the country to see the destruction from the invasion and that Russia was responsible for the continued fighting.
The meeting had been due to continue behind closed doors, but was cut short after the open display of antagonism in the Oval Office.
Updated
Volodymyr Zelenskyy is appearing on Fox News following the abrupt end to his meeting with Donald Trump.
Zelenskyy said: “This kind of spat is not good for both sides.
“I’m very open but I can’t change our Ukrainian attitude to Russia
“They are killers to us. This is very clear to us.
“America is our friend, Europe is our friend … Russia is our enemy. It doesn’t mean we don’t want peace.”
On whether he owes Trump an apology, Zelenskyy said: “I respect President [Trump] and respect American people. I think that we have to be very open and very honest.
“We are partners, we are very close partners. We have to be fair, we have to be free.”
He also acknowledged it was not ideal for the fractious exchange to take place in front of reporters. “Some things we have to discuss out of [the] media,” the Ukraine president added.
Updated
A child was injured after Russian drones struck a medical facility and other targets late on Friday in Ukraine’s second largest city, Kharkiv, the regional governor said.
Oleh Syniehubov, writing on the Telegram messaging app, said eight Russian drones had hit civilian areas in three central districts of the city, a frequent target of Russian attacks in the three-year-old war.
The attack triggered a fire in the medical facility and other sites and dozens of buildings were damaged. The child was injured by flying glass.
In the Black Sea port of Odesa, another frequent Russian target in southern Ukraine, a drone attack triggered fires in a private home and a business, killing one person and injuring another.
No matter their position on the Russia-Ukraine war, people who view the televised encounter between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office will likely be shocked. It didn’t morph into a full-on screaming match, but it came close.
The meeting might have gone sideways anyway, but JD Vance’s presence ensured that it became ugly – and quickly. The vice-president spoke over Zelenskyy, accused him of ingratitude for the assistance provided by the United States (“Have you ever said thank you?”) and of disrespecting Trump, his host, and, for good measure, scolded him for litigating his country’s case in public. That raised the temperature – a lot.
To be fair, the Ukrainian president shouldn’t have sprung the trap Vance set. He might have said that he had in fact expressed his gratitude in the past, wished to do so again, and was pleased to be in the United States to have a direct discussion with Donald Trump, a man he regards as a strong leader.
Summary of the day so far
A meeting between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy descended into chaos at the White House on Friday, as the US president berated his Ukrainian counterpart and then abruptly called off a minerals deal with that he had said would be the first step towards a ceasefire with Russia.
Here are the highlights of the conversation between Trump, Zelenskyy and US vice president JD Vance in the Oval Office. The meeting had been due to continue behind closed doors, but was cut short after the open display of antagonism in the Oval Office. Zelenskyy left the White House early and a press conference to announce the minerals deal was cancelled.
Trump warned Zelenskyy he was “gambling with world war three” and told the Ukrainian president to come back “when he is ready for peace”. The US president and his vice president gave Zelenskyy dressing-down, with Trump and Vance taking turns to berate the Ukrainian leader.
The Trump administration is considering ending all ongoing shipments of military aid to Ukraine after the Oval Office meeting, according to a report. The decision, if taken, would apply to billions of dollars of radars, vehicles, ammunition and missiles awaiting shipment to Ukraine through the presidential drawdown authority, the Washington Post reports, citing a senior US official.
European leaders scrambled to stand by Ukraine in the wake of the Trump-Zelenskyy meeting. Zelenskyy thanked leaders from Europe who are still shaken by Vance’s chastising speech to the Munich Security Conference earlier this month. Among those who assured Zelenskyy of Europe’s support were the heads of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and European Council head Antonio Costa. “Today, it became clear that the free world needs a new leader,” the EU’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas said. Hungary’s prime minister, Viktor Orbán, stood out for thanking Trump for having “stood bravely for peace”.
Moscow has reacted with glee to the confrontation between Trump and Zelenskyy. Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, now deputy head of Russia’s Security Council, called Zelenskyy an “insolent pig” who had received “a proper slap down in the Oval Office”.
The UK’s prime minister Keir Starmer spoke to Trump and Zelenskyy after the Oval Office meeting on Friday. Starmer “retains unwavering support for Ukraine, and is doing all he can to find a path forward to a lasting peace based on sovereignty and security for Ukraine”, Downing Street said. Starmer is scheduled to hold talks with Zelenskyy and Italy’s Giorgia Meloni in London on Sunday before a major London defence summit aimed at securing “lasting and enforced” peace in Ukraine. Meloni on Friday called for an immediate summit between the US, Europe and allies.
US Democratic lawmakers came to Zelenskyy’s defence in statements condemning Trump and Vance’s “shameful” and “disgraceful” treatment of the Ukrainian leader. But Trump’s Republican colleagues described the Oval Office exchange as evidence that the president was “putting America first”. US senator Lindsey Graham from South Carolina, who used to be one of the most outspoken advocates for supporting the Ukraine war effort, called on Zelenskyy to resign.
Russian drones struck a medical facility and triggered a fire late on Friday in Ukraine’s second largest city, Kharkiv, and also hit several other targets, according to the mayor of Kharkiv.
Donald Trump, speaking to reporters just now, claimed Volodymyr Zelenskyy is “looking for something that I’m not looking for”.
“He’s looking to go on and fight, fight, fight. We’re looking to end the death,” the US president told reporters.
Trump said Zelenskyy was “dealing with a very weak set of cards”, adding:
He doesn’t have the cards. When we signed up, he’s got all of the cards. That doesn’t mean he can fight. He’s got to stop the fighting, stop the death.
Asked whether he trusts Zelenskyy or Russian leader Vladimir Putin more, Trump said:
I don’t trust or distrust anybody, I just want to get the deal done.
Updated
Trump says Zelenskyy ‘overplayed his hand’ and says meeting ‘didn’t work out exactly great’
Donald Trump spoke to reporters as he departed the White House, during which he said Volodymyr Zelenskyy “overplayed his hand” in their meeting at the Oval Office earlier today.
“It didn’t work out exactly great,” Trump said about the meeting, adding that “I think [Zelenskyy] very much overplayed his hand”.
Trump claimed he wants an “immediate” ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, but claimed Zelenskyy “doesn’t want to make peace”.
Updated
Russia reacts with glee to Trump-Zelenskyy clash
Moscow has reacted with glee to the confrontation between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the White House on Friday.
Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, now deputy head of Russia’s security council, called Zelenskyy an “insolent pig” who had received “a proper slap down in the Oval Office”.
Kirill Dmitriev, head of Russia’s direct investment fund, called the heated confrontation between the US and Ukrainian leaders “historic”.
Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian foreign ministry, said it was a miracle that Trump and his vice-president, JD Vance, had restrained themselves from hitting Zelenskyy.
Konstantin Kosachyov, deputy chair of Russia’s upper house of parliament, said the bruising encounter had revealed Zelenskyy’s true colours. “Zelenskyiy lost this round with a deafening rattle. And he will have to crawl to the next one on his knees,” he wrote.
