NATO chief urges Zelenskyy to mend ties with Trump after White House clash

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has said that he advised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to find a way to restore his relationship with US President Donald Trump following a confrontation at the White House on February 28.

The tension between the two leaders emerged over conflicting views on how to end Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. While Zelenskyy sought robust security guarantees from a potential Trump administration, Trump has advocated for a diplomatic approach with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Caliber.Az reports, citing Western media sources.

Describing the meeting as “unfortunate,” Rutte said it worsened ties between Kyiv and Washington, marking a new low in relations between Ukraine and its primary military supporter.

“I said: I think you have to find a way, dear Volodymyr, to restore your relationship with Donald Trump and the American administration. That is important going forward,” Rutte told the BBC, referencing a conversation he had with Zelenskyy on February 28.

Rutte emphasized the importance of recognizing Trump’s contributions to Ukraine, particularly during the early stages of the war. “We really have to respect what President Trump has done so far for Ukraine,” Rutte said. He reminded Zelenskyy that Trump’s decision to supply Javelin anti-tank missiles in 2019 had been critical in Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s invasion.

“Without the Javelins in 2022, when the full-scale attack started, Ukraine would have been nowhere,” Rutte added. “I told him we really have to give Trump credit for what he did then, what America did since then, and also what America is still doing.”

When asked about the accusations exchanged between the two leaders during the meeting, Rutte declined to comment in detail. He reiterated that the US remains deeply invested in NATO, particularly in its mutual-defense clause, Article 5.

Rutte acknowledged his personal relationship with Trump, referring to the US president as a “friend,” but he stopped short of addressing specific claims, such as Trump’s accusation that Zelenskyy was “gambling with World War III” or his warning that Zelenskyy must strike a deal or risk the US withdrawing support.

“I am absolutely convinced that the US wants to bring Ukraine to this durable peace... And obviously, what they need to get there is to make sure that we’ll all work together on this,” Rutte said.

Regarding the possibility of the US withdrawing military support from Ukraine, Rutte expressed confidence in NATO's unity. “Let’s move beyond this question. It is crucial that we stay all in this together – the US, Ukraine, Europe, that we bring Ukraine to a peace, this is exactly what President Trump is fighting for, what we all are fighting for,” he concluded.

Notably, the February 28 meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump was marked by a significant confrontation. The tension stemmed from differing approaches to resolving the ongoing war in Ukraine. While Zelenskyy sought strong security guarantees and continued support from the U.S., Trump advocated for a diplomatic approach with Russia, calling for negotiations with President Vladimir Putin.

Zelenskyy had hoped to finalize a deal regarding Ukraine’s rare earth minerals as collateral for military and economic aid. However, the meeting collapsed when Trump accused Zelenskyy of “gambling with World War III” and warned of U.S. withdrawal if Ukraine didn’t pursue a settlement with Russia. The clash led Zelenskyy to leave the meeting early, further straining U.S.-Ukraine relations.

Internationally, the fallout has been significant. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte advised Zelenskyy to repair his relationship with Trump, highlighting the importance of U.S. support. Meanwhile, European leaders expressed concern over the damage to international unity in the fight against Russia.

The meeting underscored the deep political divisions within both Ukraine and the U.S., as Zelenskyy seeks to balance military aid and sovereignty, while Trump’s stance on Russia continues to influence U.S. foreign policy.

By Khagan Isayev