During a tense meeting at the White House on March 15, 2024, former President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, claiming that Russian President Vladimir Putin could “destroy” Ukraine if he chose to do so. The closed-door session, which lasted three hours, reportedly escalated into a heated argument where Trump expressed frustration over the ongoing conflict and dismissed crucial information regarding Ukraine’s frontline situation.
Sources familiar with the meeting, as reported by the Financial Times, indicated that Trump’s language was aggressive, with frequent cursing throughout the discussion. He reportedly criticized maps depicting the current state of the conflict, insisting that Zelensky should surrender the Donbas region to Russia. An official present at the meeting noted that Trump echoed many of Putin’s narrative points, further complicating the diplomatic climate.
Zelensky’s primary objective for the meeting was to secure advanced Tomahawk missiles, which could target Russian positions from Ukrainian territory. However, Trump later suggested that both Russia and Ukraine should agree to cease hostilities at their current lines, stating, “Enough blood has been shed, with property lines being defined by War and Guts.” In a post on Truth Social, he advocated for both sides to claim victory and halt further violence.
Despite leaving the meeting without a commitment for missile acquisition, Zelensky remained hopeful. He remarked, “It’s good again that he didn’t say no,” referring to Trump’s comments on the potential for the U.S. to supply the missiles. The Ukrainian leader emphasized the significance of the Tomahawk missiles in deterring Russian aggression, noting, “I think that Putin is afraid that [the] United States will deliver us Tomahawks.”
While addressing reporters, Zelensky expressed that peace negotiations must hinge on Putin’s willingness to end the war, stating, “It’s about Putin because we didn’t begin this war.” He also mentioned that Ukraine is open to exchanging drone technology for American military equipment, a proposal that has gained traction during discussions with U.S. officials.
The White House did not respond to requests for comment regarding the meeting by the time of publication. Observers noted that European leaders are approaching the situation with a pragmatic mindset, preparing for various outcomes while remaining hopeful for a resolution.
As the conflict continues, both leaders face immense pressure from their respective nations. The outcome of such discussions may significantly influence the trajectory of the ongoing war and international relations in Eastern Europe.