Former Kremlin adviser Sergei Markov said the White House meeting was likely to accelerate the end of Zelenskyy’s political career.
Longtime Russian lawmaker Andrei Klishas said the meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy had yielded a “brilliant result”, adding that the Ukrainian leader acted like a “clown” and had been thrown out of the White House “for bad behaviour and disrespect towards the US”.
Updated
Russian drones struck a medical facility and triggered a fire late on Friday in Ukraine’s second largest city, Kharkiv, and also hit several other targets, according to Kharkiv mayor Ihor Terekhov.
Drones also hit an area near a filling station and a building close to a high-rise apartment building, Reuters reports, citing Terekhov.
Kharkiv Oblast governor Oleh Syniehubov said all the strikes were in central districts of the city and emergency crews were working at the different sites.
Starmer expresses ‘unwavering support’ for Ukraine after calls with Trump and Zelenskyy
The UK’s prime minister Keir Starmer has spoken to Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday, Downing Street said.
Starmer “retains unwavering support for Ukraine, and is doing all he can to find a path forward to a lasting peace based on sovereignty and security for Ukraine”, a No 10 spokesperson said, adding:
The prime minister looks forward to hosting international leaders on Sunday including President Zelenskyy.
Updated
Italy’s prime minister Giorgia Meloni has called for an immediate summit between the US, Europe and allies to discuss how “to deal with the great challenges of today, starting with Ukraine”.
“Every division of the west makes us all weaker and favours those who would like to see the decline of our civilisation,” Meloni said in a statement.
A summit without delay is needed between the United States, European states and their allies to talk frankly about how we intend to tackle today’s major challenges, starting with Ukraine, which together we have defended in recent years.
Updated
US considering ending all military aid to Ukraine – report
The Trump administration is considering ending all ongoing shipments of military aid to Ukraine after a meeting between Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump in the Oval Office, the Washington Post reports.
The decision, if taken, would apply to billions of dollars of radars, vehicles, ammunition and missiles awaiting shipment to Ukraine through the presidential drawdown authority, the outlet reports, citing a senior US official.
The announcement comes in response to Zelenskyy’s remarks in the White House and “perceived intransigence in the peace process”, the paper writes.
According to the Post, the US official “pushed back on the notion” that the confrontation between Trump and his vice president JD Vance with Zelenskyy was premeditated.
Updated
“This is going to be great television,” Donald Trump remarked at the end. Sure. And the captain of the Titanic probably assured his passengers that this would make a great movie some day.
Trump has just presided over one of the greatest diplomatic disasters in modern history. Tempers flared, voices were raised and protocol was shredded in the once hallowed the Oval Office.
As Trump got into a shouting match with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a horrified Europe watched the post-second world war order crumble before its eyes.
Never before has a US president bullied and berated an adversary, never mind an ally, in such a public way. Of course reality TV star and wrestling fan turned US president had it all play out on television for the benefit of his populist support base – and a certain bare-chested chum in the Kremlin.
Read the full report from the Guardian’s DC bureau chief: Bullying, berating Trump shows his worst self in Zelenskyy ambush
Updated
Hungary’s prime minister Viktor Orbán has stood out from among his European colleagues for publicly expressing his support for Donald Trump after his meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House.
Orbán, a longtime Trump ally, cast Zelenskyy as working against peace in his own country in a social media post.
“Strong men make peace, weak men make war,” he wrote.
Today President Donald Trump stood bravely for peace. Even if it was difficult for many to digest. Thank you, Mr. President!
Updated
Gen Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s armed forces, said his forces stood with president Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Syrskyi, who rarely makes political statements, said:
The armed forces are with Ukraine, with the people, with the supreme commander-in-chief. Our strength is in unity. We continue to destroy the occupier, bringing victory closer. Glory to Ukraine!
Updated
Zelenskyy thanks European leaders for outpouring of support after Trump clash
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has thanked world leaders for their support after his meeting with Donald Trump, which devolved into a shouting match and the cancellation of a joint press conference scheduled for this afternoon.
Zelenskyy has taken to X, formerly Twitter, to thank leaders who have posted their support on the social media platform.
They include the leaders of Germany, Spain, France, Poland, Sweden, Norway, Moldova, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Denmark, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Czech Republic, Finland, Portugal, Croatia, the European Parliament, the European Commission and European Council.
Updated
Following Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s argument with Donald Trump in the White House, UK prime minister Keir Starmer has spoken over the phone with the Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
In a post on social media, the Turkish presidency said the two leaders discussed “regional and global matters”, adding that Turkey wants a “just and lasting peace as soon as possible” to the war in Ukraine.
Earlier this week, Bloomberg reported that Ankara was prepared to send peacekeeping troops to Ukraine to help monitor a ceasefire if one is agreed.
However, a source told the outlet that Turkey would not participate in any mission “unless it is involved in all consultations and preparations regarding its formation”.
Here’s a picture showing empty and tables in the East Room of the White House that were set up for an intended joint press conference and signing ceremony with Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
As we reported earlier, Zelenskyy’s planned appearances at the Hudson Institute and the Ukrainian House in DC have also been cancelled.
Updated
The EU’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said it has become clear that “the free world needs a new leader” after the clash between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House.
“Ukraine is Europe! We stand by Ukraine,” Kallas said in a social media statement.
We will step up our support to Ukraine so that they can continue to fight back the [aggressor]. Today, it became clear that the free world needs a new leader. It’s up to us, Europeans, to take this challenge.
Updated
US senator Lindsey Graham calls for Zelenskyy to resign
US senator Lindsey Graham from South Carolina, who has been one of the most outspoken advocates for supporting the Ukraine war effort, has condemned Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s “disrespectful” behaviour in the Oval Office and questioned whether Washington can continue to “do business” with the Ukrainian leader.
Graham called the White House meeting a “complete, utter disaster”, adding that he has “never been more proud” of Donald Trump.
Zelenskyy has “made it almost impossible to sell to the American people that he’s a good investment”, Graham told reporters outside the West Wing.
Asked whether Zelenskyy should step aside, Graham replied:
He either needs to resign or send somebody over that we can do business with, or he needs to change.
Graham also called on Zelenskyy to “apologise” to Trump or “accept the consequences” in an interview with Fox News.
What I want him to do, I guess, is just to say, ‘I screwed up big time for my country and for the US relationship and if I had to do it over again, I’d have done it differently and I’m sorry.
Updated
Zelenskyy ‘has bravery and strength to stand up for what is right’, says Ukrainian foreign minister
Ukraine’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha has defended his president Volodymyr Zelenskyy for having the “bravery and strength to stand up for what is right”.
Zelenskyy “stands up for Ukraine and the goal of a just and lasting peace”, Sybiha said on X, adding:
We have always been and will continue to be grateful to America for its support.
Sybiha said he has spoken with several of his European counterparts, including the foreign minister of the Netherlands, Caspar Veldkamp, Estonia’s Margus Tsahkna and Spain’s José Manuel Albares, since the meeting between Zelenskyy and Donald Trump.
