Pool Reports of February 28, 2025

In-town pool report #1

Good morning from the White House,

I'm your in-town pooler today for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's state visit to the White House. Here is the daily guidance the White House released, will advise if there are any changes:

11:00 AM THE PRESIDENT greets the President of Ukraine
Stakeout Location
Open Press

11:05 AM THE PRESIDENT participates in a bilateral meeting with the President of Ukraine
Oval Office
White House Press Pool

11:35 AM THE PRESIDENT participates in a bilateral lunch with the President of Ukraine
Cabinet Room
Closed Press

1:00 PM THE PRESIDENT holds a press conference with the President of Ukraine
East Room
Pre-Credentialed Media
Media Sign Up Here
Media Link closes Friday at 8:00 AM

5:00 PM THE PRESIDENT departs The White House en route Joint Base Andrews
South Lawn
Open Press

5:10 PM THE PRESIDENT arrives Joint Base Andrews
Joint Base Andrews
Out-of-Town Travel Pool

5:20 PM THE PRESIDENT departs Joint Base Andrews en route Palm Beach International Airport
Joint Base Andrews
Out-of-Town Travel Pool

7:25 PM THE PRESIDENT arrives Palm Beach International Airport
Palm Beach International Airport
Out-of-Town Travel Pool

7:35 PM THE PRESIDENT departs Palm Beach International Airport en route Mar-a-Lago
Palm Beach International Airport
Out-of-Town Travel Pool

7:50 PM THE PRESIDENT arrives Mar-a-Lago
Mar-a-Lago
Out-of-Town Travel Pool

In-town pool report #2 - gathering for stakeout

Pool is gathering in rather tight quarters outside the entrance to the West Wing for Zelenskyy’s arrival.

Service members carrying 58 flags — 56 for all states and territories, plus one US and one Ukraine flag — are lining the walkway in front of the White House.

In-town pool report #3: Zelenskyy’s arrival

The president came to the West Wing doors to greet Zelenskyy at 11:22 p.m. He did not answer shouted questions. When asked if the meeting was going to be good, Trump gave thumbs up.

Zelenskyy’s black SUV rolled in and the two presidents greeted each other. They stood briefly at the door before walking in together.

The entrance was flanked by service members carrying the U.S. and the Ukrainian flags.

In-town pool report #4 - entering Oval Office

Pool entered the Oval at 11:32 led by Karoline Leavitt.

I’ll send notes and will Otter at this link if you can follow along (otherwise will be available afterward).
https://otter.ai/u/bhycQUuALmXkxPp8OdJF0M70jMU

Also seated in the office are VP, Rubio and others.

In-town pool report #5 - Trump& Zelenskyy first comments

Trump said a lot of people died on both sides.

Repeated that the war wouldn't have happened if he had been president.

Zelenskyy thanked President for this deal, said he wanted to talk to the US about what they were willing to do. Said he hoped "together, we can stop him" about Putin.

He said Ukraine needs US air defense, best air defense in the world. Even after the war, will need calm.

Zelenskyy brought out Manila folders of pictures to show Trump — pictures of "ladies and men." Didn't want to show pictures of children. Your pooler cannot see the photos.

Zelenskyy: "Even in the war there are rules. … These guys, they don't have rules."

In-town pool report #6 - more from Oval spray

Questions still going.

Trump: "Once we make the agreement that will be 95% of it."

"All they talk about is security. I said let's make a deal first."

Referenced over 2k soldiers who died on both sides.

The American taxpayer has to be protected too.

This is an incredible deal for Ukraine. We have an investment in their country.

Zelenskyy:
This is really important … for the security of the European continent.

Asked if he compared himself to historical figures, Trump joked George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Said he was joking, otherwise fake news media would believe him.

Trump: "Whether they're in Russia or Ukraine think of the parents of these kids being killed."

Reporter asked if Zelenskyy thought U.S. was on his side. Trump said it was a stupid question, otherwise he wouldn't be here. Zelenskyy said US has been on their side the whole time.

Trump said "you can't make any deals without compromises."

In-town pool report #7 - spray continues

Trump said yes, there will be arms to Ukraine. "Hopefully we won't have to send much because I'm looking forward to getting it done quickly."

