A FIT OF PIQUE: President Donald Trump’s ire over the failure of Volodymyr Zelensky to immediately accept his offer to partner with Ukraine in developing and marketing the country’s mineral wealth, including rare earth elements, explains in part why Trump continues his increasingly vituperative war of words with the Ukrainian president. 

At least that’s how national security adviser Mike Waltz framed it at a White House briefing Thursday. “Our own Secretary of Treasury personally made the trip to offer the Ukrainians what can only be described as a historic opportunity, that is for America to co-invest with Ukraine in their minerals, in their resources, to truly grow the pie.”

“President Trump is obviously very frustrated right now with President Zelensky. The fact that he hasn’t come to the table, that he hasn’t been willing to take this opportunity that we have offered,” Waltz said at one point calling Trump, “the deal-maker in chief.” 

“He needs to come back to the table, and we’re going to continue to have discussions about where that deal is going,” insisting Ukraine needs to “pay back” the billions of dollars the U.S. has provided in military and economic assistance since Russia invaded Ukraine exactly three years ago. “We have an obligation to the taxpayer.”

“His frustration with President Zelensky … is multi-fold,” Waltz said. “There needs to be a deep appreciation for what the American people, what the American taxpayer, what President Trump did in his first term, and what we’ve done since. So some of the rhetoric coming out of Kyiv, frankly, and insults to President Trump, were unacceptable.”

‘FRUSTRATED’ WHITE HOUSE URGES UKRAINE TO ‘TONE IT DOWN’ ON CRITICISM OF TRUMP

TRUMP: ‘I’M GOING TO RESURRECT IT, OR THINGS ARE NOT GOING TO MAKE HIM TOO HAPPY’: Speaking to reporters on Air Force One, Trump continued his tactic of describing events in a way that, to put it politely, are at variance with the demonstrable facts. Trump insisted that he already had a deal which “they agreed to, more or less,” and that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was dissed when he traveled to Kyiv last week to seal the deal.

“Scott Bessent actually went there and was treated rather rudely, because — essentially, they told him no, and Zelensky was sleeping and unavailable to meet him. He traveled many hours on the train, which is a dangerous trip,” Trump said. “And when he got there, he came back empty. They wouldn’t sign the document.”

In fact, Zelensky met with Bessent for almost an hour on Feb. 12, as pictures posted on his presidential website confirmed. Zelensky did not sign the deal but promised to “review this document and do our best to ensure that our teams reach agreement very quickly.”

“We are eager to do so because the United States is our strategic partner,” Zelensky said after the meeting. Trump is miffed because he said European aid is mainly in the form of loans, albeit under generator terms that allow the money to be paid back from interest earned on frozen Russian assets.

“But for Europe, they pay back their money. It’s a loan. Think of that. And we should’ve had a loan, too, but we had an administration that was incompetent,” Trump said. “I think I’m going to resurrect it, or, you know, we’ll see what happens. But I’m going to resurrect it, or things are not going to make him too happy.”

WALTZ SIDESTEPS QUESTIONS ON TRUMP’S VIEWS OF PUTIN AND HIS ROLE IN THE WAR

STRONG-ARM TACTICS: In a story published yesterday, the Wall Street Journal cited an unnamed U.S. Republican lawmaker who met with Zelensky on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference last week and described strong-arm tactics that, according to Zelensky, were employed to get his quick approval before he could examine the document in detail. 

“Bessent pushed the paper across the table, demanding that Zelensky sign it, the Ukrainian president told the lawmaker. Zelensky took a quick look and said he would discuss it with his team,” according to the account. “Bessent then pushed the paper closer to Zelensky. ‘You really need to sign this,’ the treasury secretary reportedly said. Zelensky said he was told ‘people back in Washington’ would be very upset if he didn’t.’

“It’s not in our interests today. Not in the interest of sovereign Ukraine,” Zelensky said earlier this week. “I am just the president, a manager, and after my tour there will be another manager, and these resources are not mine.”

