PRESIDENT Donald Trump believes “ungrateful” Zelensky took US cash like “candy from a baby” for war-torn Ukraine as he explains the reasons behind the infamous White House row.
It comes as top diplomats from the US including Secretary of State Marco Rubio will meet the Ukrainian delegation for talks on ending the war in Saudi Arabia in a few days.
FoxTrump speaking on Fox News on Sunday[/caption]
FoxIt comes as top diplomats from the US will meet the Ukrainian delegation for talks[/caption]
FoxMaria Bartiromo interviewed Trump on Fox News[/caption]
RexVolodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine speaks to the press during a special European Union summit at the European headquarters in Brussels, Belgium[/caption]
Trump has labelled Zelensky as ungrateful, just over a week after the pair’s extraordinary Oval Office bust up, and blamed the Biden administration for giving Ukraine billions in military aid.
In an interview with Fox News’ Maria Bartiromo, he said: “It was like taking candy from a baby what he did.
“He’s a smart guy, and he’s a tough guy, and he took money out of this country under Biden like candy from a baby – it was so easy with that same attitude.
“I just don’t think he’s grateful. We gave him $350 billion.”
The President also stressed that he has been “very tough with Russia, tougher than anyone has ever been to Russia”.
Trump’s past comments, including labelling the Ukrainian leader a “dictator,” fuelled speculation that he was siding with Moscow, and he has previously cast doubt on continued US support for Ukraine.
Slamming these claims, the Republican said: “I stopped the Russian pipeline, I’m the one that put sanctions on Russia, I’m the one that gave the Javelins, but I get along well with Putin.
“Nobody has been tougher on Russia than Donald Trump and they know that.”
He added that despite the tough measures previously taken against mad Vlad’s nation, he “got along with Putin,” just like he “got along with Kim Jong-un” and China’s President Xi Jinping.
As Europe continues to bolster its defence, with French President Macron revealing on Wednesday that his country could gear up its nuclear deterrent to protect the continent, Trump said: “We spend a lot of money on nuclear weapons – the level of destruction is beyond anything you can imagine.
“It’s just bad that you have to spend all this money on something that if its used, its probably the end of the world.”
It came after Trump called for the world to “get rid of nuclear weapons”.
The Republican said on Friday: “I know Russia and us have by far the most.
“China will have an equal amount within 4-5 years.
“It would be great if we could all denuclearise because the power of nuclear weapons is crazy.”
Ukrainian President Zelensky will not be meeting with US representatives in Saudi Arabia next week for peace talks as both sides try to build back their damaged relationship.
The talks set to take place in Jeddah, will see his team meet with Americans while the President returns to Kyiv after meeting the crown prince.
In a post he said: “Next week, on Monday, my trip to Saudi Arabia is planned to meet with the crown prince.
AFPRussia’s President Vladimir Putin chairs a Security Council meeting[/caption]
RexAntonio Costa, Volodymyr Zelensky, and Ursula von der Leyen speaking to the press.[/caption]
“After that my team will stay in Saudi Arabia to work with American partners. Ukraine is most interested in peace.
“As we conveyed to president Trump Ukraine is working and will continue working exclusively in a constructive manner to reach a quick and stable peace.”
On Friday, Trump accused Vlad’s forces of “pounding” the cities – and said he was “strongly considering” a tough new regime of sanctions and tariffs.
Trump wrote on Truth Social: “Based on the fact that Russia is absolutely ‘pounding’ Ukraine on the battlefield right now, I am strongly considering large scale Banking Sanctions, Sanctions, and Tariffs on Russia until a Cease Fire and FINAL SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT ON PEACE IS REACHED.
“To Russia and Ukraine, get to the table right now, before it is too late. Thank you!!!”
His blasting post on is his most direct attack on the Russians since he steered his new administration into the role of peacemaker.
East2WestUkrainian firefighters tackle a blaze caused by the overnight shelling[/caption]
East2WestThe aftermath of the Russian assault on Dobropillia, Donetsk region[/caption]
East2WestAftermath of a building fire in Dobropillia, Donetsk region, Ukraine[/caption]
The post marked a decisive pivot, suggesting Trump was willing to exert economic pressure on Russia to ensure long-term peace.
Russia has been blitzing Ukraine with massive overnight strikes, targeting civilian infrastructure and residential buildings.
On Thursday last night, Nato was forced to scramble fighter jets after Moscow launched a massive missile drone strike on Ukrainian gas facilities.
The overnight missile blitz came after Ukrainians were left raging after Trump axed sharing intelligence – leaving Kyiv’s troops “fighting blind”.
The Nato fighter planes were on alert to shoot down any Russian missiles entering Polish airspace as tensions continue to spiral between Europe, Russia and the US.
Zelensky had proposed an aerial truce with Moscow following the overnight attack and having met with EU leaders at the summit.
In a social media post, Zelensky called for “silence in the skies – a ban on the use of missiles, long-range drones and bombs.
“And also silence at sea – a real guarantee of normal navigation.”
But more attacks were launched a day later, with at least 25 people killed from Friday’s overnight blitz.
More than 40 people were wounded, including six children, in the Donetsk region as both Russians and Ukrainians marked International Women’s Day on Saturday.
