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Volodymyr Zelensky

'I'll need more ammo' — Ukraine's soldiers react to Trump-Zelensky Oval Office showdown

'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

Bernie Sanders on Trump’s alignment with Russia

by Kate Tsurkan, Nick Allard

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.

Zelensky thanks America for four minutes straight

Zelensky thanks America for four minutes straight

by Anna Yakutenko

During his visit to Washington on Feb. 28, President Volodymyr Zelensky had a heated exchange with U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance over ways to end Russia's war against Ukraine. Trump and Vance have repeatedly claimed that Zelensky has not been sufficiently grateful for U.S. support throughout the war. The Kyiv Independent has compiled instances where Zelensky has publicly expressed gratitude to the U.S., its people, and its leadership for being Ukraine’s largest supporter.

Ukraine war latest: Zelensky, Trump get into heated argument while speaking with journalists in Oval Office

Ukraine war latest: Zelensky, Trump get into heated argument while speaking with journalists in Oval Office

Key developments on Feb. 28: * Zelensky, Trump get into heated argument while speaking with journalists in Oval Office * US terminates support for Ukraine's energy grid restoration, NBC reports * Trump may halt all military aid to Ukraine following Oval Office clash, WP reports * Kremlin officials tout Zelensky-Trump clash as 'historic' * Italy

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.

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1:54 PM

US committed to NATO membership, Rubio says.

"As we speak right now, the United States is as active in NATO as it has ever been," U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said at a press briefing alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
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