WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Friday he wants an “immediate” ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine and warned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to make peace or lose American support.

“That was not a man that wanted to make peace,” Trump said of Zelenskyy, hours after the two had a contentious Oval Office meeting. He added, “I want a ceasefire now.”

Trump said he believes that Russian President Vladimir Putin, who launched the invasion of Ukraine three years ago, is ready for a peace deal.

Zelenskyy urged the U.S. administration to be more skeptical of the Russian leader’s intentions.

This is a breaking news update

AP’s earlier story follows below:

President Donald Trump told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy off for being “disrespectful” Friday in an extraordinary Oval Office meeting, then abruptly called off the signing of a minerals deal with the U.S. that Trump said would have moved Ukraine closer to ending its war with Russia.

The astonishing turn of events could scramble international affairs in Europe and around the globe. During his visit with Trump, Zelenskyy had planned to sign the deal allowing the U.S. greater access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals, then hold a joint news conference.

Instead, Ukraine’s leader left the White House shortly after Trump shouted at him, showing open disdain. Untouched salad plates and other lunch items were being packed up outside the Cabinet room, where the lunch between Trump and Zelenskyy and their delegations was supposed to have taken place.

The White House said the Ukraine delegation was told to leave.

“You’re gambling with World War III, 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 have,” Trump told Zelenskky.

The last 10 minutes of the nearly 45-minute meeting devolved into a tense back and forth between Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Zelenskyy, who had urged skepticism about Russia’s commitment to diplomacy, citing Moscow’s years of broken commitments on the global stage.

Zelenskyy’s main objective going into the sit-down had been to press Trump not to abandon his country and to warn against moving too closely to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Instead he got shouted at while Trump appeared to play up the drama for the cameras.

At one point, Zelenskyy said Putin had broken “his own signature” 25 times on ceasefires and other agreements and could not be trusted. Trump responded that Putin had not broken agreements with him and mostly ducked questions about offering security guarantees to Ukraine, saying he thought the minerals deal — which is now on hold — would effectively end the fighting.

Things first got testy after Vance challenged Zelenskyy, telling him, “Mr. President, with respect, I think it’s disrespectful for you to come to the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the American media.” Zelensky tried to object, prompting Trump to raise his voice and say, “You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people.”

A short time later, Trump posted on his social media site that he had “determined” that Zelenskyy “is not ready for Peace.”

“He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for Peace,” Trump wrote.

Trump also suggested that the heated exchange was productive: “Much was learned that could never be understood without conversation under such fire and pressure. It’s amazing what comes out through emotion.”

Democrats immediately criticized the administration for the breakdown. Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer said Trump and Vance “are doing Putin’s dirty work.”

The testy exchange was especially surprising since it came a day after Trump struck a more conciliatory tone toward Ukraine, calling America’s support for the country against Russia’s invasion “a very worthy thing to do” and disclaiming any memory that he had called the Ukrainian leader a “dictator.”

Trump and Zelenskyy spoke politely, even with admiration, of one another for the first half hour of the meeting. But, when the Ukrainian leader raised alarm about trusting any promises from Putin to end the fighting, Vance offered his strong rebuke for airing disagreements with Trump in public.

That instantly shifted the tenor of the conversation as Zelenskyy grew defensive and Trump and his vice president blasted him as ungrateful and issued stark warnings about future American support.

“It’s going to be a very hard thing to do business like this,” Trump said to Zelenskyy as the two leaders talked over each other about past international support for Ukraine.

Vance then interjected, “Again, just say thank you,” blasting Zelenskyy for litigating “disagreements” in front of the press.

Trump seemed pleased that the scene was being recorded on camera. “I think it’s good for the American people to see what’s going on,” he added.

Trump also suggested that Zelenskyy should not be demanding concessions.

“You’re not in a good position. You don’t have the cards right now,” Trump said, pointing his finger toward Zelenskyy. “With us you start having cards.”

Shortly before the meeting ended, Trump offered, “This is going to be great television.”

Before the blowup, Zelenskyy had been expected to sign a landmark economic agreement with the U.S. aimed at financing the reconstruction of war-damaged Ukraine, a deal that would have closely tied the two countries together for years to come.

As Ukrainian forces hold out against slow but steady advances by Russia’s larger and better-equipped army, leaders in Kyiv were pushing to ensure a potential U.S.-brokered peace plan would include guarantees for the country’s future security.

