"Betting on World War III"! Trump and Zelensky's meeting at the White House turned into a heated argument, and the US and Ukraine did not sign the mineral agreement

After a month of bargaining, the United States and Ukraine are finally set to sign a mining agreement, but the meeting between the leaders of the two countries does not seem to be "harmonious." International crude oil futures narrowed their losses, and U.S. stocks turned negative.

According to reports from media outlets such as CCTV, U.S. President Trump had a heated face-to-face exchange with Ukrainian President Zelensky during his first return to the White House. On Friday, February 28, during the midday trading session in the Eastern Time Zone, multiple media outlets reported that in front of on-site reporters, Trump, U.S. Vice President Pence, and Zelensky had a fierce argument at the White House regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Subsequently, crude oil further narrowed most of its intraday losses. U.S. WTI crude oil, which had dropped 1.7% earlier in the day, briefly rose back above the $70 mark, with intraday losses of less than 0.5%. Brent crude oil, which had also dropped 1.7% earlier, once approached $73, with intraday losses of less than 0.8%.

The three major U.S. stock indices erased their intraday gains, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average, which had risen nearly 300 points earlier, and the Nasdaq and S&P 500, which had risen over 0.8% and 0.7% respectively, returning to a downward trend. After turning negative, the Dow had dropped nearly 140 points, while the S&P and Nasdaq had fallen 0.4% and 0.5% respectively.

Trump claims Zelensky is not ready for peace; joint press conference canceled

According to Xinhua News Agency, Trump's meeting with Zelensky at the White House ended unhappily on Friday, with both sides erupting into a heated argument in front of the media, leading Zelensky to leave the White House early.

Trump later posted on social media that he has determined that Zelensky is not yet ready to achieve peace, "because he feels that our (the U.S.) involvement gives him a huge advantage in negotiations."

Trump stated, "I don't want an advantage; I want peace." He said Zelensky wasted a valuable opportunity to come to the White House office, and he can return whenever he is ready for peace.

The White House later confirmed that the joint press conference originally scheduled for Friday afternoon between Trump and Zelensky was canceled.

CCTV learned that on that Friday, Ukraine and the United States did not sign the mineral agreement.

Trump and Pence accuse Zelensky of "disrespecting the U.S."; U.S. will "withdraw" if Ukraine does not reach an agreement

What were Trump and Zelensky arguing about? According to CCTV News, Trump and Vance stated that Zelensky "disrespects the United States" and expressed that either Ukraine reaches an agreement, or the U.S. will "withdraw." Trump stated that Ukraine has no right to dictate how the U.S. views the conflict.

Media summarized that the argument broke out as follows:

A reporter asked Trump why he was engaging with Russian President Putin while keeping a distance from Ukraine. Trump replied that if he did not show a balanced attitude towards Russia and Ukraine, he would not be able to reach an agreement, saying, "Do you want me to speak ill of Putin and then ask him how our deal is going? That won't work." He also mentioned that Zelensky harbors "great hatred" towards Putin, adding, "With that kind of hatred, it's hard for me to reach an agreement. I understand that, but I can tell you that the other side (Russia) doesn't like him either."

While Trump was saying this, Zelensky shifted in his seat, appearing increasingly frustrated. Then Vance interjected, stating that the Russia-Ukraine conflict should be resolved through diplomatic means. Zelensky then spoke directly to Vance, recounting the Russia-Ukraine dispute that was first instigated by Russia in 2014, as well as all the failed diplomatic efforts and Russia's aggressive actions thereafter. He asked Vance, "JD, what kind of diplomacy are you talking about?"

Vance accused Zelensky of "trying to sue" the U.S. for its policy towards Ukraine in front of the media and pointed out Ukraine's manpower issues, which he deemed disrespectful to Trump. Zelensky angrily responded that Vance had never set foot on Ukrainian soil.

Zelensky then stated that every country in a state of war has problems, and the U.S. might feel the same way.

Trump then interjected, saying that Zelensky "is not qualified to decide our feelings," and added, "Your situation is very bad... you are gambling with the lives of millions; you are gambling on a third world war... what you are doing is very disrespectful to the country that supports you."

CCTV News also reported that during the conversation, Trump stated that Zelensky is gambling on a third world war and that he currently "has no cards."

U.S.-Ukraine Mineral Agreement "Very Fair," Ceasefire Agreement Between Russia and Ukraine Imminent

Zelensky's visit to the U.S. was aimed at signing a U.S.-Ukraine mineral agreement with the Trump administration. According to Xinhua News Agency, the day before Zelensky's visit, on the 27th, Trump stated that the mineral agreement would provide a foundation for "a more sustainable (U.S.-Ukraine) relationship" in the future.

On Friday, Trump again discussed the significance of the mineral agreement and stated that a ceasefire agreement between Russia and Ukraine is imminent. However, after the argument between Trump and Zelensky and the cancellation of their joint press conference, the U.S. and Ukraine did not sign the mineral agreement that day.

According to CCTV reports, Trump stated that the current U.S.-Ukraine mineral agreement is "very fair," which is a significant commitment made by the U.S. He mentioned that domestic rare earth mineral resources in the U.S. are scarce, while Ukraine has abundant reserves, which will be used to support areas such as U.S. artificial intelligence and military weapons Trump also stated that he told Zelensky that a ceasefire agreement is imminent. He had a good discussion with Russian President Putin that day and mentioned that negotiators have begun discussing the details of a future ceasefire agreement between Russia and Ukraine.

Trump does not commit to providing Ukraine any specific security guarantees and does not discuss Ukraine's NATO membership

According to media reports, during this exchange, Zelensky, as before, sought a "security guarantee," but Trump did not make such a commitment and reiterated that Ukraine should not expect to enter NATO through this mineral agreement.

CCTV News cited American media stating that during the talks at the White House with Zelensky, Trump consistently insisted that under his leadership, if Ukraine is attacked again, they cannot expect to receive protection from the United States. The goal of Ukraine joining NATO is "not on the negotiating table," and Trump does not want to commit to any specific security guarantees.

According to CCTV, Zelensky rebutted this. He emphasized the prospects of exporting liquefied natural gas to Europe. When Trump again claimed that Europe "is doing far less than the United States in supporting Ukraine against Russia," he gently expressed his disagreement. Zelensky also stated that he believes Trump is on Ukraine's side and hopes to discuss what the U.S. can do with Trump