94Ha Viewpoint
On February 28, Ukrainian President Zelensky, who was visiting the United States, met with US President Trump and had a fierce quarrel. In the end, the two sides parted unhappily. The United Kingdom organized a meeting with several European countries and Canada on March 2.
The meeting focused on the Ukrainian crisis and European defense issues. At the meeting, British Prime Minister Starmer talked about European countries forming a “voluntary alliance” to provide security for Ukraine.
On the other hand, the verbal battle between Zelensky and Trump did not end with Zelensky’s departure from the United States to the United Kingdom. Zelensky still emphasized security in his video statement on the 3rd, and Trump commented that it was “very bad” and the United States “would not tolerate it anymore.”
The Zelensky meeting ended unhappily, but the dispute between Ukraine and the United States did not stop
Zelensky issued a video statement on the 3rd, reiterating his demands for security. Trump also criticized Zelensky’s related remarks on the same day.
Zelensky issued a video statement emphasizing the need for security
In the early morning of March 3rd local time, Ukrainian President Zelensky released a video on social media saying that Ukraine needs peace, not endless war. That is why Ukraine said security guarantees are the key to achieving this goal.
Zelensky said that in the near future, everyone in Europe will form a common position – the bottom line we must achieve and the red line that cannot be compromised. These positions will be presented to partners in the United States.
Zelensky also said that a solid and lasting peace and the right agreement to end the conflict are the real common priorities of Europe.
Trump responded with a post: “It’s terrible” and “I won’t tolerate it anymore”
Late on the 3rd, US President Trump posted on social media to respond to Zelensky’s latest video statement. Trump said that Ukrainian President Zelensky’s statement may be the “worst” statement he has made, and the United States “will not tolerate it much longer.”
Trump said that Zelensky does not want peace as long as the United States supports it, and European countries made it clear in their meeting with Zelensky that they cannot do the job without the support of the United States. Trump said that from the perspective of showing strength against Russia, this “may not be a good statement.”
As for the Ukrainian-US mineral agreement, which was once rumored to be signed soon, it was temporarily shelved after Zelensky’s unpleasant meeting with Trump.
Ukrainian President Zelensky, who is visiting the UK, told the media on March 2 that although he failed to reach a mineral agreement at the White House, he was still “willing” to sign the agreement. However, the US side said that it is not continuing to discuss the signing of a mineral agreement with Ukraine.
Zelensky: Still willing to sign the Ukrainian-US mineral agreement
Zelensky said that despite the friction in his meeting with US President Trump last week, he is still willing to have a “constructive dialogue” with the US. He believes that the US now needs some time to consider the mineral agreement between the two countries. Zelensky said that if he receives an invitation, he is willing to return to the White House for further talks, and he believes that Ukraine’s relationship with the United States can be saved.
Ukrainian President Zelensky: I think our relationship with the United States will continue, because it is not just a momentary relationship. We must open our hearts. Ukraine is not the most powerful country in the world, but everyone can see how it fights for independence and freedom. We rely on the aid and support of the United States, there is no doubt about that.
US Treasury Secretary: No more discussion of mineral agreement with Ukraine
However, US Treasury Secretary Bessant said that the United States is not currently discussing the mineral agreement with Ukraine.
Host: So the mineral agreement is not being discussed now?
US Treasury Secretary Bessant: Not now.
US Secretary of State: Zelensky should apologize
After Zelensky’s meeting with Trump turned into a quarrel, US Secretary of State Rubio said that Zelensky should apologize for it.
Host: Do you want to see Zelensky apologize?
US Secretary of State Rubio: He should apologize for making a mess of this matter.
In an interview with Fox News in the United States, Zelensky was asked whether he should apologize to US President Trump, and he did not answer directly.
Ukrainian President Zelensky: I respect President Trump very much. He wants to end the war.
Senior US official:
The US needs a Ukrainian leader who can end the conflict
In addition, several senior officials, including US President’s National Security Advisor Waltz and US House Speaker Mike Johnson, criticized the performance of Ukrainian President Zelensky during the meeting with US President Trump on March 2. They said that the United States needs a Ukrainian leader who can end the conflict.
US House Speaker Mike Johnson: Either he needs to wake up and return to the negotiating table with gratitude, or someone else needs to lead the country.
According to the New York Times on the 2nd, US President Trump will convene Secretary of State Rubio and Secretary of Defense Hegseth and others for a meeting on the 3rd to study and possibly take a series of measures against Ukraine, including suspending or canceling military support for Ukraine.
However, according to Trump’s latest response at the White House press conference on March 3, the US government does not seem to have discussed the matter yet.
Trump said: “We are not even talking about” suspending military aid to Ukraine. He said that many things are happening, “We will wait and see”.
The US-Ukraine meeting ended unpleasantly, and there was no obvious progress in the US-Russia ceasefire negotiations on the issue of ceasefire negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. US Secretary of State Rubio said on the 2nd that in order to reach a peace agreement, Russia must be brought back to the negotiation table; but Russian President’s Press Secretary Peskov said on the 3rd that there is no mature and institutionalized peace plan for Ukraine on the agenda.
Peskov said that when dealing with relations with the United States, Russia still insists on carrying out special military operations in Ukraine and ultimately achieving the established goals. In addition, Russia is still in dialogue with the United States on the normalization of bilateral relations to ensure that diplomatic institutions stationed in the other country can resume normal operation. If this goal cannot be achieved, it will be difficult to discuss other issues.
Britain took over the meeting and proposed “a plan and four steps”
Shortly after the “breakdown of talks” between the United States and Ukraine, leaders of more than a dozen European and EU countries, as well as Ukraine and Canada, held a summit in London, England on March 2 to discuss the Ukrainian crisis and European defense issues.