Many Ukrainians fear that a hastily negotiated peace — especially one that makes too many concessions to Russian demands — would allow Moscow to rearm and consolidate its forces for a future invasion after current hostilities cease.

Trump, a Republican, had framed the emerging agreement as a chance for Kyiv to compensate the U.S. for wartime aid sent under his predecessor, Democratic President Joe Biden. But Zelenskyy has remained firm that specific assurances for Ukraine’s security must accompany any agreement giving U.S. access to Ukraine’s resources.

It was Zelenskyy’s fifth White House visit, but his previous four came during the Biden administration. The Ukrainian president also was meeting with U.S. senators during his time in Washington.

Fears that Trump could broker a peace deal with Russia that is unfavorable to Ukraine have been amplified by recent precedent-busting actions by his administration.

Trump held a lengthy phone call with Putin, and U.S. officials met with their Russian counterparts in Saudi Arabia without inviting European or Ukrainian leaders — both dramatic breaks with previous U.S. policy to isolate Putin over his invasion.

Trump later seemed to falsely blame Ukraine for starting the war and called Zelenskyy a “dictator” for not holding elections after the end of his regular term last year, though Ukrainian law prohibits elections while martial law is in place.

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Spike reported from Kyiv, Ukraine. Associated Press Writer Aaamer Madhani in Washington contributed to this report.

WASHINGTON (Gray DC) -An unprecedented verbal fight in the Oval Office between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

A planned photo-op involving President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelensky in the Oval Office devolved into a verbal confrontation – leaving in doubt any possibility of soon ending Russia’s war with Ukraine.

Just days after the three-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, President Zelensky traveled to Washington to sign a rare minerals deal. But that signing never happened.

Vice President JD Vance called out the Ukrainian president while the television cameras and radio recorders captured it all.

“Mr. President, with respect, I think it’s disrespectful for you to come to the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the American media.”

President Trump and Vice President JD Vance berated Zelensky, and Zelensky fired back.

“First of all, during the war, everybody has problems, even you. But you have no solution and don’t feel now, but you will feel it in the future.”

President Trump was visibly upset, “You don’t know that unless you go to war. Don’t tell us what we’re going to feel. We’re trying to solve a problem. Don’t tell us what we’re going to feel.”

Shortly after the media left the Oval Office, President Trump wrote on social media, “I want PEACE. He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for Peace.”

Within minutes of the meeting Zelensky soon departed in a black SUV the West Wing and issued his own statement on social media, thanking the United States and thanking President Trump.

Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries blamed Trump for the unprecedented Oval Office spat, writing in statement: “President Trump and his administration continue to embarrass America on the world stage.”

Republican South Carolina Senator Lindsay Graham, meanwhile, put the blame squarely on Zelensky.

“I talked to Zelensky 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.”

The combative exchange in the Oval Office has put in doubt any effort to soon end the war in Ukraine. It’s also unclear how much military and political support the Trump administration is prepared to provide to Ukraine in the coming months. Departing for Mar-A-Lago, President Trump demanded an immediate ceasefire, again reiterating that all he wants is peace, but not discussing the hard realities of the path to peace.

WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - After President Donald Trump’s tense meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday, reaction is pouring in from members of Congress and others involved in foreign policy across Washington

Congressional leaders on the left and right both are saying this meeting between the president and Volodymyr Zelenskyy was terrible but they disagree on who’s to blame for the poor outcome.

Friday’s White House meeting between President Trump Vice President Vance and Ukrainian President Zelensky quickly turned confrontational and led to an abrupt Ukrainian departure unlike any White House meeting with a foreign leader.

That led to shock waves across Washington. South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham quickly praised president Trump and admonished Zelenskyy

“I have never been more proud of the president. I was very proud of J.D. 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 Zelensky again.”

Other Republican lawmakers felt similarly like House Speaker Mike Johnson saying in part in a statement: “Thanks to President Trump - the days of America being taken advantage of and disrespected are OVER.”

Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno said, “Finally we have a President who will speak the TRUTH and stand up against Washington’s endless wars.”

Democrats in Congress saw the meeting very differently and admonished President Trump’s handling of it with lawmakers like Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer writing on X, “Trump and Vance are doing Putin’s dirty work. Senate Democrats will never stop fighting for freedom and democracy.”