Sybiha said he was “grateful” for the solidarity, adding “Ukraine is not alone”.
Updated
We reported earlier that France’s president Emmanuel Macron publicly voiced support for Volodymyr Zelenskyy soon after the Ukrainian leader’s meeting with Donald Trump.
“We all were right to have helped Ukraine and sanctioned Russia three years ago, and to continue to do so,” Macron told reporters while visiting Portugal. He added:
There’s an aggressor, which is Russia, and a people attacked, which is Ukraine.
Macron has spoken with Zelenskyy on the phone after the White House meeting, the Élysée Palace said in a statement.
Macron’s foreign minister Jean-Noël Barrot reiterated that Moscow is the aggressor in a statement on X, adding that for Europeans it is now time for action. Barrot said:
There is an aggressor: Putin’s Russia, the Ukrainian people have been aggressed. In the face of this, and for the sake of our collective security, there is one necessity: Europe, now. The time for words is over, let’s move on to action.
Updated
Here’s a clip showing the worst moments from the clash between Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump in the Oval Office.
The meeting earlier on Friday descended into a bitter argument in front of the press in extraordinary scenes as the US president demanded that Zelenskyy show more gratitude to his administration, while accusing him of “disrespecting” Washington.
Updated
That’s all from me, Jakub Krupa, in London and over to Léonie Chao-Fong in Washington to guide you through the rest of the day.
Stay with our live coverage of Europe Live.
Updated
Further European leaders back Zelenskyy in remarkable show of unity
In a continuing show of unity among European leaders, more and more of them publicly back Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
We have now heard from at least 14 of them in the last hour.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and European Council president Antonio Costa posted the same update on their social media accounts just now, saying:
Your dignity honors the bravery of the Ukrainian people.
Be strong, be brave, be fearless. You are never alone, dear President @ZelenskyyUa.
We will continue working with you for a just and lasting peace.
Outgoing German chancellor Olaf Scholz said:
Nobody wants peace more than the citizens of Ukraine! That is why we are working together to find a way to a lasting and just peace. Ukraine can rely on Germany – and on Europe.
Dutch prime minister Dick Schoof said:
The Netherlands continues to support Ukraine. Especially now. We want lasting peace and an end to the war of aggression that Russia has started. For Ukraine, for all its inhabitants and for Europe.
Luxembourg’s prime minister Luc Frieden joined in:
Luxembourg stands with Ukraine. You are fighting for your freedom and a rules based international order.
As did the Portuguese prime minister, Luis Montenegro:
Ukraine can always count on Portugal, @ZelenskyyUa.
Updated
Ukraine ‘fighting for dignity, independence, security of Europe’, Macron says
Earlier I brought you a quick reaction from French president Emmanuel Macron.
Here is a longer quote from his comments in Portugal:
Russia is the aggressor, and Ukraine is the aggressed people.
I think we were all right to help Ukraine and sanction Russia three years ago, and to continue to do so. We, that is the United States of America, the Europeans, the Canadians, the Japanese and many others.
And we must thank all those who have helped and respect those who have been fighting since the beginning. Because they are fighting for their dignity, their independence, their children and the security of Europe.
These are simple things, but they’re good to remember at times like these, that’s all.
Updated
Zelenskyy’s Hudson Institute speech cancelled
As part of his visit to Washington DC, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy was meant to speak at the conservative Hudson Institute tonight, after meeting Trump.
But this has now been cancelled, Reuters just confirmed.
Updated
More European leaders are joining in.
Czech prime minister Petr Fiala says:
We stand with Ukraine and on the side of the free world!
and Latvian prime minister Evika Siliņa added simply:
Latvia stands with Ukraine.
Updated
European leaders rally behind Zelenskyy after Trump spat
The Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Støre is the latest European leader to offer his support for Zelenskyy and Ukraine as he says this:
We stand by Ukraine in their fair struggle for a just and lasting peace.
The Swedish prime minister Ulf Kristersson said:
Sweden stands with Ukraine. You are not only fighting for your freedom but also for all of Europe’s. Slava Ukraini!
The Lithuanian president Gitanas Nausėda has also joined in:
Ukraine, you’ll never walk alone.
… and the Irish foreign minister Simon Harris:
Ukraine is not to blame for this war brought about by Russia’s illegal invasion. We stand with Ukraine.
Their comments come after earlier expression of support from Poland’s Tusk, Spain’s Sanchez, and France’s Macron.
Updated
Trump’s personal decision to call talks with Zelenskyy off – media reports
The CNN’s chief White House correspondent Kaitlan Collins says that it was Trump’s decision to conclude the talks after the exchanges in the Oval Office.
In a social media post, she said “Trump decided that Zelensky was ‘not in a place to negotiate’” and “directed Secretary Rubio and his national security adviser Mike Waltz to deliver the message: it was time for Zelensky to leave”.
Drawing on further briefing from the White House, she said “the Ukrainians wanted to continue the talks. But they were told no.”
What she says is in line with what we are getting from news agencies too.
Updated
In further Russian reaction to the meeting, the Russian foreign ministry’s spokesperson said that “how Trump and Vance restrained themselves and did not hit him is a miracle of restraint”.
And former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev posted an abusive social media post, celebrating Zelenskyy getting “a proper slap down in the Oval Office”.
Updated
‘Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, we are working for that,’ Zelenskyy says, as he thanks America and Trump
We have just heard from Zelenskyy too, as he posted a social media update of his own – pointedly and repeatedly thanking the US, in what seems to be a direct response to JD Vance’s criticism earlier.
Thank you America, thank you for your support, thank you for this visit.
Thank you @POTUS, Congress, and the American people.
Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for that.
Updated
‘Ukraine, Spain stands with you,’ Spanish prime minister says
Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez has joined the list of European leaders offering their support and solidarity to Ukraine after the clash between Trump, Vance and Zelenskyy.
He has just posted a social media update saying:
Ucrania, España está contigo.
Ukraine, Spain stands with you.
Україно, Іспанія з тобою.
Updated
Macron pointedly backs Ukraine over ‘aggressor’ Russia responding to Trump-Zelenskyy clash
French president Emmanuel Macron highlighted that Russia is the aggressor, and Ukrainians are the aggressed people, when asked for his response to a clash between US president Donald Trump and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
“We must ... respect those who have been fighting since the beginning,” he told reporters on the sidelines of his visit to Portugal, quoted by Reuters.
Updated
No mineral deal signed, White House confirms
Not that we were in any doubt, but the White House has just confirmed that Trump and Zelenskyy did not sign a mineral deal during their talks today.
Trump has not ruled out an agreement, but not until Ukraine is ready to have a constructive conversation, a senior US official told Reuters.
Updated
If you’re trying to find someone happy with the outcome of the talks in the Oval Office, we’re just getting this line from the AFP:
Trump-Zelenskyy shouting match “historic”, says top Russian official
Updated
Poland’s Tusk publicly backs Zelenskyy after clash with Trump
Polish prime minister Donald Tusk responds to scenes in the Oval Office:
He says in a social media update:
Dear @ZelenskyyUa, dear Ukrainian friends, you are not alone.
