The recap of Zelensky`s interview with Fox News after his visit to the White House

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky gave an exclusive interview to Fox News' "Special Report" with Bret Baier on Friday, February 28, 2025, following a contentious meeting at the White House with U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance. The interview took place in Washington, D.C., hours after a heated Oval Office exchange that disrupted planned discussions on security guarantees and a U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal, aimed as a step toward peace talks in the Russia- Ukraine war. Here are the key points from Zelensky’s Fox News interview, based on available reports as of March 1, 2025:

The White House meeting

The White House meeting on February 28 devolved into a public confrontation, with Trump and Vance accusing Zelensky of being ungrateful for U.S. support and pressuring him to agree to an immediate ceasefire with Russia. Trump reportedly told Zelensky to "make a deal or we’re out," while Vance called Zelensky "disrespectful."

The fallout led to Zelensky being asked to leave the White House early, with no minerals deal signed and a planned joint press conference canceled. Trump later stated on Truth Social that Zelensky was not welcome back until he was "ready for Peace," claiming Zelensky had "disrespected" the U.S.

Key points from the interview

When Baier asked Zelensky if he owed Trump an apology for the Oval Office argument, Zelensky repeatedly declined to apologize. He said, “I’m not sure that we did something bad,” and emphasized honesty in dialogue, stating, “We have to be very open and very honest.”

Zelensky expressed regret that the exchange happened publicly, noting, “This kind of spat is not good for both sides,” but stopped short of accepting blame.

Zelensky expressed optimism about repairing ties with Trump and the U.S., saying, “Yes, of course,” when asked if the relationship could be mended. He underscored the broader historical partnership, stating, “It’s the relations more than two presidents. It’s the strong relations between our people.”

He thanked the American people, Congress, and Trump for their support, emphasizing that Ukraine and the U.S. must remain “on the same side” to counter Russia’s aggression.

Zelensky reiterated Ukraine’s desire for a “just and lasting peace” but insisted on security guarantees (e.g., NATO membership or similar assurances) before entering peace talks with Russia. He told Baier that Ukraine wouldn’t negotiate until it had protections against another Russian offensive.

He acknowledged Trump’s push for an immediate ceasefire but indicated that Ukraine’s position wouldn’t shift without assurances, saying Trump needs to understand that Ukraine “can’t change its attitudes towards Russia on a dime.”

Zelensky expressed a desire for Trump to be “more on our side” rather than neutral in the conflict, stating, “I want really, him to be more at our side. The war began when Russia brought this war to our country. And they are not right.”

Also he highlighted the difficulty of resisting Russia without U.S. support, calling it “difficult” to hold off Russian forces if American backing waned.

Addressing Senator Lindsey Graham’s call for him to resign or change after the White House incident, Zelensky rejected the idea, saying, “No,” when asked if he’d step down for a peace deal. He argued that only the Ukrainian people could demand his resignation.

He also responded to broader Trump administration criticism (e.g., claims that Ukraine’s soldiers were fleeing or that he was a dictator), framing it as a shift from the “friendship” that existed weeks earlier.

Throughout the interview, Zelensky repeatedly thanked the U.S. for its support, which he echoed on X post-interview: “Thank you America, thank you for your support… Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for that.”

He concluded with an appeal to maintain the U.S.-Ukraine partnership, stressing its importance in the ongoing war.

During the interview, Zelensky remained calm and diplomatic, balancing regret over the public dispute with a firm defense of Ukraine’s position. He avoided escalating tensions further while subtly pressing Trump to align more closely with Ukraine’s interests.

European leaders, including Poland’s Donald Tusk and the UK’s Keir Starmer, supported Zelensky after the interview, pledging continued support amid concerns that Trump might push Ukraine into a peace deal favoring Russia.

Russia launched a large-scale attack on Kharkiv, resulting in a number of casualties of 12

Russian forces launched a large-scale drone attack on Kharkiv overnight between February 28 and March 1, injuring 12 civilians, including two children, according to the Office of the Prosecutor General.

One of the UAVs struck an arch near a multi-story residential building in the Shevchenkivskyi district, causing a 6-year-old girl to suffer an acute stress reaction. Another drone hit a medical facility in the city center, injuring four female patients. Additional strikes targeted a roadway near a car dealership and a residential complex, as well as a garden association.

In the Kyivskyi district, a non-operational office building—previously attacked multiple times by Russian forces—was hit again. Another drone struck a two-story commercial building. The attacks also caused damage to apartment blocks, pharmacies, cafes, and shops across the city.

Kharkiv remains a frequent target of Russian aerial assaults, with civilian infrastructure increasingly suffering from repeated strikes. Authorities continue to assess the full scale of the damage while providing aid to the injured.

Trump's administration may stop all support for Ukraine including Intelligence sharing, military training

This report from The New York Times suggests a potential shift in U.S. policy regarding support for Ukraine under President Donald Trump's administration. According to a representative from the administration, Trump may halt not only direct military aid but also indirect support such as intelligence sharing, military training, and logistical coordination with allies.

A key point raised in the report is Trump's view of further aid as leverage, contrasting with the Biden administration’s perspective that continued support for Ukraine was essential for maintaining Kyiv’s resistance against Russian aggression. The uncertainty surrounding U.S. assistance could significantly impact Ukraine’s strategic planning and its ability to sustain military operations.

Additionally, the data from the Kiel Institute highlights that European nations have allocated $138 billion in military aid to Ukraine, surpassing the $119 billion provided by the U.S. This statistic underscores the increasing role of European allies in supporting Ukraine, though a potential withdrawal of U.S. assistance could create significant gaps in military funding and operational capacity.

The possibility of these policy changes raises concerns among Ukraine’s allies, as reduced American support could weaken Kyiv’s defense capabilities and shift the geopolitical dynamics of the war.

Russia is demonstrating deepening relations with US adversaries 

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) report highlights Russia’s deepening ties with U.S. adversaries, despite Putin’s attempts to signal openness to negotiations with Washington.

A key focus of Russia's diplomatic efforts is its relationship with China. Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu’s meetings with Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Foreign Minister Wang Yi indicate that both countries continue to strengthen security and economic ties. Discussions centered on international cooperation through BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), with an emphasis on diplomatic efforts to "resolve" the war in Ukraine—though likely on terms favorable to Russia. Shoigu’s assertion that Russia-China relations have reached "unprecedented" levels underscores how Moscow is leveraging this partnership amid ongoing tensions with the West.

At the same time, Russia is expanding cooperation with North Korea. The recent agreement between the Kursk Oblast Chamber of Commerce and the Pyongyang Chamber of Commerce aims to enhance trade, industry, and logistical projects, further solidifying economic ties between the two countries. Given past reports of North Korean arms shipments to Russia, this agreement could have military implications as well.

The ISW assessment underscores how Russia’s alignment with China and North Korea complicates U.S. efforts to pressure Moscow. This growing axis highlights the importance of continued Western support for Ukraine and its allies to counterbalance Russia’s expanding influence.