Scott Bessent Used Derogatory Language Toward Volodymyr Zelensky

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent used derogatory language to describe Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during the negotiation of a rare earth minerals deal, according to the book Regime Change by Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan. Bessent reportedly referred to Zelensky as a special-needs child for the Europeans and claimed he acted like Mr. Bean on crack.

These tensions began during a trip to Kyiv, where Bessent and Zelensky engaged in a heated 45-minute argument. The friction peaked during a February 28, 2025, meeting in the Oval Office with President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance. During the encounter, Trump and Vance criticized Zelensky's attire and perceived lack of gratitude for U.S. aid, while Zelensky criticized U.S. efforts to mediate a settlement with Moscow. The meeting ended with the cancellation of a planned press conference and Zelensky being asked to leave the White House.

Bessent allegedly urged Trump to block Zelensky's entry to the White House until Ukraine agreed to U.S. terms regarding the minerals deal. Despite the diplomatic clash, the deal was eventually signed two months later. Following the events, Bessent publicly described Zelensky's behavior as a diplomatic own goal and accused him of disrespecting the American people. Separately, Zelensky has requested additional air defense missiles from the U.S. and warned Belarus to dismantle Russian-linked surveillance systems on the border.