Updated
Zelenskyy was scheduled to speak at the Hudson Institute later today – let’s see if he keeps that appointment after his White House visit was cut short.
He is also expected in London for further talks with European leaders on Sunday, where he will give them a completely unfiltered report from talks with Trump.
We can only imagine what he is going to say.
Trump-Zelenskyy talks cut short after heated exchanges in Oval Office - summary
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to the White House has been cut short after he got into a heated exchange with US president Donald Trump and vice-president JD Vance, who accused him of “disrespectful” behaviour during their talks in the Oval Office.
In a social media update, Trump said he has determined that Zelenskyy “is not ready for peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations”, and said the Ukrainian leader “disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office”. “He can come back when he is ready for peace,” he added.
In their earlier talks, Trump repeatedly told Zelenskyy that he was “gambling with the lives of millions, with the third world war”, and told him to stop holding out for further security guarantees saying “you’re either going to make a deal or we are out”.
Trump appeared to draw false equivalence between the two sides of the war and positioning himself “for both Ukraine and Russia” as he pursues a peace deal, in stark contrast to Zelenskyy’s comments about Putin as a “killer” and “terrorist” who invaded Ukraine, and with whom he was not ready to compromise on the Ukrainian territory.
The pair repeatedly clashed over their view of Russia and the negotiations, as well as the extent of the European support for Ukraine.
JD Vance also falsely accused Zelenskyy for not thanking the US for its support and “campaigning for the opposition in October,” instead of showing “words of appreciation for the US and the president who is trying to save your country.”
Zelenskyy has left the White House moments ago, with the press conference between the two leaders, where they were expected to sign a deal on minerals, also cancelled.
Updated
Zelenskyy leaves White House after visit gets cut short
He was not accompanied by US president Trump to the exit.
Updated
Heated exchanges between Trump, Zelenskyy and Vance - video
Trump-Zelenskyy press conference cancelled with Zelenskyy set to leave early
The joint press conference has been cancelled, the White House said.
A White House source confirmed to Reuters that the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy is leaving the White House early.
This comes after the heated talks earlier, and an update from US president Donald Trump saying that Zelenskyy was “not ready for peace”.
Zelenskyy’s car is now waiting outside for his departure.
Updated
Zelenskyy ‘disrespected the US’ and ‘not ready for peace’, Trump says
In a sign of how badly the talks went, US president Donald Trump has just posted a social media update saying that he has determined that Zelenskyy “is not ready for peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations”.
“I don’t want advantage, I want PEACE,” he says.
He then says Zelenskyy “disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office”.
“He can come back when he is ready for peace,” he ends.
Updated
We are committed to Nato, Trump says, but they need to step up
Talking about the US involvement in Nato, Trump repeatedly praised Poland for “stepping up” and “doing a great job for Nato” by “paying more than they had to”.
They are one of the finest groups of people I’ve ever known. I’m very committed to Poland. Poland’s in a tough neighborhood.
Asked for further guarantees for the broader alliance, he goes on to say:
We’re committed. We’re going to be very committed, and we’re committed to Nato. But Nato has to step up, and the Europeans have to step up more than they have.
Updated
Putin hates Ukrainians, Zelenskyy says
Zelenskyy repeatedly warned that any deal without security guarantees would not be enough.
When we speak about security guarantees, when the Europeans are ready for contingents, they need USA backstop. If there will not be United States [troops], we will not have any contingent.
He explained why:
Putin will never stop and will go further and further. He hates us.
You know, it’s not about me. He hates Ukrainians. He thinks that we are not a nation. He thinks and he shared this with, I think maybe with your team also, I don’t know, but with all the Europeans in media, officially and not, he always said that there is no such country, such nation, such language and such life like Ukrainian.
No, he really doesn’t respect all the Ukrainians, and he wants to destroy us.
Mineral deal not enough, we need security guarantees, Zelenskyy says
In an bizarre follow-up, Trump later praises Zelenskyy’s clothes, saying they are “beautiful”.
Trump also got asked about security guarantees and said the focus was on the US having “workers there, digging, digging, digging, … taking the raw earth so that we can create a lot of great product in htis country.”
I don’t think you’re going to need much security. I think once this deal gets done, it’s over. Russia is not going to want to go back, and nobody’s going to want to go back.
But Zelenskyy wasn’t convinced, saying Putin broke ceasefires and agreements with other countries 25 times.
“That is why we will never accept just a ceasefire. It will not work without security guarantees … this document is not enough, strong army is enough, because his soldiers are afraid,” he said.
Updated
In a particularly bizarre exchange with an US reporter, Zelenskyy was asked why he is not dressed in a suit, but his trademark military clothes.
Why don’t you wear a suit? You’re the highest level office in this country, and you refuse to wear a suit.
When he retorts by pointing he has other problems with the war, the reporter comes back saying “a lot of Americans have problems, with you not respecting office”.
Zelenskyy strikes back:
I will wear [a suit] after this war will finish. Yes, maybe, maybe something like yours, maybe some something better. I don’t know, we will see.
Updated
Zelenskyy also replied to Trump’s repeated comments about people dying in the war, saying:
The president speaks about the people and the soldiers which are dying, but they came to our territory. They came to our land. They began this war, and they have to stop.
Withdraw these enemies, our enemy. Withdraw these troops from our land.
Trump was also asked about compromises, and he said:
I think you’re going to have to always make compromises. You can’t do any deals without compromises. So certainly he’s going to have to make some compromises, but hopefully they won’t be as big as some people think you’re going to have to make. So that’s all we can do.
I’m here as a as an arbitrator, as a mediator, to a certain extent, between two parties that have been very hostile.
He then says that the Russian invasion of Ukraine was “headed in the wrong direction” and “you know, this could lead to a third world war”.
Updated
Disagreement between Zelenskyy, Trump and Vance - in pictures
Updated
Trump and Zelenskyy disagree on degree of Europe’s help
In earlier stages, the pair also discussed Europe’s help for Ukraine in a telling exchange showing some differences between them:
Zelenskyy: Really, we can help Europe, because Europe really helped … President Trump said they [offered] less support, but they are our friends and very supportive partners … they really gave a lot, Mr President.
Trump: Really? Maybe they did, but they gave much less.
Zelenskyy: No.
Trump: Much less.
Zelenskyy: No.
Trump: … less …
Zelenskyy: No.
Trump: Okay (waves hand).
At this stage, unlike in later talks, they both welcomed this exchange with smiles, though.
Updated
If you want a summary of how the meeting went in one picture, here is a snap from the CNN’s Chief White House Correspondent Kaitlan Collins showing the Ukrainian ambassador to the US, Oksana Markarova, with her head in her hands in reaction to heated exchanges between the leaders:
The Ukrainian ambassador had her head in her hands by this point. pic.twitter.com/AhnsgWbqOb
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) February 28, 2025
Updated
Zelenskyy says ‘no compromises’ with Putin on territories
In earlier parts of the meeting, before it escalated, Zelenskyy said that he hoped a US-Ukraine deal would be “the first step to real security guarantees for Ukraine, our people, our children”, as he hoped it would include the support of both the US and Europe.
