Trump's Oval Office thrashing of Zelensky shows limits of Western allies' ability to sway U.S. leader

Trump's Oval Office clash with Zelensky reveals America's foreign policy shift towards Russia, risking U.S.-Ukraine relations.

All it took was 90 seconds for weeks of tortured diplomacy to unwind in spectacular fashion.

President Donald Trump's Oval Office thrashing of Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday (February 28, 2025) laid bare the limits of a full-court press by America's allies aimed at reshaping Trump's determination to end Russia's invasion even if the terms are not to Ukraine's liking.

Follow Trump-Zelenskyy clash in White House LIVE updates

It also stressed the profound ways Mr. Trump feels emboldened to redirect U.S. foreign policy priorities toward his “America First” agenda in ways that extend well beyond those of his tumultuous first term.

The sudden blowup was the most heated public exchange of words between world leaders in the Oval Office in memory, as the usual staid work of diplomacy descended into finger-pointing, shouting and eye-rolling.

The encounter left the future of the U.S.-Ukraine relationship, and Kyiv's ability to defend itself in the brutal conflict with Russia, in mortal jeopardy.

“You either make a deal or we are out,” Mr. Trump told Mr. Zelensky, underscoring the American leader's plans to dictate a swift end to the war or leave its longtime ally to continue the fight without its strongest backer.