
Trump's Tumultuous Week: Clashes with Zelenskyy and Policy Shifts
President Donald Trump’s administration has been at the center of several significant events this week, showcasing both domestic and international tensions. Here’s a rundown of the latest developments:
Explosive Meeting with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy
A high-stakes meeting between President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy ended in chaos on Friday. The encounter, which was meant to discuss a potential deal involving Ukraine’s rare minerals, devolved into a shouting match in the Oval Office12.
- Trump and Vice President JD Vance accused Zelenskyy of being “disrespectful” and “not ready for peace”
- The planned press conference and signing ceremony were abruptly canceled
- Zelenskyy left the White House without comment shortly after the heated argument
Trump later took to Truth Social, stating that Zelenskyy could return “when he is ready for peace,” and accused him of disrespecting the United States2.
Foreign Policy Shifts
The confrontation with Zelenskyy highlights a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy under Trump’s second term. The administration appears to be taking a more skeptical stance on aid to Ukraine, with Trump expressing frustration over what he perceives as a lack of gratitude for U.S. support2.
Domestic Policy Changes
On the home front, the Trump administration is pushing for major changes:
- A proposed overhaul of the federal government and its workforce5
- Implementation of new tariffs on goods from Mexico, Canada, and China7
- Increased funding for immigration enforcement and border security8
Legal Challenges
The administration continues to face legal hurdles:
- A federal judge temporarily blocked the suspension of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program8
- Another ruling prevented ICE from conducting enforcement actions in select houses of worship8
As President Trump prepares to address a joint session of Congress next week, these recent events are likely to shape the tone and content of his speech. The address is expected to outline his vision for the country and his administration’s priorities moving forward5.
Citations:
- https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/live-updates/trump-2nd-term-live-updates/?id=119115308
- https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/28/politics/trump-zelensky-vance-oval-office/index.html
- https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/live-blog/trump-zelenskyy-russia-ukraine-white-house-live-updates-rcna193942
- https://www.dhs.gov/making-america-safe-again
- https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-live-president-donald-trumps-2025-address-to-congress-pbs-news-special
- https://www.dw.com/en/ukraine-updates-zelenskyy-to-sign-deal-at-white-house/live-71778629
- https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-administration-news-02-27-25/index.html
- https://hias.org/news/refugee-rights-and-trump-administration-week-six/
- https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/trump-says-mexico-canada-tariffs-take-effect-march-4-2025-02-27/
- https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/zelenskyy-trump-white-house-russia-peace-talks-rare-earth-minerals-rcna194118
- https://www.npr.org/2025/02/28/nx-s1-5313079/trump-zelenskyy-meeting
- https://www.cnbc.com/2025/02/27/stock-market-today-live-updates.html
- https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2025/2/28/donald-trump-live-news-zelenskyy-in-dc-for-talks-on-rare-minerals-deal
- https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-sign-executive-order-making-english-official-us-language-wsj-reports-2025-02-28/
- https://apnews.com/live/donald-trump-latest-news-2-28-2025
- https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_233498.htm
- https://www.reuters.com/world/trump-zelenskiy-sign-minerals-deal-white-house-meeting-2025-02-28/
- https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/02/28/us/trump-news
- https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/cdel2npwe50o