You said that enough with the war. I think that is very important … to say these words to Putin at the very beginning … because he is a killer and terrorist.
I hope that together we can stop him, but for us it’s very important to save our country, our values, our freedom and democracy, and of course, no compromises with the killer about our territories.
He also spoke of the Ukrainian need to get more air defence to help with Russian attacks (“we know that Europe is ready, but without the US, they will not be as strong as we need”), and the importance of bringing back Ukrainian children forcefully taken into Russia.
He also talked about Russia not abiding by the rules of law, showing Trump pictures of people affected by the invasion.
“We want to get that ended … we want and I think we will,” Trump responded.
Updated
‘You’re either going to make a deal or we are out,’ Trump tells Zelenskyy
At the end of the heated meeting, Trump addresses Zelenskyy directly:
The problem is, I’ve empowered you to be a tough guy, and I don’t think you’d be a tough guy without the United States.
And your people are very brave. But you’re either going to make a deal or we are out and if we’re out, you’ll fight it out.
I don’t think it’s going to be pretty, but you’ll fight it out.
But you don’t have the cards but once we sign that deal. You’re in a much better position [with the deal], but you’re not acting at all thankful and that’s not a nice thing. I’ll be honest.
He then wraps the meeting up.
We will bring you more news lines soon.
Updated
Trump, Zelenskyy and Vance clash over diplomacy with Putin
At one point in their meeting, JD Vance said the negotiations were needed as “we tried the pathway of Joe Biden, of thumping our chest and pretending that the President of the United States’s words mattered more than the President of the United States’s actions.”
“What makes America a good country is America engaging in diplomacy. That’s what President Trump is doing,” he insisted.
But Zelenskyy wasn’t pleased with that, responding that Putin repeatedly broke previous arrangements agreed with other countries. “So, what kind of diplomacy, JD, are you speaking about?”
This caused Vance to explode, accusing Zelenskyy of being “disrespectful” and organising “propaganda tours.”
When he tries to make his argument, Trump intervenes and tells him:
Don’t tell us what we’re gonna feel. You’re in no position to dictate what we’re going to feel … You’ve allowed yourself to be in a very bad position … You don’t have the cards right now with us.
You are gambling with the lives of millions, you are gambling with World War Three. And what you are doing is very disrespectful to this country.
After JD Vance accusses him for not thanking for the support – despite repeated thanks from Zelenskyy – they get into another heated exchange with Trump raising voice, leading Zelenskyy to wearily start the next sentence saying:
Do you think that if you will speak loudly …
Updated
'Have you said thank you once?', JD Vance attacks Zelenskyy
In the course of the meeting, vice-president JD Vance accused Volodymyr Zelenskyy of “litigating in front of the American media,” and said his comments were “disrespectful.”
“Have you said thank you once?,” he asked, according to reports.
In the course of the meeting, the White House removed a Russian news agency TASS reporter from the Oval Office on Friday, saying the Russian state outlet was not on the approved media list for Trump’s meeting with Zelenskyy, Reuters confirmed.
The intervention was taken once the issue was flagged to the WH services.
'You are gambling with world war three,' Trump tells Zelenskyy
Trump is also asked about his message to Nato allies in central and eastern Europe who are concerned about Putin’s expansionist policy.
He responds by saying he is aligned with both Putin and Ukraine, because otherwise he would never get a deal, and refuses to “say terrible things about Putin” which would make negotiations difficult.
“I am not aligned with anybody. I am aligned with the United States of America and the good of the world,” he says.
But the meeting then takes a tricky turn, as Trump tells Zelenskyy at one point that he has “to be grateful,” and accusing him of “gambling with world war three”.
Updated
I am for both Ukraine and Russia, Trump says
We’re getting more lines from the meeting, with Trump saying that Europe and Nato have to step up and spend more on defence.
Talking about his role in the negotiations, he says: “I am in the middle, I am for both Ukraine and Russia.” “I want to get it solved,” he adds.
Asked about Nato’s Eastern flank more broadly, Trump also once again name-checks Poland as a model ally and saying he is “very committed” to it.
But Zelenskyy keeps pushing back, urging Trump to make “no compromises with a killer”, and bringing up the importance of a “crucial” backstop to guarantee the sustainability of any peace deal.
Bear with me: once the first part of the meeting is over, we will get more from inside the Oval Office.
Updated
Trump confirms deal to be signed later, compromises needed but 'not as big as some people think'
We are getting first lines from Trump’s meeting with Zelenskyy.
The US president praises “unbelievably brave” Ukrainian troops, and gives them “great credit” for standing up to Russian aggression for three years.
He says that the minerals agreement will be signed at the press conference later, adding that he considers it a “very fair deal,” and he intends to use rare earths materials to “use it for all we do, including AI and military weapons.”
Trump says the bottom line of the new deal is that “you’re not going to go back to fighting.”
The US president also says that while Ukraine will have to make compromises, it’s only because “you can’t do any deals without compromises,” but they “will not be as big as some people think you’re going to have to make.”
Updated
'You're all dressed up!', Trump tells Zelenskyy on arrival
… and we now have a second angle of Zelenskyy’s arrival, courtesy of Trump’s assistant and communication adviser, Margo Martin.
In it, we can see Trump pointing at Zelenskyy’s trademark military clothes, and saying:
Oh look, you’re all dressed up!
He’s all dressed up today!
Updated
We take pride in partnership and friendship with US, Zelenskyy told senators
And just minutes before walking into the White House, Zelenskyy posted a very diplomatic social media update about his earlier meetings with US senators.
Our discussions focused on the continued military assistance for Ukraine, relevant legislative initiatives, my meeting with President Trump, efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace, our vision for ending the war, and the importance of robust security guarantees.
We take pride in having strategic partners and friends like the United States.
We are grateful for the unwavering bicameral and bipartisan support for Ukraine throughout all three years of Russia’s full-scale aggression.
Zelenskyy's arrival at the White House - video
A firm handshake on the arrival, with Trump pointing at Zelenskyy, a quick appreciative nod to the reporters and other guests, and that’s it – both presidents go inside the White House for their talks.
Trump didn’t answer any questions from reporters shouting from a distance, including “what is your message to Vladimir Putin.”
Trump welcomes Zelenskyy to White House
Updated
Zelenskyy about to arrive at White House to meet Trump
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected at the White House very shortly. The Ukrainian president has already had some meetings with US senators this morning, and is expected to speak at the conservative Hudson Institute later tonight.
Welcoming him to the White House, there are service members carrying 58 flags: 56 for all states and territories, and two with US and Ukrainian flags.
It will be Zelenskyy’s fifth visit to the White House.
He last met with Trump in December in Paris, during the Notre Dame re-opening hosted by French president Emmanuel Macron.
I will bring you all the key updates here, but you can also follow his arrival with us on our stream below.