He would not talk about security guarantees, called determining security "the easy part."
"I feel like I do have an obligation to stop the killing."

Zelenskyy said "there must be security guarantees." That they can't just talk ceasefire.

Zelenskyy said "we will never accept just ceasefire." He said today's document was a good start.

Asked if he is in the middle of Russia and Ukraine on negotiation, Trump said yes.

Asked about Poland, Trump said he is "very committed to Poland." Also said "we're committed to NATO," and added that Europe has to step up.

In-town pool report #8: heated Trump / Vance / Zelenskyy spat

Vance said it was "disrespectful for Zelenskyy to come into the Oval Office, litigating in front of the American media." Then proceeded to say Zelenskyy does publicity tour.

Trump, raising his voice, said to Zelenskyy, "you're not really in good position right now."

"You're gambling with WWIII."

Vance: "have you said thank you once? You went to Pennsylvania to campaign for the opposition."

Trump: "yours running low on soldiers… then you're telling us you don't want a ceasefire."

Zelenskyy trying to respond.

More coming, it's quite lively.

In-town pool report #9: pool left Oval Office

After several minutes of heated debate, Trump said he thought that was enough. Press was ushered out at 12:23.

More notes to come but here’s the Otter:
https://otter.ai/u/bhycQUuALmXkxPp8OdJF0M70jMU

In-town pool report #10: notes from Oval Office

The meeting in the Oval Office lasted 50 minutes. As press was being ushered out, your pooler noticed President Trump reach over and pat Zelenskyy's shoulder.

At one point during the argument, your pooler also overhead White House staff whisper to each other, "This is going to be big."

The conversation turned around 40:00 when Vance said :
"We tried the pathway of Joe Biden, of thumping our chest and pretending that the President of the United States' words mattered more than the President of the United States' actions. What makes America a good country is America engaging in diplomacy? That's what President Trump's doing."

Then Zelenskyy asked if he could ask a question, and started talking about Putin's invasion of Crimea.

Vance: "I think it's disrespectful for you to come to the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the American media. ... you should be thanking the president for trying to bring you into this conference."

Zelenskyy asked: "Have you ever been to Ukraine? Have you seen the problems we have? Come once."

Vance: I've actually watched and seen the stories, and I know what happens is you bring people. You bring them on a propaganda tour, Mr. President, are Do you disagree that you've had problems bringing people in your military, and do you think that it's respectful to come to the Oval Office of the United States of America, and attack the administration is trying to prevent the destruction of your country?"

Zelenskyy tried to slow it down. "Everybody has problems, even you. But you have nice ocean and don't feel now. BUt you will feel it in the future.

Trump: "You don't know that. Don't tell us what we're going to feel. We're trying to solve a problem."

Then he, Zelenskyy and Vance started talking over each other.

Trump: "We're going to feel very good and very strong. You're right now not in a very good position. You've allowed to be in a very bad position."

Trump: "You're gambling with the lives of millions of people. You're gambling with World War Three. You're gambling with World War Three, and what you're doing is very disrespectful to the country, this country that's backed you far more than a lot of people say they should."

Vance: "Have you said thank you once in this entire meeting?"
Zelenskyy: "A lot of times."
Talking over each other.

Zelenskyy, to Vance, started: "You think that if you will speak very loudly--"
Trump interrupted: "He's not speaking loudly. Your country is in big trouble. Wait a minute, no, no, you've done a lot of talking. Your country is in big trouble."
Zelenskyy: "I know"
Trump: "You're not winning. You're not winning this. You have a damn good chance of coming out okay, because of us."

Also from Trump: "You have to be thankful you don't have the cards. You're buried there. You people are dying. You're running low on soldiers. Listen, you're running low on soldiers."
At this point, Trump had become fairly red in the face.

Press was standing back as this exchange was transpiring. Reporter asked one last question, "What if Russia breaks the ceasefire?"

Trump responded: "What if anything? What if a bomb drops on your head right now? Ok... I don't know. They broke it with Biden, because Biden, they didn't respect him. They didn't respect Obama. They respect me. Let me tell you, Putin went through a hell of a lot with me. He went through a phony witch hunt where they used him and Russia, Russia, Russia."

"I think we've seen enough."

