Notes

Fallout. It was a spectacular, public argument. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy came to the White House on February 28, hoping to shore up support from the new U.S. administration for Kyiv in its war with Russia—and maybe sign a minerals deal with Washington, too.

But the Oval Office meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, and other top U.S. officials turned into a stunning disaster. Vance berated Zelenskyy for not expressing gratitude to the U.S., and Trump told him that in peace negotiations, “You don’t have the cards.”

It all happened live, on camera. Afterward, the White House told Zelenskyy to go home; the formal meeting between the heads of state was canceled. 

The public falling-out confirmed for many that the Trump administration would side with Moscow over Kyiv, and that Trump’s friendly relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin during Trump’s first term would determine his second term, as well.

But since then, something’s changed …

—Michael Bluhm