President Zelensky has accused Vladimir Putin of using “vile and inhumane tactics” – intentionally targeting emergency services who arrived at the scene of the first strike with a second missile.
The week that changed history
THE shocking White House bust up between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky plunged global politics into a whirlwind of a week.
Friday, February 28 – Trump and Zelensky’s showdown
The Oval Office bust up between Donald Trump, JD Vance and Volodymyr Zelensky will go down in history.
Tensions exploded inside the White House as Trump yelled at Zelensky, accusing him of “gambling with World War Three” and calling him “ungrateful.”
The meeting – meant to finalise a critical minerals deal — descended into chaos at one point with all three men seen leaning forward, pointing fingers, and throwing their arms around in fury.
The fallout sent shockwaves through Washington.
And Trump’s ultimatum – “You either make a deal or we are out” – threw US support for Ukraine into doubt, with several meetings to follow in the week ahead to attempt to repair the fallout.
Saturday, March 1 – Starmer supports Zelensky
Zelensky jetted to London for talks with Sir Keir Starmer and Europe.
As they held talks, which would have included the Oval Office showdown, Starmer comforted Zelensky in saying that he has “full backing across the United Kingdom”.
He then later announced £2.6 billion in loans to support the war-torn nation.
By the evening, Starmer was in “constructive” calls with Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron.
He said that Ukraine’s allies were “at a turning point in the conflict”
Sunday, March 2 – Europe rallies around Ukraine
A crucial security summit at Lancaster House was hosted by Starmer and saw dozens of nations attend to discuss US-Europe relations and the ongoing Ukrainian conflict.
The meeting, attended by French President Emmanuel Macron, Canadian PM Justin Trudeau, and European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, saw a major push for a new military alliance to guarantee Ukraine’s future.
Afterwards, Starmer announced that a “coalition of the willing” would come together and devise a peace plan to end the bloody war.
The Prime Minister warned that Europe had to step up and “do the heavy lifting” – while still scrambling for America’s “strong” backing.
Unveiling his battle plan for the war-torn country, the PM told a press conference: “This is not a moment for more talk. It’s time to act. Time to step up and lead, and to unite, around a new plan for a just and enduring peace.”
He unveiled a £1.6 billion finance deal to help Ukraine buy more than 5,000 missiles and vowed to keep the weapons flowing while ramping up economic pressure on Russia.
Monday, March 3 – Trump lashes out at Zelensky again
The start of the week saw Trump continue to pile pressure on Zelensky as his allegiance with Europe appeared to dwindle further away.
In a brutal Truth Social put down, Trump blasted Zelensky as a “guy who doesn’t want there to be peace”.
The Republican was responding to a quote from the Ukrainian leader in which he said an end to the conflict with Russia is still “very, very far away”.
Hours after the social media attack, Trump then paused all US military aid to Ukraine for the foreseeable future.
The shock freeze will continue until Zelensky’s government shows a commitment to peace negotiations, a senior Trump administration official told Fox News.
Tuesday, March 4 – Zelensky “regrets” Trump fallout
Zelensky came out and public said he is ready to work “under Donald Trump” and “regrets” his brutal Oval Office row with the President.
Zelensky went on to share his own vision for peace that would involve bringing all parties to the table and included a ban on missiles and drones and releasing POWs.
He said in the bombshell X post that “none of us wants an endless war” and that “Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer.”
Wednesday, March 5 – Trump reveals “olive branch” to Congress
As much of Europe woke up on Wednesday, Donald Trump’s first historic address to Congress added another twist to the chaotic week.
In a fiery 100-minute speech, Trump vowed to end the war in Ukraine as he revealed he had received a letter from Zelensky and that Vladimir Putin was “ready for peace.”
The commander-in-chief said the letter spoke about negotiations taking place as soon as possible.
The important US-Ukraine minerals deal was also ready to be signed, Trump said per Zelensky’s words.
Thursday, March 6 – Europe gathers for key defence summit
A key emergency summit was held in Brussels on Thursday with European leaders to discuss the Ukraine war.
Dozens of prime ministers and presidents attended from Ukraine’s Zelensky to France’s Macron.
Images showed how the EU’s 27 leaders all held a working lunch with Zelensky before having separate press conferences outside.
Zelensky said he discussed strengthening his country’s defence as well as negotiations for Kyiv’s EU accession in the summit.
Friday, March 7 – Trump turns on Putin
Trump blasted Putin in a fierce condemnation of Russia’s war in Ukraine – demanding both sides “get to the table right now”.
The US President issued a fiery rebuke of the Russians as they once again launched a huge blitz on Ukrainian civilians overnight.
In the latest unpredictable move from the Republican, he wrote: “Based on the fact that Russia is absolutely ‘pounding’ Ukraine on the battlefield right now, I am strongly considering large scale Banking Sanctions, Sanctions, and Tariffs on Russia until a Cease Fire and FINAL SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT ON PEACE IS REACHED.
“To Russia and Ukraine, get to the table right now, before it is too late. Thank you!!!”
The post has left the world stunned, given Trump’s history of warm rhetoric toward mad Vlad and his recent attacks on Zelensky’s leadership.
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