“Zelensky Wants To Come Back Right Now, But I Can’t Do That”: Trump Says Ukrainian President Must “Want Peace” In Order To Restart Negotiations With White House

Image Credit: Andrew Harnik / Staff

President Donald Trump has denied President Volodymyr Zelensky’s request to return to the White House, adding his Ukrainian counterpart must first “want peace” before negotiations continue.

Hours after Zelensky’s disrespectful Oval Office meeting Friday, A reporter asked Trump when Zelensky would be invited back to the White House.

JUST IN: President Trump says Zelensky wanted to come back to the White House "right now" but he wouldn't let him.

Reporter: "How long do you think it will take for Zelensky to want peace and be invited back to the White House?

Trump: "Well, he says he wants it now. He wants to… pic.twitter.com/soFrrzBkry
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) February 28, 2025

“He wants to come back right now,” said Trump. “But I can’t do that.”

Answering more questions, Trump said Zelensky must say he wants peace in order to “restart talks.”

“He’s got to say ‘I want to make peace,’” said Trump. “[Zelensky] doesn’t have to stand there and say ‘Putin this and Putin that,’ all negative things.”

“[Zelensky] has to say ‘I want to make peace, I don’t want to fight a war any longer.’”

“His people are dying, he doesn’t have the cards.”

Here’s Trump’s full encounter with the press outside the White House where he says Zelensky is ‘not a man who wants to make peace.’

WATCH IN FULL: President Donald J. Trump speaks to the press on the South Lawn of the White House pic.twitter.com/49lQwAi8dM
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) February 28, 2025

Also, watch the full Oval Office encounter between the Trump Administration & Zelensky that sheds light on why Trump slammed Zelensky’s uncompromising stance towards Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Here is the full 50-minute conversation between President Trump and President Zelensky.

There are a lot of politicians claiming Zelensky was "ambushed."

There was a full 40 minutes of dialogue before the "fireworks" started.

The president insisted throughout the first 40… pic.twitter.com/yu1ragwpAS
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) February 28, 2025

More analysis:

If you watch the full Trump-Zelensky press conference, it is very clear that Zelensky, not Trump or Vance, became the antagonist. Both POTUS and VP were very respectful and cordial until Zelensky very publicly ignited a firestorm.

It all starts at 40:30

1) Zelensky essentially… pic.twitter.com/xrM4cWSPny
— Jordan Schachtel (@JordanSchachtel) February 28, 2025

Here my observations on Z’s comments/mindsets:
1. Z says in the first 2 minutes, “No concessions to Putin, he is a killer, a terrorist."
2. He does not shake his head “yes” when T is talking about getting a deal done as he does when T praises soldiers and UK people.
3. It…
— Portia Kersten 🇺🇸 (@portiakersten) February 28, 2025

I watched the entire press conference with Zelensky. There was 40 minutes of discussion up to the argument. Most people saw at most the last ten minutes. The whole video gives the proper context.

When I first watched the argument without the proper context, I thought it was…
— Richard Hanania (@RichardHanania) February 28, 2025

Moreover, Zelensky repeatedly refused to apologize to Trump during his Friday evening interview with Fox News:

🚨 #BREAKING: Zelensky refuses MULTIPLE TIMES to apologize to President Trump after disrespecting him and our country in the Oval Office

GO HOME, Zelensky.

Your time is over. We're done with you. pic.twitter.com/GMvrYMcqu5
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) February 28, 2025

Now, after being pressed if he can salvage his relationship with Trump, Zelensky has said he is “thankful” and “sorry” for what happened.

President Zelenskyy tells @BretBaier the relationship between the United States and Ukraine can be salvaged after today's explosive meeting between him and President Trump at the White House. pic.twitter.com/7bfFmRTzlW
— Fox News (@FoxNews) February 28, 2025