Updated
Five unknowns about any possible deal to end Ukraine-Russia war - analysis
in Kyiv
As Volodymyr Zelenskyy heads to Washington to meet Donald Trump, questions remain over the future of Ukraine and the country’s war with Russia. Here are five things we don’t know about a possible deal to end the conflict.
1) Will Vladimir Putin abide by any peace deal?
There is enormous scepticism in Kyiv that Putin wants to stop fighting.
It is possible the Russian leader will “agree” to a peace deal, in order to regroup and adapt. Ukraine fears that after a tactical pause he will attack again. It wants security guarantees to prevent this scenario.
2) What will happen to Ukraine’s territory?
Russia occupies about 20% of Ukraine’s territory, including Crimea, which it annexed in 2014. It controls almost all of Luhansk oblast, much of the Donetsk region, and large chunks of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts. Putin has said Ukraine has to recognise “realities on the ground” – in other words, he won’t give this land back.
If a Trump peace plan favours Moscow and its maximalist claims, Kyiv will almost certainly reject it.
3) How would a European peacekeeping force work?
We don’t know. Key Ukrainian allies including the UK, France and recently Turkey have said they are ready to send troops to Ukraine as part of a peacekeeping or “peace-assuring” force.
Moscow has said it will not allow “Nato” troops to be sent to Ukraine. If they do arrive, it is unclear how Putin will respond.
4) Can the US be persuaded to provide a backstop to guarantee any deal?
The British prime minister, Keir Starmer, has said a US backstop is vital if the Europeans are to implement a peace deal. Trump appeared to suggest that the US was willing to provide an economic backstop instead – meaning Americans would be present in Ukraine, as part of a minerals deal, and this would be sufficient to deter the Russians.
There are also questions about US satellite and intelligence data. This has been crucial to Ukraine’s ability to identify and destroy Russian military and logistical targets. Were it to stop, it would hinder Ukraine’s armed forces and a peacekeeping contingent would struggle as well.
5) Will the minerals deal ever happen?
The minerals deal between the US and Ukraine has gone through multiple drafts. Early versions demanded that Kyiv give Washington $500bn (£400bn), with the proceeds paid into a 100% US-controlled fund.
The latest draft, which Trump and Zelenskyy are expected to sign on Friday, is vague. It is more like a letter of intent than a detailed and legally binding contract.
Either way, it will be years before profitable titanium, lithium and rare metals can be dug up from new sites, some of which are in Russian-occupied territory.
For full answers, read Luke’s piece here:
As we get closer to Zelenskyy’s expected arrival at the White House, let’s turn our attention completely to this event now.
We will bring you all the latest here.
Athens protests turn violent after clashes with police - video
Earlier today we reported on the situation in Athens where a peaceful protest on the second anniversary of a train crash in Tempe turned ugly after protesters clashed with police.
Here is a clip, courtesy of our video team:
German coalition talks formally underway
Germany’s conservatives led by election winner Friedrich Merz held first talks with the Social Democrats on forming a coalition government as the country faces multiple challenges at home and abroad, AFP reported.
“The exploratory talks began in an open and constructive atmosphere,” Merz’s CDU/CSU alliance and the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) said in a joint statement, adding that discussions would resume next week.
Finance Minister Jörg Kukies gave the participants an overview of the government finances, the parties said, adding that budget “challenges... will now be the subject of the upcoming talks.”
The negotiations will continue next week, with Merz previously saying he wants the government to be formally in place by Easter in late April.
Danish intelligence monitoring potential Russian interference in Greenlandic vote
The Danish intelligence service (PET) said it was looking into possible Russian interference with parliamentary elections in its autonomous territory of Greenland next month.
In a statement published on its website, PET said that “foreign states may have an interest in influencing decision-makers and citizens in other countries,” pointing to “increased spread of misinformation” on international security and Greenland’s independence.
They further said that there were reported “examples of fake profiles on social media, including profiles pretending to be Danish and Greenlandic politicians” seeking to further polarise the public debate.
The issue will be under active monitoring in the buildup to the vote on 11 March, with the PET working together with the Greenlandic and Danish authorities.
Last month, the Greenland parliament passed a law banning anonymous and foreign donations to political parties amid similar concerns of interference with domestic political processes.
Zelenskyy expected at London summit on Sunday - diplomatic sources
Dan Sabbagh, defence and security editor
Jakub Krupa, Europe Live
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to take part in a European summit called by UK prime minister Keir Starmer for Sunday to discuss next steps for Ukraine and European support for the country, the Guardian has learned from diplomatic sources.
Zelenskyy will join a number of European leaders expected in London, including French president Emmanuel Macron, German outgoing chancellor Olaf Scholz, Polish prime minister Donald Tusk and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen.
The timing of the visit will give Zelenskyy a chance to give leaders an unfiltered readout from his today’s meeting with Trump, with Starmer and Macron also expected to discuss their recent conversations with the US president during their respective visits to the White House earlier this week.
Updated
Russia names new US ambassador
As I was listening to Macron, Russia has named career diplomat Alexander Darchiev as its new ambassador to the United States.
It is a sign of thawing relations between the two countries, as Russia had no ambassador to the US since last October amid growing tensions in the aftermath of its illegal invasion of Ukraine.
The Russian ministry of foreign affairs said that Darchiev would leave for Washington “in the near future.”
The two countries have been working on restoring diplomatic ties on the back of the US-Russia summit in Riyadh, and held a follow-up meeting on this specific issue in Istanbul just yesterday.
Updated
European focus for London, EU talks is on supporting Ukraine's defence, security guarantees - Macron
Macron also spoke about the upcoming European defence summit in London this Sunday, and the special European Council summit in early March.
He said the two meetings will be about how Europe can best support Ukraine so it can continue defending itself if needed.
But he also added that should a peace deal be agreed – and only with the approval from Ukrainians – then Europe would still need to provide specific guarantees of lasting security.
In this context, he stressed the work done by France and the UK on “very concrete solutions to maintain and provide security guarantees on the ground,” as they both hinted at potential deployment of peacekeeping forces to Ukraine.
He says the two issues will be discussed again at the London summit on Sunday, which will see representatives of the countries that took part in first talks in Paris “and a few others”.
Macron says reinstating 'strategic ambiguity' on European troops helps Ukraine peace talks
Macron also got confronted by a frustrated journalist about Europe’s strategy on Ukraine.
He appeared to suggest that it was a mistake to say at the beginning of the conflict that Europe declared it would at no point commit to sending “boots on the ground, forever.”
“So we had to reinstall that strategic ambiguity,” he said, but pointed that “triggering any escalation would be a big mistake.”
He went on to say:
I think you should not underestimate the fact that three years ago, everybody thought that the landslide victory of Russia was certain … [it] was presented by Russia was a special operation for three weeks.
Three years later, they took some territories, but we cannot present it as a victory for Russia.
He disagreed with a claim that Europe’s strategy did’t work, “especially after some strategic defeats for Russia, with Sweden and Finland joining Nato.”