In-town pool report #11: schedule delays

Obviously we are a bit behind on schedule. WH comms called for a preset for the scheduled press conference with the two presidents, but unclear if the press conference is still on. Will update if we are given more guidance.

In-town #12: press gathering on driveway

Press rushed at 1:22p.m. to gather outside the West Wing, where Zelenskyy’s black SUV is parked. We hear reports he is leaving.

Trump’s post on Truth Social, thanks to Phil Wegmann :

In-town pool report #13: Zelenskyy leaving

Pool spotted Zelenskyy leaving from the West Wing at 1:40 p.m.

He entered the SUV and did not take shouted questions from the press.

SUV rolled out at 1:42p.m.

In-town pool report #14: tbd on presser, mineral deal

WH comms did not have an answer on whether the president would still give a press conference this afternoon, but said it seemed unlikely given his travel later today to Florida.

As for whether the mineral deal was still on the table, pool was referred to Trump's Truth Social post.

In-town pool #15: deal not signed

Confirming on background from a WH spokesperson that the mineral deal was not signed.

In-town pool report #16 - Sen. Graham to gaggle

WH announced at 2:30p.m. that Sen. Lindsey Graham will gaggle at the sticks in 5 minutes. Press is gathering.

In-town pool report #17 - Graham gaggle on Zelenskyy

Graham gaggled for a few minutes. Otter here.

Highlights:
"I talked to Zelenskyy this morning -- don't take the bait. President Trump was in a very good mood last night."

"Somebody asked me, am I embarrassed about Trump? I have never been more proud of the President. I was very proud of JD Vance standing up for our country. We want to be helpful. What I saw in the Oval Office was disrespectful, and I don't know if we can ever do business with Zelenskyy again. I think most Americans saw a guy that they would not want to go in business with. The way he handled the meeting, the way he confronted the president, was just over the top.

"I think the relationship between Ukraine and America is important, vitally important. But can Zelenskyy do a deal with the United States? After what I saw, I don't know."

"He was terrible at Munich -- Zelenskyy -- and I think he has made it almost impossible to sell to the American people that he's a good investment."

Does Zelenskyy need to resign? "He either needs to resign and send somebody over that we can do business with, or he needs to change."

In-town pool report #18: pool gathering

Pool is gathering on the south lawn for president’s departure.

In-town pool report #19: president departure

Marine One landed on the South Lawn at approximately 5 p.m.

Door to the White House opened at 5:09 pm. Trump emerged wearing a red MAGA hat. He came to talk to press for 8 mins, details to come.

Your pooler did not see the moment he boarded Marine One, but it was approximately 5:17 pm. He walked up the stairs, had an exchange with the pilot as he entered the plane, thanks to Geoff Earle, Daily Mail.

Lutnik and Dan Scavino spotted entering the plane too.

Marine One took off at 5:22 p.m.

In-town pool report #20

Trump's comments from gaggle on his meeting with Zelenskyy:

"I would say it didn't work out exactly great from his standpoint. He very much overplayed his hand. We're looking for peace."

"I'm looking for peace. We're not looking to go into a 10-year war and play games. We want peace."

"He's looking for something that I'm not looking for. He's looking to go on and fight, fight, fight. We're looking to end the death."

"Somebody would say why do you care about the Ukrainian and Russian soldiers? I care about them. I care about everybody."

"He's dealing with a very weak set of cards."

"He's gotta say I want to make peace. He doesn't have to stand there and say Putin this, Putin that, all negative things. … I don't want to fight a war any longer."

Asked if Trump asked Zelenskyy to leave the White House, Trump said, "I don't have to tell you that."

Asked whether he trusts Putin or Zelenksyy more, Trump said, "I don't trust or distrust anybody, I just want to get the deal done."

"We're not going to keep fighting. We're going to get the war done or let them go and see what happens."

Asked if he wants Zelenskyy gone, "I want anybody that's going to make peace. If he's capable of making peace, which he may or may not be, but I want somebody who's going to make peace. Again, he doesn't have the cards. When we signed up, he's got all of the cards. That doesn't mean he can fight. He's got to stop the fighting, stop the death."

Pooler didn't hear the question, but I believe someone asked about further talks with Zelenskyy, and Trump responded, "He said he wants to come back right now, but I can't do that."

