Disputed Remarks by Scott Bessent on Zelensky’s Visit

A new book detailing the initial year of Donald Trump’s second administration claims that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent made several negative comments about Volodymyr Zelensky before the Ukrainian president’s visit to the White House. Regime Change, co-authored by New York Times reporters Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan, draws on extensive interviews and reporting. This book is scheduled for release on Tuesday, June 23, as noted by Simon & Schuster.

Excerpts featured by The Guardian on Saturday reveal that Bessent allegedly referred to Zelensky using derogatory terms and compared him to fictional characters in disparaging ways. Newsweek reached out to the U.S. Treasury Department and Ukraine’s foreign ministry for comments via email.

Alleged Remarks by Bessent

Bessent purportedly made these comments to associates while expressing concerns about Zelensky’s impending meeting with Trump in the Oval Office, which took place on February 28. During this meeting, tensions flared between the two leaders.

Zelensky traveled to the U.S. capital to discuss a minerals agreement and participate in a joint press conference with Trump. However, discussions quickly devolved into a contentious confrontation between the presidents and Vice President JD Vance. Vance criticized Zelensky for his perceived lack of gratitude towards the U.S. and for his choice of attire.

The confrontation, seen as an unusual public dispute between leaders, cut the meeting short, and the press conference was canceled. Despite the initial fallout, the minerals deal, a key objective of the visit, was cancelled too but was later agreed upon in April, leading to a joint investment fund related to Ukraine’s resource development.

According to the book, Bessent advised Trump to delay inviting Zelensky until he consented to U.S. conditions on mineral resources. Bessent’s comments included calling Zelensky tricky and comparing him negatively to a known European character.

Background on Bessent and Zelensky

Bessent visited Kyiv before the White House meeting to negotiate the minerals agreement. The authors claim this meeting was fraught with tension, with both Bessent and Zelensky exchanging heated words.

The Financial Times earlier covered details of this encounter, and Trump commented at the time on Bessent’s reportedly rude treatment in Kyiv. In an interview, Bessent described the discussions in Kyiv as intense and criticized Zelensky’s actions during the White House meeting as a significant diplomatic error.

Bessent expressed his shock at Zelensky’s behavior in the Oval Office, criticizing him for allegedly disrespecting the American people.