House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries called the meeting appealing and said the US must not award Russian aggression.

While Virginia Senator Mark Warner wrote that “Trump’s actions today in the Oval are beyond bizarre. Today is a great victory for authoritarians across the globe — Trump is abandoning our allies and embracing our adversaries.”

Foreign policy experts like Anatol Lieven also spoke out after the tense meeting, saying they believe Zelenskyy was unprepared to handle the Trump administration’s approach. Analtol Lieven said, “Zelensky was profoundly foolish. And also, basically un briefed, it seems, on Trump’s attitudes.” While fellow scholar at the Quincy Institute, George Beebe observed, “Oftentimes, the Biden administration acceded to Zelensky’s demands. And I think this conditioned Zelensky to believe that this is a path toward success. You know, like when Washington is doing, you go public with criticism. Washington backs down. I don’t think he realized he was dealing with a fundamentally different cast of characters in Trump.”

Leaving the White House for Florida, President Donald Trump insisted he wants a “immediate ceasefire,” reiterating his demands that all he wants is peace.

Top Democrats, including the ranking member of Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Jean Shaheen, called President Trump’s behavior shocking, ““Today’s behavior by President Trump and Vice President Vance would be more shocking if it wasn’t the new normal that this administration is forcing on our allies, partners and even our own citizens.Russia has not been able to break Ukraine’s spirit nor its will to fight. We are certain President Trump’s childish tantrum will not reach that objective either. Ukrainians have strong bipartisan support for their fight in Congress and Ukrainian flags continue to hang across our communities in the United States. We stand with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and will continue to condemn Putin’s aggression toward the brave and honorable citizenry of Ukraine.”

COTULLA, Tex. (KGNS) - Border Patrol agents stopped a human smuggling attempt after pulling over a truck and finding eight undocumented people inside.

The Laredo Sector reports that three of them were hidden in a secret compartment. Agents shared photos showing where the smugglers tried to hide them.

Everyone was taken into custody for processing. Authorities warn about the dangers of human smuggling and urge the public to report any suspicious activity.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - The Webb County Sheriff’s Office is advising border crossers to limit their visits to Nuevo Laredo for the time being.

This announcement comes following the extradition of two high-ranking cartel members into the United States from Mexico.

On Thursday, February 27, two brothers, Miguel Angel Trevino Morales and Oscar Omar Trevino Morales were among 29 traffickers extradited to the U.S. to face charges for their alleged crimes.

Webb County’s Sheriff, Martin Cuellar, said when he was told about the handover, he thought it best to alert the public of the possibility of cartel members retaliating against the Mexican government and causing dangerous conditions for the public.

He continues to warn border crosses to exercise caution when going to our sister city or other areas of Tamaulipas.

“Our advice is don’t go across unless you have to, and just be careful out there,” Cuellar said. “[We] don’t recommend for them to go at this time to see how the dust is going to settle, or if it’s going to settle or not, so that’s very important. I know people have to work, people have to go and visit, but I would do it with extreme caution.”

Cuellar says his team is well prepared with personnel and technology to protect the border against any potential violence from spilling over into the U.S.

For more information about the men who were extradited, you can click the links placed on their names earlier in the article.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - A mistrial was declared in the assault trial of Daniel Palomo Jr. after jurors could not agree on a verdict on Friday, February 28.

The jury spent nearly nine hours over two days trying to reach a decision. One juror refused to change their mind, leading to a deadlock. By early afternoon, they were still divided. Defense attorney Javier Montemayor later confirmed the mistrial.

Palomo was accused of hitting a man multiple times at a gas station on October 3, 2018. The trial lasted three days, with the alleged victim and two police officers testifying. Prosecutors said Palomo never reported the incident to police, while the defense argued he acted in self-defense.

The case will return to court with a new jury on April 7th. If convicted, Palomo faces up to 20 years in prison.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - Traffic going into Mexico at the World Trade Bridge was stopped Friday morning, February 28, due to power problems on the Mexican side, police said.

Around 10:30 a.m., officers closed the westbound lanes of Loop 20 near Exit 1 and put up barricades. Drivers are asked to be careful and find other routes.

It is not known how long the closure will last. Travelers should check for updates before heading to the bridge.