Summary of the Day – February 28, 2025
President Volodymyr Zelensky’s tense White House meeting with President Donald Trump collapsed into public acrimony, derailing a planned minerals agreement and raising profound questions about Ukraine’s future support from Washington. Meanwhile, Russian forces continued their slow, methodical advances in several key areas as North Korea deepened its military involvement in the conflict. The contentious diplomatic breakdown comes as European leaders scramble to redefine their security role amid shifting U.S. priorities.
Oval Office Confrontation: Trump Declares Neutrality, Orders Zelensky to Leave
What began as a high-stakes diplomatic meeting between the Ukrainian and American presidents quickly descended into an extraordinary public clash that may reshape the war’s trajectory. During their 45-minute Oval Office briefing, tensions boiled over when Trump and Vice President JD Vance berated Zelensky for what they perceived as insufficient gratitude for American military aid.
“You’ve done a lot of talking. Your country is in big trouble. You’re not winning this,” Trump told Zelensky, his voice rising. When the Ukrainian leader explained that his country had been “staying strong” despite early isolation, Trump grew more combative.
“You are not in a good position. You don’t have the right cards right now,” Trump insisted.
“I’m not playing cards,” Zelensky replied calmly.
“You’re gambling with World War III!” Trump shouted, adding that Zelensky’s approach was “very disrespectful to this country.”
In a particularly significant moment, Trump positioned himself as a neutral mediator in the conflict. “I am in the middle; I am for both Ukraine and Russia. I want to get it solved,” he declared, prompting visible discomfort from Ukrainian Ambassador Oksana Markarova, who was seen shaking her head in disbelief.
Following the heated exchange, Zelensky left the White House without signing the long-negotiated minerals deal or participating in the planned press conference. Trump later posted on his Truth Social platform that Zelensky had “disrespected the United States” and could return “when he is ready for peace.”
Despite the tense encounter, Zelensky posted a conciliatory message on social media afterward: “Thank you America, thank you for your support, thank you for this visit. Thank you POTUS, Congress, and the American people. Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for that.”
In a subsequent Fox News interview, Zelensky attempted to mend the relationship, saying: “We are very close partners. I think this kind of spat is not good for both sides.” He emphasized that Ukraine is “ready for peace but we need to be in a good position,” adding that he hopes Trump would show stronger support rather than positioning himself as a mediator.
President Volodymyr Zelensky leaves the White House after being undiplomatically expelled by U.S. President Donald Trump. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
The Failed Minerals Deal: Security Guarantees vs. Resource Sharing
The centerpiece of Zelensky’s Washington visit was to have been the signing of a framework agreement on Ukraine’s natural resources—the product of weeks of tense negotiations. The deal would have established a fund to which Ukraine would contribute 50% of proceeds from the future monetization of state-owned mineral resources, including oil, gas, and logistics infrastructure.
Ukraine had rejected two earlier drafts, arguing they imposed one-sided obligations without any security commitments from Washington. As Zelensky’s visit approached, the Ukrainian side had apparently agreed to sign a version that did not include explicit security guarantees, with the understanding that those would be addressed in future negotiations.
The confrontation derailed not only this agreement but potentially jeopardized broader U.S. support. According to NBC News, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) had already been instructed to terminate initiatives aimed at restoring Ukraine’s energy grid—a decision finalized prior to Zelensky’s visit. The Washington Post reported that the Trump administration is now considering ending ongoing shipments of military aid to Ukraine altogether.
The European Response: Allies Rush to Ukraine’s Defense
The diplomatic rupture triggered an immediate wave of support for Ukraine from European leaders, many of whom saw the confrontation as a wake-up call regarding America’s shifting priorities.
“Today, it became clear that the free world needs a new leader. It’s up to us, Europeans, to take this challenge,” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas declared. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk offered direct reassurance: “Dear Volodymyr Zelensky, dear Ukrainian friends, you are not alone.”
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called for an “immediate” summit between the United States, EU, and Western allies to address the Ukraine crisis, warning that “any division of the West makes us all weaker and favors those who would like to see the decline of our civilization.”
French President Emmanuel Macron, who had met with Trump earlier in the week, emphasized the fundamental moral clarity of the conflict: “There is an aggressor, which is Russia, and an attacked people, which is Ukraine. We must thank all those who helped, and we must respect those who have been fighting since the beginning.”
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer swiftly invited over a dozen European leaders, including Zelensky, to a summit on Ukraine and security on March 2 in London, aiming to “drive forward European action on Ukraine” and signal “collective unwavering support to securing a just and enduring peace.”
