Treasury Secretary Blasts Failed Meeting, But Zelenskyy Says He’s Still “Ready To Sign” Deal

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has blasted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy following a contentious White House meeting where the Ukrainian leader clashed with President Donald Trump over peace negotiations.

Quick Takes

Zelenskyy left the White House late last week without signing the economic deal with the U.S. after the conversation between him, President Donald Trump, and Vice President J.D. Vance became heated.
Bessent criticized Zelenskyy, blaming him for getting in the way of the deal that would have demonstrated unity between the US and Ukraine
Despite the fallout, Zelenskyy maintains Ukraine is “ready to sign” the agreement while seeking additional security assurances.
The Treasury Secretary insists that an economic partnership cannot precede peace negotiations with Russia.
Senator Mark Kelly described the diplomatic breakdown as a “dumpster fire” that ultimately benefits Vladimir Putin.

White House Meeting Turns Contentious

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky left a recent White House meeting without signing the anticipated minerals agreement after a heated exchange with President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent expressed shock at the breakdown, stating that what should have been a routine signing ceremony devolved into an argument over peace talks with Russia. The economic agreement, intended to strengthen ties between the two nations and secure critical mineral supply chains, appears to have been put on hold following the incident, with Trump even going so far as to put aid for Ukraine on hold.

According to Bessent, Zelenskyy attempted to “relitigate” terms related to peace negotiations during the Oval Office meeting, catching American officials off guard. The Ukrainian president’s public comments expressing doubt about Putin’s willingness to honor any peace agreement led to a harsh reaction from Trump, who has consistently emphasized ending the conflict quickly. The Treasury Secretary insisted that Ukraine had disrupted the proper sequence of events, stating, “It’s impossible to have an economic deal without a peace deal.”

Diplomatic Fallout

The scrapped minerals deal represents a significant setback in U.S.-Ukraine relations at a critical moment. In an interview on “Face the Nation,” Bessent placed responsibility for the failure squarely on Zelenskyy, saying, “All President Zelensky had to do was come in and sign this economic agreement, and again show no daylight — no daylight — between Ukrainian people and the American people, and he chose to blow that up.” This direct criticism from a Cabinet official underscores the administration’s frustration with Ukraine’s leadership.

When asked about the “minerals agreement” by an interviewer, Bessent went on to say, “It’s not a minerals agreement. It’s a general economic agreement. So calling it a minerals agreement is incorrect, and I think we have to see if President Zelensky wants to proceed, what’s- what’s the use in having an economic agreement that’s going to be rendered moot if he wants the fighting to continue.”

Republican Rep. Mike Turner criticized Zelenskyy’s behavior as inappropriate, while Democratic Senator Mark Kelly characterized the incident as a “dumpster fire of diplomacy,” arguing that Trump and Vance made the U.S. appear weaker and that the incident only benefited Russia. The breakdown comes amid already strained relations, with the Trump administration taking a harder line on continued military aid to Ukraine. Bessent’s comments signal that economic cooperation will remain contingent on progress toward ending the Russian invasion on terms acceptable to Washington.

Ukraine’s Response

Despite the diplomatic tension, President Zelenskyy says that Ukraine remains willing to sign the minerals agreement, according to The BBC. After the failed meeting, he emphasized the importance of “constructive dialogue” with the United States and having Ukraine’s position understood. Through social media and subsequent statements, Zelenskyy indicated that while Ukraine is prepared to move forward with economic cooperation, additional security assurances remain essential given the ongoing Russian threat.

Zelenskyy has warned that Ukraine’s failure would represent a victory for Putin and create broader setbacks for European and American interests. When responding to critics who have suggested he should resign, Zelenskyy has signaled that he would be willing to do so for the good of Ukraine or for NATO membership. “I have said that I am exchanging for Nato membership, then it means I have fulfilled my mission. Nato means I have fulfilled my mission,” he said.

Ukraine still 'ready' to sign US minerals deal, Zelensky tells BBC https://t.co/WrjAO7rQ89

— Prime View News (@primeviewnews) March 3, 2025

Future Prospects

The path forward for US-Ukraine economic cooperation remains unclear following this diplomatic setback. Treasury Secretary Bessent has established a clear position that economic deals will follow, not precede, peace negotiations. This approach represents a significant shift from previous administrations that maintained economic and military support regardless of immediate peace prospects. French President Emmanuel Macron’s proposal for a month-long truce to facilitate negotiations may offer a potential path to restart discussions.