"Ceasefire could take place immediately … but he doesn't want to do that, that's fine."

"I want a ceasefire now. He says, 'oh, I don't want a ceasefire.' Well all of a sudden he's a bigshot because he has the U.S. on his side. Either we're going to end it or let him fight it out, and if he fights it out, it's not going to be pretty. Because without us, he doesn't win."

---

Less notable comments Trump made at the beginning of the gaggle:

Trump said he is going to FL for a big MAGA event tomorrow night.

Mentioned Apple is investing $500 billion. "That's going to be a tremendous investment."

"The country is really doing well. We're respected again all over the world." Mentions prime ministers from Japan, UK, India. Others who want to come.

Foreign pool report #1 - Background on Zelenskyy's visit

Good morning,
I'm your foreign pooler for President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit to the White House.
The Ukrainian President is scheduled to arrive at the South Portico at 11:00 AM. The leaders will hold a meeting in the Oval Office at 11:05 AM, followed by a working lunch at 11:35 AM and a joint press conference at 1:00 PM.
Zelenskyy arrived in Washington, DC yesterday. He is staying in a nearby hotel, where he met with U.S. Senators. Following his visit to the White House Zelenskyy will deliver remarks at the Hudson Institute at 4:00 PM and is expected to meet with Ukrainian community in the U.S. later this evening.
This marks President Zelenskyy's fifth visit to the White House, with the previous four taking place during President Biden's administration.
President Trump and President Zelenskyy are expected to sign a mineral resources deal. On February 26, Ukraine's Cabinet of Ministers approved the decision to sign the agreement, as confirmed by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal. The signing will take place at the beginning of the press conference.
Before his trip to Washington Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine needs to know first where the United States stands on its continued military support. "It is important for me and all of us in the world that America's assistance is not stopped" – he said. Zelenskyy added that the mineral agreement may be part of future security guarantees, but he wants to understand the broader vision: what awaits Ukraine?

Zelenskyy's visits to the White House:
September 1, 2021
December 21, 2022
September 22, 2023
December 11-12, 2023

Zelenskyy's Engagements with Trump:
September 25, 2019: Zelenskyy met Trump at the UN General Assembly in New York, following the controversial "do us a favor" call that led to Trump's first impeachment.
September 27, 2024: The two met amid tensions over Ukraine's defense and the U.S. election. Trump told Fox News that they both wanted a "fair deal" to end the conflict.
December 7, 2024: In Paris, Zelenskyy, Trump, and President Macron discussed peace, security guarantees for Ukraine, and preventing future aggression.
February 12, 2025: Trump and Zelenskyy spoke by phone about ending Russian aggression, following Trump's call with President Putin.
Additional Note: Former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko met with President Trump in the Oval Office in June 2017.

Rare Earth Mineral Deal:
The United States and Ukraine are set to sign a bilateral agreement to establish a Reconstruction Investment Fund, aimed at rebuilding Ukraine and ensuring long-term economic stability. The Fund will be jointly owned and managed. According to reports in Ukrainian and U.S. media, key provisions include:
Funding Sources: Ukraine will contribute 50% of future revenues from government-owned natural resources (oil, gas, minerals, infrastructure), while the U.S. will provide long-term financial support.
Investment Strategy: The Fund will finance reconstruction projects and attract further investments to develop Ukrainian assets, ensuring economic growth and security.
Next Steps: Working groups from the U.S. Treasury and Ukraine's Finance and Economy Ministries will finalize the Fund Agreement, which will require ratification by Ukraine's Parliament.
Note: The agreement does not include Trump's initial demand for Ukraine to contribute $500 billion to the Fund and does not include specific U.S. security guarantees.

