Trump vs Zelensky:
What does each side want?

BY DAVID LI

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On Feb 28, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Washington to meet US President Donald Trump with hopes of finalising a significant minerals deal.

What began as a cordial meeting in the Oval Office of the White House quickly turned into a public spat when Zelensky challenged Vice-President JD Vance’s support for diplomacy with Russia and warned that the war’s consequences would eventually be felt by the US — a remark that Trump viewed as a threat.

BT breaks down the heated Trump-Zelensky clash through revealing quotes and the two leaders’ tense body language, as we seek to uncover what each side truly wants.

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"First of all, during the war, everybody has problems, even you. You have a nice ocean and don't feel (it) now, but you will feel it in the future."
"You are in no position to dictate what we're going to feel."
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"You don't have the cards right now."
"From the very beginning of the war, we've been alone."

Zelensky hoped that granting the US access to Ukraine’s mineral deposits would strengthen his position in Trump’s peace negotiations with Russia, thereby securing a better deal for Ukraine.

Ukraine controls more than 100 major deposits of critical minerals, many of which are vital for America’s economic development and defence.

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"If you didn't have our military equipment, this war would have been over in two weeks."
"You're gambling with World War 3."

Zelensky emphasised Ukraine’s need for post-war security guarantees, something the Trump administration had not included in the deal.

The US remains Ukraine's largest donor during the war, with up to US$122 billion given to date. Trump has said he wants revenue from the minerals as repayment. The deal would grant half the Ukrainian government’s future revenue from natural resources to a partly US-controlled fund.

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"Of course, we want to stop the war. But I said to you, with guarantees."
"The problem is I've empowered you to be a tough guy, and I don't think you'd be a tough guy without the United States."

The Trump administration envisions peace and economic agreements progressing simultaneously. According to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the proposed minerals agreement would create stronger connections between the American and Ukrainian populations.

Zelensky instead views the ceasefire promise as a prerequisite to the economic deal.

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"You're not acting at all thankful."
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The meeting ended with no agreement. The signing of the minerals deal was scrapped, and Zelensky left the White House abruptly.

On Tuesday, both parties signalled intentions to continue the deal. However, Trump has paused all military aid to Ukraine until further negotiations.

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