Ukraine committed to work with US, Europe to end war 'the soonest possible,' Zelensky says
"It is very important that we try to make our diplomacy really substantive to end this war the soonest possible," President Volodymyr Zelensky posted on X.
Volodymyr Zelensky
'The worst statement' — Trump criticizes Zelensky for saying peace deal with Russia is far away
President Volodymyr Zelensky made the remark in a March 2 interview with British media, saying that negotiations were in the earliest stages and that a settlement with Moscow remains a distant prospect.
Ukrainians react to Trump-Zelensky clash
In the wake of the Feb. 28 clash between U.S. President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office, the Kyiv Independent went to the streets of Kyiv to ask Ukrainians what they think of the now infamous meeting.
5 ways you can support Ukraine — even if your government doesn't want to
Editor’s note: This is an edited version of a guide for members of the Kyiv Independent community, published on Feb. 24, 2025. If you would like to join a community of people united by wanting to help Ukraine, consider becoming a member today. U.S. President Donald Trump's public
US wants Zelensky to 'regret' Oval Office clash, sign minerals deal, Waltz says
"What we need to hear from President Zelensky is that he regrets what happened, that he's ready to sign this minerals deal, and that he's ready to engage in peace talks," U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz said.
US deliberately orchestrated Zelensky-Trump Oval Office clash, Friedrich Merz says
"It was not a spontaneous reaction to interventions by Zelensky, but obviously a manufactured escalation in this meeting in the Oval Office," Friedrich Merz, Germany's likely next chancellor, said.
Trump’s Oval Office clash with Zelensky killed diplomacy
The showdown between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office on Feb. 28 shocked the entire world. But instead of analyzing its political impact, let’s focus on the details of manners, gestures, which may seem less important than the issues at stake,
6 silver linings of the Trump-Zelensky showdown
The ambush by hired hand U.S. Vice President JD Vance at the White House Oval Office at high noon on Feb. 28 made for great theater, more 24-hour TV than diplomacy. At first, it seemed like an absolute disaster for President Volodymyr Zelensky and Ukraine, potentially risking the withdrawal
Trump sided with Putin. Europe, what’s your move?
U.S. President Donald Trump and U.S. Vice President JD Vance’s verbal assault on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office will mark Feb. 28, 2025, as an infamous moment in American and world history. The United States is rapidly destroying its good name and alienating everyone
Trump-Putin summit now being 'fast-tracked,' CNN reports
Donald Trump's spat with Volodymyr Zelensky was an additional incentive for the next round of talks on restoring relations between the U.S. and Russia to take place in the coming weeks.
Fallout from the Zelensky-Trump meeting. What's next for Ukraine? – spot briefing by KI Insights
Update: Briefing slides can now be accessed here. KI Insights subscribers can also access the recording. How will the latest high-level talks shape Ukraine’s trajectory? What are the key takeaways, and what should diplomats, humanitarians, and businesses anticipate in the coming weeks? Join KI Insights for an exclusive spot
'Zelensky will have no choice but to concede' — Trump reposts commentary claiming mineral deal ensures Ukraine's security
U.S. President Donald Trump reposted a claim on his social media network Truth Social on March 2 that President Volodymyr Zelensky "will have no choice but to concede" to Washington's terms to the mineral deal because Kyiv cannot survive the war without U.S. backing.
Trump-Zelensky clash and US talks with Russia | Ukraine This Week
In the latest episode of Ukraine This Week, the Kyiv Independent’s Anna Belokur breaks down the shocking argument that took place in the Oval Office on Friday, in which U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance berated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for a perceived lack of gratitude for American assistance to Ukraine.
Zelensky meets with King Charles following European leaders' summit
President Volodymyr Zelensky met with King Charles III on March 2 following the conclusion of the European leaders' summit hosted by U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Ukraine war latest: Europe developing 'coalition of the willing' to back ceasefire in Ukraine, Starmer says
Key developments on March 1 - 2: * Europe developing 'coalition of the willing' to back ceasefire in Ukraine, Starmer says * UK to provide $2.8 billion loan to Ukraine backed by frozen Russian assets * Macron, Starmer working to pacify Zelensky-Trump relations 'because what is at stake is too important' * U.
Top US officials, lawmakers lambast Zelensky over White House clash with Trump
A number of U.S. officials and Republican lawmakers are continuing their criticism of President Volodymyr Zelensky, with some suggesting that Zelensky may have to resign, following the president's heated exchange at the White House with U.S. President Donald Trump on Feb. 28.
Zelensky meets Italy's Meloni at London summit
"I had a productive meeting with the President of the Council of Ministers of Italy (Giorgia Meloni) to develop a joint action plan for ending the war with a just and lasting peace," President Volodymyr Zelensky said on X.
