Diplomacy or Drama? The Oval Office Meeting That SNL Couldn't Make It Up

By Cristina I. Labrador Carballo

President Donald Trump, right, and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky meet in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, February 28.Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images

The 24th of February of 2022, Russia commenced its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Since that moment Ukraine has lost tens of thousands of its citizens, has had its entire nation’s infrastructure shattered, and has dealt with tremendous displacement. Despite everything, the country remains defiant and resolute. During this time, Ukraine was able to receive continuous support from the United States, with up to $66.5 billion provided in military assistance, in the form of finances and military equipment. This has further enabled Ukraine to withstand the brutal attacks and defend the fundamental principles of democracy and international sovereignty.

The invasion has had severe consequences for the citizens and economy of Ukraine, and has strained the nation’s healthcare system beyond its limits. Citizens have been able to channel the sheer amount of pain they were in towards energy and unity. This is a nation in the present which is feeling a tremendous amount of pride alongside desperation, as they are in one of the darkest periods of their modern history.

President Volodymyr Zelensky is the one who is leading this nation, guiding the people through this turmoil. His commitment, and ability to garner attention and support has gained him admiration across the globe.

In addition to diligently representing his nation on the international front, he has been in Ukraine from the start of the invasion, frequently visiting soldiers on the front lines while donning military attire. In addition to demonstrating his dedication and patriotism, this also demonstrates his compassion and unity with both the military and citizens. His leadership style has struck a profound chord with people in Ukraine and around the world.

The meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump on February 28, 2025, was initially billed as yet another diplomatic meeting focused on peace negotiations and ensuring that the U.S. continues to provide support to Ukraine. It, however, quickly devolved into a highly dubious argument. President Trump, along with Vice President J.D. Vance, took turns lambasting President Zelensky, reprimanding him for wanting a settlement without providing any terms and suggesting how serious of a prospect he truly was. And, as it became increasingly evident, no further discussion occurred regarding formal conclusions, and indeed they included the expected Ukraine–United States Mineral Resources Agreement.

Even before the conversation began, tensions were evident. President Zelensky arrived at the White House in his now-iconic military-style clothing — a visible symbol of unity with his troops and his country’s ongoing struggle. White House officials had requested he wear a formal suit, a request he refused, stating he would do so when “the war is over.” Trump mocked him by sarcastically welcoming him by saying, “All dressed up today,” which was clearly a dig at his clothing. Pro-Trump journalist Brian Glenn later on described Zelenskyy’s look as “disgraceful,” poking fun at the fact that he should’ve tried much harder for the occasion. In an attempt to downplay the newly formed awkwardness, Trump said, “I think he looks beautifully dressed,” which did nothing to change the mood in the room, which had already shifted to worse.

Things took a turn when Vice President Vance started the meeting off with discrediting Zelensky and banging the table while commanding him to appreciate more American help. Trump made it worse when he tried to prove a point by saying Ukraine was in dire conditions and would have completely collapsed had it not been for U.S. support. It was heartwarming to see the strength spanning across most citizens of Ukraine, like Zelensky, who, in the most chaotic of situations like these, was polite and composed while thanking Americans, but had to cut his meetings short. With Trump becoming more rude and impatient, and the atmosphere feeling increasingly out of control, the two decided that meeting together at a press conference would not be possible, and so it was canceled.

The public nature of the confrontation drew sharp criticism both domestically and internationally. European allies expressed shock at how President Zelensky was treated, while also reiterating their support for Ukraine and criticizing the U.S. administration’s methods. On the other side, Russian officials had a field day and attacked Zelenskyy. Within the U.S., responses were mixed on party lines. Lots of Republican leaders were grateful to President Trump and endorsed his foreign aid policy. On the other hand, Democratic leaders took issue with his approach, fearing that it would further weaken an ally while encouraging Russia to be more aggressive.

Some political analysts and insiders have claimed that what happened during the public meeting between Presidents Trump and Zelensky was not an isolated incident, but rather a reflection of how many of Trump’s private diplomatic meetings are typically conducted — filled with tension, personal jabs, and a lack of formal protocol. According to sources close to the administration, similar displays of unfiltered behavior have occurred in closed-door conversations, raising concerns about the consistency and professionalism of U.S. diplomatic conduct.

In the course of the meet, Trump is stated to have spoken of President Zelensky of Ukraine in a rather unflattering manner, calling him a “dictator” owing to his decision of putting a halt on presidential elections in Ukraine on account of the virtue of martial law. However, critics were quick to point out the irony in Trump defending Vladimir Putin — a leader known for authoritarian practices and suppressing opposition — while attacking Zelensky, who is leading a nation under siege. This contrast sparked outrage among supporters of Ukraine, many of whom felt that such comments undermined the moral clarity of the U.S. position in the war.

As a result, satire swiftly arose over the entire situation, from the criticism of the attire to the sudden firing. An imitation of the conference, presented as a comedy, was shown on Saturday Night Live, and many viewers observed that it was hardly a satire at all, with some describing it as “uncomfortably close to truth.” Both the general people and foreign observers were offended by the disproportionate derision of American leadership at such a delicate time for a war-torn country.

Discussions over the status of American diplomacy and how it is portrayed in the media were spurred by the SNL skit. Discussions over the status of American diplomacy and how it is portrayed in the media were spurred by the SNL skit. While some viewers saw the comic as an exaggerated illustration, others thought it accurately reflected the administration's foreign policy stance. In any case, the imitation highlighted the meeting's international attention and its consequences for U.S.–Ukraine ties.