“This is why we have to resist. This is why we have to help the Ukrainians to put themselves in the best possible situation, to negotiate a solid and longstanding peace,” he said.
Macron left with 'very little hope' on US tariffs after meeting Trump
French president Emmanuel Macron has been speaking to the media in the last few minutes, as he concludes his visit to Portugal with a joint press conference with the country’s prime minister Luís Montenegro.
Macron was asked about US president Donald Trump and the prospect of US tariffs on the EU.
He said that he raised this issue with Trump during his meeting earlier this week, but was left “with very little hope” that the issue could be resolved.
Macron blamed it as “misunderstandings” on the part of the US administration, who see the EU’s value added tax as tariffs, which he said was “factually false”.
The French president explained that they apply regardless of the status of the product, whether it is imported or produced locally.
He also warned about side effects of any broader trade disruptions – for example through tariffs on aluminium and steel – coming just at the time as Europeans seek to invest more in their defence efforts, as requested by Trump, as they would hurt interests of both the US and the EU.
He repeated his call to invest more in Europe’s sovereignty and strategic autonomy by reducing external dependencies, and realising its own potential.
Updated
Ireland starts crackdown on asylum system abuses with deportation flights to Georgia
in Dublin
New Irish justice minister has led the government’s crackdown on what it sees as asylum system abuses, with 32 people deported to Georgia overnight in the first deportation operation under a new contract signed with airlines.
Jim O’Callaghan told RTÉ that “the message is if you are seeking asylum and you are not entitled to asylum don’t come to Ireland”.
O’Callaghan, who came into office a month ago, has said too many people come to Ireland with no right to asylum. Earlier this month he revealed that more than 80% of applications for protection were rejected in January because people did not qualify for asylum status.
Last year it emerged that growing numbers were coming from the UK via Belfast.
The minister said the flight cost more than €100,000 adding there would be more in the future.
Foreign minister Simon Harris said in a social media update that “a fair and firm migration system must ensure deportations are effective and efficient.”
“Today our country recommenced the use of charter flights for deportations. If you don’t have a legal right to be here, our system must act and today is evidence that it is and it will,” he stressed.
Romanian government survives no-confidence vote
Romania’s pro-European coalition government survived a no-confidence vote in parliament on Friday, avoiding further political turbulence in the Nato and European Union member state which will rerun a presidential election this year, Reuters reported.
Tensions have run high in Romania since the election was annulled in December following allegations that Russian interference had propelled far-right NATO critic Calin Georgescu into pole position in the first round.
Analysts had said the three hard-right parties that filed the no-confidence motion – which accused the two-month-old coalition government led by Social Democrat prime minister Marcel Ciolacu of corruption and of losing credibility – had done so to boost their profile before the rerun in May.
The no-confidence motion was supported by 144 lawmakers, short of the 233 votes needed to pass, Reuters said.
Pope Francis no longer in critical condition
Pope Francis’s condition is not currently critical, a Vatican source told AFP news agency, after a series of clinical improvements for the 88-year-old pontiff suffering from pneumonia in both lungs.
A Vatican source said Friday that the “criticality has passed, for the moment”, while cautioning that Francis’s overall condition “remains complex” and his prognosis still “reserved”.
After being hospitalised on 14 February for breathing difficulties, the 88-year-old pontiff’s condition sparked widespread alarm as it deteriorated into pneumonia in both lungs.
But there has been no recurrence of the breathing attack he suffered at the weekend and since then the Vatican has released more optimistic medical updates.
Zelenskyy's visit to White House - timings
It’s still early morning in Washington, so it may take a while before we get to our main event of the day. We’re expecting Zelenskyy to arrive at the White House around 5pm CET (4pm GMT), with a joint press conference with Trump to follow about two hours later, so 7pm CET (6pm GMT).
But please remember that these timings can and usually do change as talks take more time than expected. Given the tensions between the two leaders, there will be more temptation than usual to read into any delays, too…
Protesters 'waging battle' with police in Athens as protests turn violent
in Athens
The peaceful scenes in central Athens have now been eclipsed by the eruption of full scale clashes between rock-throwing youths and riot police.
The thousands of people who had crammed into Syntagma square have now fled, some even seeking refuge in the parliament, as riot police fire rounds of teargas at hundreds of black-clad hooded youths lobbying rocks at them.
The entire area around Syntagma has become a battle zone with police saying as many as 700 people “are waging battle” with them. The air is so thick with teargas that several people have been seen fainting with Red Cross rescue workers rushing to administer first aid.
It is unclear, at this stage, if this is an eruption of the rage the disaster has triggered, or young anarchists who often hijack peaceful protests. Most believe the latter.
Athens protests turn ugly with clashes with police
Since Helena’s last update, the protests in Athens have turned ugly, with AFP reporting clashes between firebomb-wielding youths and police who fired teargas.
Greeks protest through 'angry silence' on second anniversary of Tempe train crash
in Athens
Over in Athens our correspondent Helena Smith says over the course of many years reporting from Greece she has never seen protest rallies of the magnitude in size or depth of spirit as today (11:29).
People of every age, young and old, had descended, it seems, on and around Athens’ main Syntagma Square but in a first they weren’t screaming themselves hoarse, they weren’t chanting slogans, they stood in silence, in angry silence, in honour of those who had died in a disaster almost everyone believes was preventable.
AFP is reporting that about 300,000 people are taking part in demonstrations, according to police.
Updated
On Sunday, UK prime minister Keir Starmer will welcome European leaders to London to debrief and discuss next steps after his, Emmanuel Macron and Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s trips to see Donald Trump at the White House.
Swedish prime minister Ulf Kristersson can’t wait.
He just posted this on social media:
On Sunday I will travel to London to meet with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and other European colleagues to continue discussions on Ukraine and the need for strong international support.
Sweden stands with Ukraine and on the side of freedom. Their security is ultimately also about the security of Sweden and Europe.
Protests in Greece on two-year anniversary of Tempe train crash
in Athens
Elsewhere, tens of thousands of people are joining protests and strikes as Greece marks the second anniversary of a fatal train crash, the fallout of which has put the prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, in the line of fire.
As experts attributed the disaster to oversights and major systemic failures, organisers vowed that Friday’s demonstrations, which coincide with nationwide industrial action, would be on a scale not seen in years.
Fifty-seven people, almost all students, were killed, and dozens more were injured when an intercity passenger train collided head-on with a cargo locomotive in the valley of Tempe on 28 February 2023. It was the worst rail accident in Greece’s history.
Not since he first won office in July 2019 has Mitsotakis, a former banker, confronted such unrest. Public anger over the response to the crash – not least a decision to rapidly clean up the site and remove debris that included vital evidence and human remains – has been exacerbated by the perceived and growing sense of a government cover-up.
Trump briefly wanted to cancel Zelenskyy's visit - French media
The relationship between Zelenskyy and Trump is so fraught that French media are reporting that the US president even allegedly considered cancelling the visit altogether – only to be persuaded by French president Emmanuel Macron.