The Kremlin’s Shadow: Russia Deepens Alliances with American Adversaries
Even as peace negotiations between the U.S. and Russia progress, Moscow continues to strengthen ties with America’s most significant geopolitical rivals. On February 28, Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu met separately with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing to discuss bilateral security issues and international matters.
Shoigu claimed that the Russia-China relationship has reached “unprecedented” heights, while Russian state media highlighted Xi’s praise of their close bilateral ties. The meetings included discussions on coordinating efforts through BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, as well as diplomatic initiatives regarding “solving the Ukrainian crisis.”
This diplomatic activity followed Russian Security Council Deputy Chairperson Dmitry Medvedev’s February 26 meeting with North Korean Workers’ Party Central Committee member Ri Hi-yong, where he expressed United Russia’s desire “for closer cooperation with the WPK and for expanding contracts and exchanges in all areas.”
The growing Russia-North Korea military partnership took concrete form with reports that Pyongyang deployed an additional 1,000 to 3,000 personnel to Russia’s Kursk Oblast between January and February 2025. Ukrainian intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov warned that North Korean forces are gaining valuable combat experience and enhancing their weapons systems while fighting alongside Russian troops.
A Ukrainian platoon commander in Kursk Oblast noted distinct operational differences between Russian and North Korean units: “North Korean forces usually attack in groups of 10 to 15 personnel, while Russian forces usually attack in smaller groups of two to three personnel.” This tactical distinction highlights the evolving nature of the combined Russian-North Korean military efforts against Ukrainian positions.
Filtration Camps and Forced Passportization: Russia’s Occupation Tactics
Ukraine’s National Resistance Center reported on February 28 that Russian forces have established a new 1,000-person filtration camp to process residents of Ukrainian territories that Moscow occupied in 2024. According to the report, civilians from these areas are being forcibly taken to the camp to check for any cooperation with Ukraine’s defense forces before being compulsorily issued with Russian passports.
This development comes as Russian authorities have stepped up pressure on Ukrainians in occupied territories, with Moscow’s Ministry of Internal Affairs announcing the end of the voluntary issuing of passports and warning that refusal to obtain Russian documents could result in deportation or other repressive measures.
Under Russian law, those who do not hold Russian passports are considered “foreigners” and may only remain in occupied territories for 90 days, after which forced deportation can be imposed. This “passportization” policy serves as a mechanism to gain access to residents’ personal data and to record and control the population.
Justice for MH17 Victims: Families Demand Accountability
Relatives of the MH17 crash victims are insisting that Russia’s recognition of responsibility for the downing of the plane should be part of any peace deal on ending Moscow’s war against Ukraine. In letters sent to U.S. President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the families emphasized that a credible agreement would be difficult without Russia acknowledging its role in the tragedy.
“Without this (Russia’s recognition of the downing of MH17), there can be no lasting peace with Russia,” the letter stated. Flight MH17 was shot down by Russian proxy forces using a Buk surface-to-air missile above Ukraine’s Donetsk Oblast on July 17, 2014, killing all 283 passengers and 15 crew members on board, including 196 Dutch citizens.
Russia has never claimed responsibility for the disaster, instead promoting conspiracy theories to shift blame elsewhere. The District Court of The Hague in November 2022 sentenced in absentia two Russian nationals and one Ukrainian national to life imprisonment for their involvement in the downing.
Battlefield Dynamics: Thermobaric Munitions Depot Destroyed as Russia Advances
As diplomatic tensions escalated, Ukrainian forces achieved a significant tactical success by destroying a Russian thermobaric munitions depot near Selydove in occupied Donetsk Oblast overnight on February 27-28. The Ukrainian General Staff released dramatic video footage showing an initial explosion followed by a spectacular series of larger detonations as the munitions inside ignited.
Thermobaric weapons, which use oxygen from the surrounding air to generate intense high-temperature blasts, are among Russia’s most destructive conventional armaments. The strike’s impact on Russian tactical capabilities in the area is still being assessed.
Ukrainian forces also hit the Ilsky Oil Refinery in Russia’s Krasnodar Krai—the second such attack in February. Ukraine considers Russian oil facilities to be valid military targets, as fossil fuel profits directly finance Moscow’s war effort.
Despite these Ukrainian successes, Russian forces continued to make incremental but strategic territorial gains. Geolocated footage confirmed Russian advances within central Pishchane and the seizure of Zaporizhzhia southwest of Pokrovsk, as well as progress north of Andriivka west of Kurakhove.
In the Velyka Novosilka direction, Russian forces advanced east of Burlatske, while in western Zaporizhia Oblast—an area that had been relatively dormant since Ukraine’s 2023 counteroffensive—they pushed into southern Pyatykhatky.
