A shouting match in the Oval Office, broadcast worldwide, with US President Donald Trump appears to have not deterred Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky. Mr Zelensky, whose joint news conference and signing ceremony for a deal on rare minerals was cancelled with US officials telling Ukrainians to leave, today underscored that it is "crucial for us to have President Trump's support". 

"We want peace. That's why I came to the United States, and visited President Trump. The deal on minerals is just a first step toward security guarantees and getting closer to peace. Our situation is tough, but we can't just stop fighting and not having guarantees that Putin will not return tomorrow," Mr Zelensky posted on X.

Moments after his heated exchange with the Ukrainian leader, Mr Trump had said in a social media post that Mr Zelensky can come back "when he is ready for peace". Mr Trump also accused the Ukrainian leader of having "disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office".

"I have determined that President Zelensky is not ready for Peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations. He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for Peace," Mr Trump posted on Truth Social.  

Mr Zelensky thanked dozens of allies on social media on Saturday, a day after Mr Trump and Vice President JD Vance accused him of not being sufficiently grateful.

He on X wrote the words "Thank you for your support" in individual replies to around 30 messages of support from European leaders after his much publicised clash with the new US administration in the White House.

Despite the confrontation, Zelensky earlier thanked Mr Trump, the US Congress and the American people for their support and for his visit. Today again, he reiterated that in a separate post. 

"We are very grateful to the United States for all the support. I'm thankful to President Trump, Congress for their bipartisan support, and American people. Ukrainians have always appreciated this support, especially during these three years of full-scale invasion. America's help has been vital in helping us survive, and I want to acknowledge that. Despite the tough dialogue, we remain strategic partners. But we need to be honest and direct with each other to truly understand our shared goals," Mr Zelensky wrote on X.

"It's crucial for us to have President Trump's support. He wants to end the war, but no one wants peace more than we do. We are the ones living this war in Ukraine. It's a fight for our freedom, for our very survival," he said.

Mr Zelensky, quoting President Ronald Reagan's "Peace is not just the absence of war", stressed that Ukraine is talking about just and lasting peace. He further said that a ceasefire won't work with Putin, as he has "broken ceasefires 25 times over the last ten years". 

As a first step towards peace, Mr Zelensky, despite the bitter Oval Office memory, said he is ready to sign the minerals deal and that Ukrainian people "need to know that America is on our side".

"We are ready to sign the minerals agreement, and it will be the first step toward security guarantees. But it's not enough, and we need more than just that. A ceasefire without security guarantees is dangerous for Ukraine. We've been fighting for 3 years, and Ukrainian people need to know that America is on our side," said Mr Zelensky.

Mr Zelensky maintained that "Russia is the enemy" and that Ukraine needs to be strong at the negotiation table.  

"I cannot change Ukraine's position on Russia. The Russians are killing us. Russia is the enemy, and that's the reality we face. Ukraine wants peace, but it must be a just and lasting peace. For that, we need to be strong at the negotiation table. Peace can only come when we know we have security guarantees, when our army is strong, and our partners are with us," he said.

Day after Friday’s blowup between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Oval Office, Russia’s foreign ministry termed Ukrainian President’s visit to Washington DC a “complete diplomatic failure of Kyiv”.

“The visit … to Washington on February 28 is a complete political and diplomatic failure by the Kyiv regime,” Kremlin Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a written statement published on Saturday on the ministry’s website.

Zakharova further added that the Ukrainian president is “obsessed” with prolonging the war and adds that Moscow’s goals remain “demilitarisation” of Ukraine and annexation of all territories currently occupied by Russia.

“With his outrageously rude behaviour during his stay in Washington, Zelenskyy confirmed that he is the most dangerous threat to the world community as an irresponsible instigator of a major war,” Zakharova claimed.

“The sooner Kyiv and certain European capitals realise this, the closer a peaceful resolution of the Ukrainian crisis will be.”

Mediapersons sat stunned as an extraordinary Oval Office clash ensued between US President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and visiting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The Ukrainian President was accused of not being "thankful" for US help in the three-year war. "You don't have the cards right now," he said. "You're either going to make a deal or we're out, and if we're out, you'll fight it out and I don't think it's going to be pretty."

Zelensky left without a minerals deal painted as a significant step towards a US-brokered truce, while Trump said the leader was simply not ready for peace with Russia.

The meeting came after Trump held phone conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin and his administration made clear Moscow's wish to not include Ukraine in NATO. Democrats accused Trump and Vance of doing Putin's "dirty work" after they berated Zelensky in front of the world's media. 

Pope Francis suffered an isolated coughing fit on Friday (February 28, 2025) that resulted in him inhaling vomit, requiring non-invasive mechanical ventilation, the Vatican said in relaying a setback in his two-week long battle against double pneumonia.

The 88-year-old pope remained conscious and alert at all times and cooperated with the maneuvers to help him recover. He responded well, with a good level of oxygen exchange and was continuing to wear a mask to receive supplemental oxygen, the Vatican said.

Vivek Ramaswamy, the 39-year-old entrepreneur and former presidential candidate, has found himself at the center of a heated debate after a clip of him giving a barefoot interview at home resurfaced online. The video, which was recorded during a live stream last year, has sparked a wave of strong reactions on social media, with some critics labeling his actions as "uncivilised" and "anti-American".

Commentator Ian Miles Cheong was quick to defend Ramaswamy, dismissing the backlash as "the dumbest argument" he's heard. Cheong pointed out that going barefoot in one's own home is hardly anti-American, and that perhaps critics have been influenced by sitcoms where characters wear shoes in bed, “I guess too many people grew up on sitcoms where they wear their shoes in bed.”

Despite Cheong's defense, many critics continued to express their outrage on social media. One user wrote, "Vivek will never be governor of Ohio. This is unacceptable for America." Another added, "Maybe at least have some socks on while you interview for a position in the most powerful empire on the planet, yeah?" A third user took issue with Ramaswamy's choice to go shoeless, writing, "Vivek lectures us about education while barefoot. Uncivilised."

However, not everyone was critical of Ramaswamy's actions. Many users came to his defense, pointing out that removing shoes indoors is a common practice in many cultures, including in South and East Asia. “Nearly all Indians go barefoot in their own homes. There's nothing wrong with it. Just a cultural thing”, a user commented, while another added another comment about Indian tradition, “In Indian tradition, it is customary to take off your shoes before entering someone's home, considered a sign of respect and hygiene, as it prevents bringing dirt and germs from outside into the house; this practice is widely followed.”

Political commentator Kim Iversen added to the debate saying, "I understand this is a ‘culture' thing, but you non-Asians wearing shoes in your homes need a culture shift." Iversen added that in her own home, shoes are not allowed, and that socks are also prohibited due to the risk of slipping on hardwood floors.

Ramaswamy himself addressed the backlash, saying, "This is America, folks. I let the dogs out in my house when I feel like it." His response has been commended by some, who see it as a sign of confidence and independence.

While some conservatives have criticised Ramaswamy's background, others have commended his response to the backlash. One user wrote, "Vivek showed extreme class when Coulter stated flat out because of his race she would not vote for him. He kept the conversation going and never fell into an offended or victim mentality. Well done by him."