BFMTV claimed, quoting a diplomatic source, that Trump’s team told Ukraine on Wednesday that the meeting was going to get cancelled, prompting Zelenskyy to speak with Macron, who intervened on his behalf.
Ultimately, the invite was back on the table and so we are expecting to see Zelenskyy at the White House later today – but there will definitely be a sense of nervousness until not only the meeting starts, but until it concludes, with many potential issues that could derail the talks.
But it is notable how Trump’s language on Zelenskyy has shifted after last night’s meeting in Starmer: no longer a “dictator,” the Ukrainian leader was instead praised by the US president.
Let’s see what language we’re going to hear today.
What European papers say
Looking at European papers today, there is a somewhat mixed sentiment about the deal that is expected to be signed later today.
Discussing Starmer’s visit to the White House, German magazine Der Spiegel joked that any meeting with Trump has “nail-biting potential,” as observers “never know how it will end.” “Will he want to annex, integrate, buy something? Or just rename?,” it said.
On the mineral deal, it said that it was increasingly clear that the agreement was not just about the minerals, but “primarily how they want to shape their relationship under president Trump.”
Similarly, French Le Monde said the deal was just “a first step before a comprehensive agreement,” but “remains [the means to] succeed in getting closer to the American president.”
But not everyone is upbeat.
Denmark’s Berlingske criticised the proposed deal in harsher words, calling out that its logic could be seen as “profound disloyalty to the allies in Europe, who have collectively made a greater contribution to the war than the US.”
It noted that the current draft is still better than the initial proposal, but urged caution saying: “The gap between the mineral agreement and Trump’s rhetoric is almost too good to be true. Therefore, there is one message to Ukraine on the day Trump and President Zelensky are to sign the deal: Don’t trust him.”
Poland’s Gazeta Wyborcza also praised Zelenskyy for rejecting the first draft of the agreement, saying it more resembled historical extortion arrangements between the colonisers and the colonised.
“Zelenskyy has not given in to the pressure of Trump’s abuse and defends himself and the interests of the state, driving a hard bargain with the new administration,” it argued.
Putin would 'keep his word' on Ukraine peace deal, Trump insists & other key developments
In other key developments on Ukraine:
Donald Trump insisted that Vladimir Putin would “keep his word” on a peace deal for Ukraine during his meeting with Starmer. Trump also refused to commit to deploying US forces to support a European-led peacekeeping force.
However, Trump reiterated his support for the Nato principle of collective defence under Article 5 of the Nato treaty. He said “I support it. I don’t think we’re gonna have any reason for it. I think we’re going to have a very successful peace.”
After their bilateral meeting, Starmer said he had been clear that “the UK is ready to put boots on the ground and planes in the air to support a deal.” He said he was “working closely with other European leaders on this” and that working with allies was “the only way that peace will last”.
Kaja Kallas, the EU foreign minister, has accused Donald Trump of falling for a Russian narrative by closing the door on Nato membership for Ukraine. “Why are we in Nato? It is because we are afraid of Russia. And the only thing that really works – the only security guarantee that works – is Nato’s umbrella,” she said.
Kallas – a former prime minister of Estonia, which borders Russia – also questioned Trump’s approach to a peace deal. “My question is, why we should give Russia what they want on top of what they have already done – attacking Ukraine, annexing territory, occupying territory, and now offering something on top of it? … Consider here in America that after 9/11 you would have sat down with Osama bin Laden and said ‘OK, what else do you want?’ I mean, it’s unimaginable.”
Given the tone of her comments, you will be probably somewhat less surprised to learn that her meeting with US counterpart Marco Rubio got cancelled at a very late notice due to, erm, “scheduling issues” – only after she landed in the US.
Russian forces staged mass strikes late on Thursday on energy targets in the Kharkiv region of north-eastern Ukraine, the regional governor said. Oleh Syniehubov said one man was injured in a Russian attack on the town of Balakliia, south-east of Kharkiv. Ukraine’s air force reported threats of attacks by glide bombs and drones in the region.
North Korea has sent more soldiers to Russia and redeployed several to the frontline in Kursk, the South Korean spy agency told Agence France-Presse on Thursday. “The exact scale is still being assessed,” an official said.
Nato allies to Ukraine are preparing billions more in aid and contributions to security guarantees, the Nato secretary general, Mark Rutte, said on Thursday, adding he had had a great talk with Donald Trump.
Key takeaways from Trump-Starmer meeting
If you want to catch up on the key developments from last night’s meeting between Trump and Starmer, our global affairs correspondent Andrew Roth has this helpful summary for you.
Keir Starmer’s meeting with Donald Trump this week comes at a crucial moment for the war in Ukraine and the future of the Nato alliance. Europe is looking for leaders who can engage Trump on the future of the continent as the US leader appears more inclined to demand tribute from his allies and cosy up to Vladimir Putin.
Can the “special relationship” between the US and the UK save the day? Or has the era of transatlantic cooperation ended in the era of “America first”? Starmer has already established a friendly rapport with Trump and comes bearing promises to raise defense spending and negotiate on trade, but can that overcome Trump’s impulse to abandon Europe and strike a deal with Russia to end the war as quickly as possible?
Morning opening: The Art of the Deal
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to sign a rare earth minerals deal on a visit to the White House on Friday, even though the host, Donald Trump, has said it will not contain significant security guarantees for Kyiv.
Key details of the agreement have still to be confirmed but it is understood it would establish a joint fund between the US and Ukraine that would receive revenues from the mining of rare earth metals and other precious minerals in Ukraine, as well as some oil and gas revenues. The fund would invest in projects in Ukraine.
Relations between the US and Ukrainian presidents became acrimonious earlier this month after Kyiv and Europe were excluded from US-Russian peace talks and Zelenskyy resisted US pressure to sign a previous version of the deal that he said “10 generations of Ukrainians will have to pay back”.
But on Thursday, meeting with UK prime minister Keir Starmer, Trump distanced himself from previous remarks in which he falsely called Zelenskyy a dictator. “Did I say that? I can’t believe I said that,” he said, before admitting that the relationship between the two men had got a “little testy” over financial support but was now on firmer ground.
In a further sign of a healing relationship between the two, Trump praised Zelenskyy as “very brave” and said he got along with him “really well”.
However he resisted Starmer’s urging to provide firmer security guarantees for Ukraine, instead suggesting the US having a multibillion dollar stake in Ukraine’s rare earths sector with US workers on the ground would be enough of a deterrent for Russia.
He also said that if British peacekeepers were in Ukraine they “don’t need much help” and could “take care of themselves” although he did add “if they need help, I’ll always be with the British”.
We will see if that generally positive tone of the Trump-Starmer meeting carries into Zelenskyy’s much-awaited visit today.
In a sign of growing urgency, Trump said about a peace deal yesterday that “it will be fairly soon or it won’t happen at all.” Let’s look out for further signs of what he means by that.
Zelenskyy is due to arrive at the White House 5pm CET (4pm GMT). I will bring you all the latest throughout the day.
It’s Friday, 28 February 2025, and this is Europe live. It’s Jakub Krupa here.
Good morning.
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