Civilian Impact: Kharkiv Medical Facility Attacked
Russian drones attacked a medical facility in Kharkiv late on February 28, sparking a fire in Ukraine’s second-largest city, according to Mayor Ihor Terekhov. The strikes also targeted an area near a gas station and a building adjacent to a high-rise apartment complex, while a shopping mall, car dealership, and fire station sustained damage.
Regional Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported that all strikes targeted central districts of the city. At least seven people were injured in the attack, with Ukraine’s State Emergency Service reporting that 64 people, including a child, had been rescued.
Kharkiv Oblast in Ukraine’s northeast continues to be a regular target of Russian missile, drone, and glide bomb attacks from across the border. This latest strike underscores the continuing humanitarian cost of the conflict as civilian infrastructure remains vulnerable to Russian attacks.
Domestic Anticorruption Efforts: Kyiv Officials Dismissed
Against the backdrop of war and diplomatic turmoil, Ukrainian anticorruption efforts continued. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko announced on February 28 that Petro Olenych, the deputy head of the Kyiv City Administration, and several other officials embroiled in a corruption investigation would be dismissed.
The action came after Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) released recordings of conversations of Kyiv officials taken as part of a sting operation aimed at exposing corruption in the city’s land and budget sectors.
The suspects reportedly identified suitable land plots and registered ownership of non-existent buildings in the name of controlled entities. Subsequently, they submitted applications for ownership for the maintenance of these fictional structures to the city council, allegedly helping them avoid fair tender processes.
Strategic Calculations: Deadline Looming for Moscow’s Global Ambitions
Amidst these developments, Ukrainian intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov offered a provocative assessment of Russia’s strategic timeline. According to Budanov, “if they don’t get out of this war by 2026, they lose even a chance for world leadership. They will be left with a maximum level of regional leadership, which they are absolutely not satisfied with.”
The spy chief explained that while Russia can balance its economy through oil, gas, and precious metals exports, the financial cost of the war remains “too high,” preventing Moscow from pursuing technological development critical to its broader ambitions, particularly in the Arctic region.
The American Political Divide: Reactions from Washington
The confrontation between Trump and Zelensky triggered sharply divergent reactions from American political figures. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham praised Trump’s handling of the meeting, saying he was “proud of President Trump” and that Zelensky “is either going to have to fundamentally change or go.”
Democratic lawmakers expressed outrage, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer declaring that the Trump administration was “doing Putin’s dirty work.” Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the highest-ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, called Trump and Vance’s actions “disgraceful and downright un-American,” adding that “they’ve sided with a murderous thug, Putin, over our democratic ally, Ukraine.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized Zelensky after the meeting, suggesting the Ukrainian leader should apologize for how the meeting unfolded and questioning whether he was truly committed to peace. “There was no need for him to go in there and become antagonistic,” Rubio said, arguing that Zelensky’s approach made negotiations more difficult.
The Russian Reaction: Celebrating Diplomatic Discord
Russian officials gleefully commented on the White House confrontation, with Kremlin adviser Kirill Dmitriev—who participated in recent U.S.-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia—calling the argument “historic” in a post on social media. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev praised Trump for telling “the truth,” characterizing the exchange as “a livid reprimand” delivered to an “ungrateful” Zelensky.
The celebratory tone from Moscow highlighted Russia’s continuing strategy of exploiting divisions among Ukraine’s Western supporters while posturing as receptive to negotiations, despite maintaining maximalist territorial demands.
Looking Forward: A Pivotal Moment for Ukraine’s Future
As Zelensky prepares for the London summit and European leaders gather to address the crisis, fundamental questions about Ukraine’s path forward remain unresolved. With Trump declaring, “You’re either going to make a deal or we’re out,” and European nations pledging increased support but lacking America’s military resources, Ukraine faces perhaps its most challenging diplomatic landscape since the war began.
The Danish volunteer Carl Futtrup provided a poignant reminder of the ongoing grassroots support for Ukraine, having sent 500 tons of fishing nets that Ukrainian forces use as shields against Russian drone attacks. “You are also fighting for our freedom, which is why I am in favor of giving you all the support you can get,” he told the Kyiv Post.
As Trump’s daughter-in-law and Republican National Committee Co-Chair Lara Trump summarized the administration’s position: “A peace at all costs is not peace at all, it’s surrender, so we have to be very careful about what peace means.”
For Ukraine, navigating between this American pressure for rapid peace and maintaining the territorial integrity and security guarantees it considers essential will define not only the coming diplomatic encounters but potentially the nation’s long-term sovereignty and independence.