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Experts warn Zelensky may have to resign after disastrous meeting with Trump
By isabelle // 2025-03-03
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  • Ukrainian President Zelensky’s leadership is in jeopardy after a tense White House meeting with President Trump, which ended abruptly without a press conference.
  • The meeting, intended to finalize a U.S.-Ukraine mineral deal, devolved into accusations, with Trump criticizing Zelensky’s handling of the war and U.S. aid.
  • Analysts argue Zelensky’s combative approach alienated Western allies, with U.S. Republicans and Russian experts questioning his ability to lead.
  • Zelensky’s refusal to negotiate peace and his perceived missteps during the meeting have further isolated him, risking U.S. military aid.
  • Despite European support, Zelensky faces growing pressure to step aside or change course as Ukraine’s war effort falters.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s political future is now in question following a heated and public altercation with President Trump during a high-stakes meeting at the White House last week. The encounter, which ended abruptly with the cancellation of a planned press conference, has left experts and officials questioning whether Zelensky’s leadership can survive the fallout. The meeting was intended to finalize a critical mineral deal between the U.S. and Ukraine, but it quickly devolved into a tense exchange of accusations. Trump, known for his blunt negotiating style, accused Zelensky of being ungrateful for U.S. aid and unwilling to pursue peace. “You’re gambling with millions of people … You’re gambling with World War Three,” Trump told Zelensky in front of reporters. The Ukrainian leader, visibly frustrated, pushed back, insisting on Ukraine’s right to defend itself against Russian aggression.

A diplomatic disaster

The fallout from the meeting has been swift and severe. Russian experts and U.S. Republican officials alike are now speculating that Zelensky’s days as Ukraine’s leader may be numbered. Fyodor Lukyanov, editor-in-chief of Russia in Global Affairs, noted that Zelensky “underestimated the scale of the shift that occurred in American politics after Donald Trump’s arrival.” Lukyanov argued that Zelensky’s combative approach during the meeting alienated even his staunchest supporters in the West. “Trump views the war as an annoying nuisance, a mess in which all participants are to blame, especially his predecessort” Lukyanov said. “Zelensky and his supporters reject it, counting on a clear victory. But that is unattainable.” Republican leaders in the U.S. have echoed this sentiment. House Speaker Mike Johnson told NBC News that Zelensky “needs to come to his senses and come back to the table in gratitude or someone else needs to lead the country.” Johnson added that Trump’s goal of ending the war was undermined by Zelensky’s refusal to negotiate.

Zelensky’s missteps

Analysts point to several critical errors by Zelensky during the meeting. Maksim Suchkov, director of the Institute of International Studies at MGIMO University, noted that Zelensky “pressed all the ‘buttons’ that should never be pressed in negotiations with Trump.” Among these was Zelensky’s comment about America’s geographic advantage, which Trump reportedly interpreted as a slight. “Saying this to the president and his ambitious vice president, who ran their campaign on the theme of America’s strength, in the Oval Office, in front of the media, meant pushing the impulsive Trump into a reputational risk he simply could not afford,” Suchkov said. Zelensky’s insistence on prolonging the war, despite Ukraine’s dwindling resources and manpower, has also drawn criticism. Dmitry Suslov, deputy director of the Center for Comprehensive European and International Studies at HSE University, argued that Zelensky’s refusal to accept a negotiated settlement has made him an obstacle to peace. “Trump’s logic is clear: Ukraine is losing the war, and without U.S. support, it will lose it even faster and more disastrously,” Suslov said.

What's next for Zelensky?

The White House clash has left Zelensky in a precarious position. While European leaders have rallied behind him, their support may not be enough to offset the loss of U.S. backing. Trump has signaled that he is prepared to halt military aid to Ukraine, a move that could accelerate the country’s defeat on the battlefield. Zelensky, for his part, has vowed to continue fighting for Ukraine’s sovereignty. “We want our partners to remember who the aggressor is in this war,” he said during a recent press conference. However, his defiant stance may only deepen the rift with Washington. As the war in Ukraine enters its fourth year, the stakes are rising. Zelensky’s refusal to align with Trump’s vision for peace has left him isolated and vulnerable, with even his allies questioning his ability to lead. As the war drags on, the pressure on Zelensky to step aside or change course will only intensify. For now, the countdown to the end of his regime has begun. Sources for this article include: RT.com DailyMail.co.uk France24.com
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