Moscow Slams Zelensky After His Washington Visit: An “Obsession with War” and a Failure with Trump

A Tense Confrontation at the White House, Between Moscow’s Accusations and International Tensions

Context of the Incident
On February 28, 2025, Volodymyr Zelensky abruptly left the White House following a particularly tense meeting with Donald Trump. The two leaders were at odds over several issues, particularly the recognition of U.S. support. Trump expressed his frustration with the handling of relations with Kiev, while Zelensky accused him of lacking sufficient support for Ukraine in 2022, leading to a heated exchange. Initially, Zelensky had arrived in Washington to sign an agreement on the exploitation of Ukrainian minerals, but the situation quickly escalated, with Trump claiming that Zelensky had “overestimated his hand.”

Russian Reactions: “Obsession” and Diplomatic Failure
In the wake of the confrontation, Moscow reacted harshly, immediately the following day, through Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She accused Volodymyr Zelensky of being “obsessed with the continuation of the war” in Ukraine, stressing that this attitude was counterproductive to Russia’s unchanged objectives. Zakharova claimed that Zelensky’s visit to Washington had ended in a “total failure” and labeled him as responsible for this diplomatic setback.

The Russian reaction didn’t stop there. Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, called the incident “historic,” expressing his satisfaction that Trump had directly confronted Zelensky. Meanwhile, Dmitry Medvedev, former Russian president and current member of the Russian Security Council, mocked the Ukrainian leader, referring to him as a “clown” and an “insolent pig.”

International Implications: The War in Ukraine and Reactions in Europe
Beyond the dispute between Zelensky and Trump, this incident could have broader repercussions on the situation in Ukraine. France quickly expressed its support for the Ukrainian president, emphasizing Vladimir Putin’s responsibility for escalating the conflict. Emmanuel Macron reiterated that the war in Ukraine is Russia’s aggression and that Europe must remain united in the face of these threats.

In a televised speech, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock emphasized the severity of the diplomatic incident, calling it a “new era of infamy.” She argued that Europe must now more than ever defend the international order against the law of the strongest, by firmly supporting Ukraine.

The Future of the Mineral Agreement and the War in Ukraine
The incident between Zelensky and Trump also raises questions about the future of the mineral agreement, which seemed to be one of the main objectives of the Ukrainian president’s visit to Washington. After the altercation, the agreement on the exploitation of Ukrainian resources was not signed, and Zelensky left without securing a deal.

This meeting’s outcome could mark a turning point in Ukraine-U.S. relations, as experts speculate about the possibility of reduced American support for Ukraine, particularly in terms of military aid and economic assistance.