Italy, UK can help mediate Zelensky-Trump dispute, Meloni says
With Washington’s role seen as crucial to any lasting peace in Ukraine, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron have also reportedly sought to work behind the scenes to ease tensions between the two leaders.
Norwegian fuel supplier halts sales to US Navy over Trump-Zelensky dispute, citing 'moral compass'
Norwegian fuel supplier Haltbakk Bunkers will not deliver a "single liter" of fuel to the U.S. Navy until U.S. President Donald Trump "is gone," the company's CEO told media outlet Kystens Noeringsliv on March 1 after Trump's highly public dispute with President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Macron, Starmer working to pacify Zelensky-Trump relations 'because what is at stake is too important'
"The manifest destiny of the Americans is to be on the side of the Ukrainians, I have no doubt about it. What the United States has done over the past three years is entirely consistent with its diplomatic and military tradition," Macron said.
‘Wrong approach, wrong time, wrong president’ — Waltz reacts to Trump-Zelensky standoff
"(Zelensky) came in, even though he was warned not to, determined to litigate all of that … This was the wrong approach, wrong time in history, and definitely the wrong president to try to do this," National Security Advisor Mike Waltz said on March 1.
Canada's Trudeau heads to European defense summit in London
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau departed for London on March 1 to take part in a European defense summit focused on shaping the conditions for a lasting peace in Ukraine.
Starmer aims to bridge Trump-Zelensky rift as US expects apology, Bloomberg reports
Amid the diplomatic fallout, the Trump administration has privately signaled that it expects a public apology from President Volodymyr Zelensky to mend relations, European officials told Bloomberg.
UK to provide $2.8 billion loan to Ukraine backed by frozen Russian assets
The loan, which is part of the Group of Seven's (G7) Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) credit initiative, was signed amid President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to London to meet with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Ukrainians, foreigners raised Hr 27 million 'for nukes' hours after Zelensky-Trump White House clash
Ukrainians and foreign donors have sent over 27 million hryvnia ($649,000) in donations to the fundraiser "for nukes" that was opened immediately after the publicized White House clash between U.S. President Donald Trump and President Volodymyr Zelensky.
'We stand with Ukraine' — Starmer reaffirms support for Ukraine during meeting with Zelensky
"We stand with Ukraine for as long as it may take," U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer told reporters at a press briefing on March 1 in London alongside President Volodymyr Zelensky, adding that Ukraine has "full backing across the United Kingdom."
Zelensky meets with Starmer in London following Oval Office clash with Trump
President Volodymyr Zelensky met with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer on March 1, one day after Zelensky's heated exchange with U.S. President Donald Trump in the White House.
NATO Secretary General calls for Zelensky to 'restore relationship' with Trump following Oval Office clash
Speaking to the BBC, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said that it was "important that President Zelensky finds a way to restore his relationship with the American president and with the senior American leadership team."
Letter to the editor: The Oval Office fiasco was a calculated setup to humiliate Ukraine and undermine democracy
The recent Oval Office meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wasn’t just a diplomatic disaster — it was a setup. From the moment Zelensky walked into that room, the stage had already been set. This wasn’t about serious discussions on aid or strategy.
'I'll need more ammo' — Ukraine's soldiers react to Trump-Zelensky Oval Office showdown
An astounding political encounter played out in front of the world on Feb. 28, as a highly-anticipated meeting between Presidents Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump descended into a verbal brawl, the cancelling of a mineral deal and — reportedly — Zelensky's unceremonious eviction from the White House. Zelensky left
Bernie Sanders on Trump’s alignment with Russia
U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders sat down with the Kyiv Independent on Feb. 27 to share his concerns about Trump’s growing alignment with Russia and other authoritarian regimes, what a possible U.S.-Russia alliance would mean for the American people, the role of billionaires like Elon Musk in shaping both domestic and international political discourse, and why defending Ukraine is crucial for the future of global democracy.
World stars show support for Ukraine after the White House clash
Pedro Pascal, Elizabeth Banks, Misha Collins and other stars expressed support for Ukraine in their social media.
President Volodymyr Zelensky
Volodymyr Zelensky has been president of Ukraine since 2019. Born in Kryvyi Rih, an industrial city in central Ukraine, Zelensky was known as a media personality and actor before becoming Ukraine’s sixth president.
The 46-year-old’s transformation into a wartime leader saw his approval ratings rise from 37% before the full-scale invasion, to 90% in May 2022. His approval rating fell to 62% by the end of 2023.
Zelensky's five-year term officially ended in May 2024 but he remains president while martial law, enacted after the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022, is in place. A February 2024 poll indicated that almost 70% of Ukrainians agree that Zelensky should remain in office and elections should be postponed until martial law is lifted.
Learn more about President Volodymyr Zelensky
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