British Prime Minister Starmer said at a press conference after the meeting that the participating countries agreed that Britain, France and other countries would work with Ukraine to develop a ceasefire plan and would discuss and promote the plan with the United States. According to the results of the summit discussion, all parties agreed to support Ukraine in four steps:
Continue to provide military assistance to Ukraine and exert economic pressure on Russia;
Achieving lasting peace must ensure Ukraine’s sovereignty and security, and Ukraine must participate in it;
After reaching a peace agreement, continue to strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities to prevent any possible future security threats;
Establish an alliance committed to defending the Ukrainian peace agreement and guaranteeing peace.
Starmer: Europe must bear the heavy responsibility, but must be supported by the United States
According to Starmer’s explanation, Europe must bear the heavy responsibility in this plan. But Starmer still emphasized the importance of US participation. He said that in order to achieve peace and success, strong support from the United States is necessary. All parties agreed with US President Trump’s view on the urgent need to achieve lasting peace, and the leaders of various countries will meet again soon to continue working towards the realization of the Ukrainian peace plan.
“Europe urgently needs to rearm”
European Commission President von der Leyen said after the meeting that Europe now urgently needs to rearm, and European countries need more fiscal space to significantly increase defense spending. To this end, she will present a comprehensive plan to “rearm Europe” to European leaders on March 6.
Polish Prime Minister Tusk also said at a press conference after the meeting that Europe must assume more and more responsibilities and enhance its own strength. Tusk hopes that more countries will implement the requirement to increase defense spending.
Peskov: The London Summit is not for peace but for continuing the war
In response to the London Summit, Russian President’s Press Secretary Peskov said on the 3rd that European leaders promised to continue to support Ukraine at the London Summit, which is obviously unrelated to the peace plan, but leads to continued hostility.
△ Russian President’s Press Secretary Peskov (data map)
Peskov commented: “(The London Summit) is not for peace, but for continuing the war.”
Peskov believes that Western countries have been divided and “collectiveness” is being lost. The positions of some countries have changed, but some countries still insist on supporting Ukraine and military conflicts and do not think that peace should be achieved as soon as possible.
Analysis says Britain is trying to “cool down” the US-Ukraine quarrel
European countries have realized that the United States can no longer be relied on
Regarding the meeting on European security led by the United Kingdom, British public opinion believes that after Brexit, Britain has gained the initiative to conduct diplomatic mediation outside the European Union. The relationship between Britain and the United States is special. After the US and Ukrainian leaders quarreled in the White House, the British side tried to “cool down” the two sides and strived to play the role of “middleman”.
British media said that the London summit was also an attempt by Europe to lead diplomatic efforts in the Ukrainian crisis. The British Guardian article said that Europe still has a lot to do before it can have a real impact on the “Ukrainian Peace Agreement”.
John Bryson, a professor at the University of Birmingham in the UK, said that Europe is gradually forming a more integrated security concept, which is led by Europe itself, rather than relying solely on the United States. Ian Berg, a professor at the London School of Economics, said that European countries have realized that the United States may no longer be a partner they can rely on, and Europe must quickly clarify its position.
The United States still insists that Europe leads European security
Zelensky once again speaks of “dependence on the United States”
As for the security guarantees that Ukrainian President Zelensky continues to demand, the United States has not changed its position so far. Previously, including US President Trump and several senior US officials, they all said that the security guarantee for Ukraine will be mainly the responsibility of Europe.
The United States welcomes Europe’s “stepping up” in terms of security guarantees for Ukraine
After the London Summit, US President’s National Security Advisor Waltz and US Secretary of State Rubio both expressed support and appreciation for the European side’s statement at the meeting.
On March 3rd local time, the White House welcomed the European-led efforts to end the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. Waltz, the US President’s National Security Advisor, said that the United States welcomes Europeans to play a leading role in European security.
Waltz said that before Ukrainian President Zelensky visited the White House last week, Europe’s plan to increase its contribution to Ukraine’s security was “already obvious”, and the United States welcomes Europe to “step up”, but they must also invest in the ability to achieve this goal.
The US State Department also said on the same day that US Secretary of State Rubio thanked the British Foreign Secretary for his role in encouraging Europe to provide its own defense and promote peace in Ukraine.
US officials: The White House has not seen Zelensky
willing to compromise to end the Russian-Ukrainian conflict
On the other hand, the United States is still continuing to put pressure on Zelensky. Waltz, the US President’s National Security Advisor, said on the 3rd that the White House did not see Ukrainian President Zelensky willing to make the compromises needed to end the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, and Zelensky was obviously not ready to discuss peace.
US Secretary of State Rubio also confirmed on the same day that the United States is ready to end the Russian-Ukrainian conflict through negotiations and will continue to work with the United Kingdom to promote peace in Ukraine.
As for the differences between the United States and Ukraine in achieving peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, as well as the measures that the United States may take next and whether to stop providing aid to Ukraine, U.S. Commerce Secretary Lutnick stated on the 3rd that Trump would carefully consider what to do and how to respond.
Zelensky: Looking forward to U.S. support for Ukraine to achieve peace
Trump: Zelensky should be more grateful for our support
After expressing the need for security guarantees and being criticized by Trump again, on the evening of the 3rd, Zelensky expressed Ukraine’s hope for U.S. support in achieving peace.
Ukrainian President Zelensky said on social media on March 3 local time that we must work hard to make our diplomacy truly substantive in order to quickly end the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. He hopes to rely on the support of the United States to ensure peace.
Zelensky said, “We are working with the United States and our European partners and very much hope to get the support of the United States on the road to peace. Peace needs to be achieved as soon as possible.”
According to Trump’s latest statement at the White House press conference on March 3, Trump believes that Zelensky should be more grateful for Washington’s support.
