Ukrainians Views on the Trump-Zelensky Meeting in the Oval Office

Foreign Policy Brief # 196 | By Yelena Korshunov | March 31,2025

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Many Ukrainians closely followed President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to Washington, where Ukraine and the United States planned to sign an agreement on rare earth metals. According to the American side, this deal was intended to pave the way for a ceasefire in Ukraine. However, a verbal spat between President Donald Trump, Vice President James Vance, and President Zelensky turned everything upside down. The conflict appeared to be premeditated by President Trump’s team. Millions of stunned and embarrassed viewers in the U.S., Ukraine, and around the world watched the broadcast as the meeting devolved into mockery, with ridiculing Zelensky’s lack of a suit followed by Vance’s rough abruption of Ukrainian President’s speech blaming him in a lack of saying “thank you”. Consequently, the agreement was not signed, and Zelensky left the White House early. Ukrainians’ opinions on the controversial meeting were divided; some criticized Zelensky’s behavior, while others fully supported him.

Zelensky’s closest allies—head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko, and head of the Servant of the People parliamentary faction David Arakhamia—commented on the visit and voiced their support for the president. They emphasized the importance of real security guarantees for Ukraine.

Andriy Yermak expressed gratitude to the American people for their support, writing on Telegram, “Security is not just a word. It is life. It is a future without sirens, without losses, without fear for those we love. Without real guarantees, war will return. It always returns to where there is a chance for a new attack.” He added, “We are grateful to those who stand with us, to those who understand that Ukraine is not just a point on the map. It is Minas Tirith [‘Tower of Guard’ or ‘Tower of Watch’ from J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth], standing against evil.”

David Arakhamia echoed Yermak’s sentiments, thanking American people for their support and stating, “Our president is a rock, and few leaders in the world can match his fortitude. He genuinely wants to end this war, not settle for a temporary pause that may seem convenient to some.”

Ukrainian journalist Sergey Rudenko pointed out that Trump’s actions stemmed from his inability to fulfill promises to end the war in Ukraine. He said, “Trump lacks the strength to stand up to Putin or to deliver on his promise to end the war. What we witnessed on the evening of February 28 was a performance orchestrated by Trump and Vance. They didn’t want an agreement on mineral resources; they wanted a scapegoat for their failures. They chose Zelensky.”

Despite the failed negotiations, Ukrainian Prism Foreign Policy Council expert Sergey Gerasimchuk noted that Ukraine’s participation in talks provided leverage. “Ukraine can now reject any proposal, whether from Putin or Trump. Europe will undoubtedly be present at the negotiating table, as European leaders have consistently backed Zelensky’s stance on leadership and security. Neither the Kremlin nor the White House can ignore this support,” he told Deutsche Welle[a Germany’s international broadcaster and a news portal].

Maria Berlinskaya, head of the Center for the Support of Aerial Intelligence, acknowledged that many Ukrainians are weary of the war and might support any resolution, but she warned against this mindset. On Facebook, she cited Winston Churchill, saying, “He who chooses shame over war will ultimately face both.” She added, “It seems we refused to accept shame.”

Volodymyr Viatrovych, a member of Ukraine’s opposition faction ‘European Solidarity,’ praised Zelensky for defending the truth about the war. According to him, the White House preferred not to hear it. “Trump and Vance spread lies about the war, hoping Zelensky would publicly accept them. Fortunately, he did not. Truth is one of our most valuable resources,” Viatrovych posted on Facebook.

A recent poll by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology found that 50% of Ukrainians oppose territorial concessions under any circumstances, even if it prolongs the war. Conversely, 39% are willing to cede some territories to achieve peace and preserve independence.

Here are statements from Ukrainian survey participants:

• Anton from western Ukraine: “I am 30 years old and originally from a small town in the Kherson region, now under Russian occupation. My parents and brother escaped to Germany, but my grandparents refused to leave. I moved to western Ukraine after the invasion. I see a contradiction among people who want Ukraine to reclaim its territories but are unwilling to sacrifice themselves or their loved ones. I believe territorial concessions are inevitable. War devastates society, the economy, and institutions. Even in the best-case scenario, a hollow victory with a shattered nation would be no victory at all.”
• Katya from Kherson: “Giving up territories means abandoning hundreds of thousands of people who are waiting and believing in liberation.”
• Yana from Crimea: “I have lived under occupation for 11 years. Although I cannot leave, Crimea is my home. I hope it will be Ukrainian again, but I understand if the government makes concessions to save lives.”
• Irina from Odessa: “I hope America helps Ukraine end the war at any cost. Everyone is exhausted. There are barely any men on the streets, and missile strikes are constant. It’s terrifying.”
• Tatyana from Kyiv region: “Conceding territories is unacceptable. Russia is a terrorist state. Today it’s four regions; tomorrow it could be the whole country. The world’s passive response emboldens them.”

Meanwhile, on March 20, Russia’s government-run company Dom.RF published a list of cities where Russians could purchase homes under a preferential mortgage program. The list included Ukrainian cities like Kherson, Kramatorsk, and Sloviansk—locations not even under Russian control.

While the American President weakens alliances with Canada and Europe and removes sanctions on Russia, Moscow’s relentless shelling continues to destroy Ukrainian cities and claim lives.

Engagement Resources

•      Zelensky describes Oval Office meeting as ‘regrettable,’ says he is ready to negotiate peace, https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/04/europe/zelensky-trump-argument-comment-ukraine-intl/index.html
•      Read TIME’s Latest Interview with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskym https://time.com/7271480/zelensky-transcript-trump-white-house/

     Zelensky ready to work under Trump’s “strong leadership”, https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c981p3dxnent