China's Playbook:
The U.S. appears to be adopting a strategy similar to China's, exemplified by the 2007 Sicomines agreement with Congo. In this deal, China secured mining rights to $93 billion worth of cobalt and copper in exchange for $3 billion in infrastructure investment. While the deal provided much-needed capital at the time, the Democratic Republic of the Congo later found itself dissatisfied and is now reevaluating the agreement to ensure greater national benefit. (Source: Assessing the Viability of a U.S.-Ukraine Minerals Deal)

Ukraine's Rare Earth Minerals:
Experts from the Atlantic Council note that Ukraine holds significant reserves of titanium, graphite, and lithium—key resources for U.S. defense and high-tech industries. However, accessing these minerals depends on the war's outcome, as many reserves are in eastern Ukraine, where fighting continues. There are also strategic challenges related to outdated mineral maps and refining infrastructure. Even after extraction, China's dominance in mineral refining presents obstacles. The U.S. currently lacks the necessary refining infrastructure in Europe or North America, making it essential to build such facilities to prevent these minerals from flowing to Beijing.
(Source: Digging into the US-Ukraine minerals deal - Atlantic Council)

U.S. Assistance to Ukraine:
As of December 2024, the U.S. Congress has allocated $183 billion for the U.S. response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with $39.58 billion remaining available for obligation, according to the Special Inspector General's report to Congress. Not all appropriated funds have been spent or sent to Ukraine, as nearly $50 billion has been used to support U.S. military operations in Europe and enhance NATO readiness.
As of December 2024, U.S. commitments to Ukraine exceed $100 billion, including:
$63 billion in security assistance
Over $30 billion in direct budget support
More than $4 billion in humanitarian aid
$5 billion in development assistance for Ukraine's energy, agriculture, and other sectors
At the end of 2024, the United States disbursed a $20 billion loan to the World Bank for Ukraine as part of a $50 billion loan package, to be repaid with future proceeds from immobilized Russian sovereign assets.
Since February 2022, EU members and institutions, along with NATO allies (excluding the U.S.), have committed at least $194 billion in assistance to Ukraine, including support for Ukrainian refugees in Europe.

Foreign pool report #3 - Oval Office

As you know the meeting in the Oval Office, that lasted almost 50 minutes, went of the rails. Here is the otter link as it’s impossible for me now to send Zelenskyy’s trascript.

Note
otter.ai

After the shouting match in the Oval Office Ukrainian journalist were talking about Zelenskyy possibly leaving the White House. But as of now the black limousine with U.S. and Ukrainian flag is still parked by the West Wing.

Foreign pool report #4 - Zelenskyy possibly leaving

The black SUV with U.S. and Ukrainian flags has just pulled up to the West Wing door suggesting that Zelenskyy may be leaving soon.

Foreign pool note #5 - Zelensky's outfit

As we are awaiting Zelenskyy's departure some details on his outfit:

Since the beginning of the Russian invasion President Zelenskyy does not wear a suit. He usually wears an olive green military style pants and sweater.

Today he wore a more formal black outfit with a national symbol of Ukraine:
the Trident.

The trident, or "tryzub," remains one of Ukraine's most iconic symbols. Shaped like a spear with three prongs, its history goes back centuries. Volodymyr the Great, one of Ukraine's most revered figures, included the symbol on coins when he ruled Kyiv from 980 to 1015.

During the 1917-1921 Ukrainian War of Independence, Ukraine used the trident as the nation's coat of arms.

When Ukraine voted for independence in 1991, the country made the trident the coat of arms.

Earlier this month, Ukraine added the symbol to the Motherland monument in Kyiv, replacing a Soviet hammer and sickle. The government also plans to rename the statue "Mother Ukraine." - per U.S. embassy in Montenegro

Foreign pool report #6 - Zelenskyy left

President Zelensky left the West Wing at 2:40PM followed by his delegation.

The SUV and the bus left the WH grounds at 2:42PM.

Foreign pool report #7 - agreement not signed

The minerals agreement between the U.S. and Ukraine has not been signed, per WH spokesperson.

Travel pool #1: Marine One lands and newsy statement

Reception is spotty here, apologies for any delays.

Marine One landed at 5:29.

It taxied around and POTUS exited at 5:34 He pointed to the press but did not engage before entering the plane at 5:35. He did not respond to a shouted question about whether Zelenskyy should resign, though it was very loud with the engines.

We received this statement from Steven Cheung.

"The FBl is giving the President his property back that was taken during the unlawful and illegal raids. We are taking possession of the boxes today and loading them onto Air Force One." - Steven Cheung, communications director

Boxes were loaded onto the plane ahead of takeoff.

Taxiing now. The TVs are on Fox News.

Note the Associated Press is not with us on this trip, there is no WHCA seat, and our "new media" outlets are the Daily Wire and Real America's Voice.