“The first offer of the deal was colonial. No Ukrainian president would sign it,” Tymofiy Mylovanov, president of the Kyiv School of Economics and a former economy minister, said on X.

Both sides are said to be drafting a revised deal that Ukraine says must include security guarantees. After meeting in Kyiv yesterday with retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, a planned news conference was canceled, but Zelensky posted on X: “My meeting with General Kellogg was one that restores hope, and we need strong agreements with the U.S. — agreements that will truly work. I have instructed my team to work quickly and very sensibly.”

IN EXCHANGE FOR PEACE, TRUMP AND PUTIN DEMAND A PIECE OF UKRAINE

Good Friday morning and welcome to Jamie McIntyre’s Daily on Defense, written and compiled by Washington Examiner National Security Senior Writer Jamie McIntyre (@jamiejmcintyre) and edited by Christopher Tremoglie. Email here with tips, suggestions, calendar items, and anything else. Sign up or read current and back issues at DailyonDefense.com. If signing up doesn’t work, shoot us an email, and we’ll add you to our list. And be sure to follow me on Threads and/or on X @jamiejmcintyre.

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HAPPENING TODAY: PENTAGON FIRINGS EXPECTED: Rumors are flying fast and furious that today could begin a mass purge at the Pentagon, including some top generals and even possibly the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Bloomberg Government is reporting this morning that roughly 55,000 civilian probationary employees across the Defense Department are at risk of losing their jobs, citing Pentagon communications with Congress. 

“It’s unclear how many would receive exemptions, and lawmakers have requested additional data on the employees, according to one of the people, all of whom spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the private communications,” Tony Capaccio, one of two Bloomberg reporters bylined on the story, posted on X this morning.

Separately, there have been rumblings all week that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is close to deciding which generals and top military officers should be fired for being too closely associated with Biden administration policies, including diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. 

NBC News and then ABC News reported Wednesday that a list of generals and senior officers who could be fired or removed has been circulated on Capitol Hill. CNN reported yesterday, citing unnamed sources, that the list includes Gen. Charles Q Brown, Jr., the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. 

Before Trump nominated him to head the Pentagon, Hegseth railed against Brown on the Shawn Ryan Show podcast. “First of all, you’ve got to fire the chairman of the Joint Chiefs,” he said. “But any general that was involved – general, admiral, whatever – that was involved in any of the DEI woke s— has got to go.”

“The list also includes the current Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti, the first woman to serve in the role,” CNN’s Natasha Bertrand and Haley Britzky reported. “If naval operations suffer, at least we can hold our heads high. Because at least we have another first! The first female member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff — hooray,” Hegseth wrote in his 2024 book, The War on Warriors.

HEGSETH: DON’T BELIEVE THE ‘LEGACY’ MEDIA: In an eight-minute, straight-to-camera video statement recorded in his third-floor Pentagon office last night, Hegseth derided the so-called “legacy media,” for “clickbait headlines,” and an agenda that “distorts good news stories or often just gets them flat wrong.” The reporters who cover the Pentagon, Hegseth complained, are “lazy” and “don’t take time to actually understand the facts.” 

“I encourage you to take that media, those negative reports about important decisions that we’re making about the department, with a gigantic grain of salt,” he said.

Hegseth defended the role of DOGE, the “Department of Government Efficiency,” in rooting out “poor performers” at the Pentagon and identifying “fraud, waste, and abuse in the largest discretionary budget in the federal government.”

“Ever since I’ve taken this position, the only thing I’ve cared about is doing right by our service members — soldiers, sailors, Marines, airmen and guardians,” Hegseth said.” In short, we want the biggest, most badass military on the planet.” 

Hegseth said the firings will follow a “top to bottom” review. “We’re starting with the poor performers among our probationary employees because it’s common sense that you want the best and brightest.”

“With DOGE, we are focusing as much as we can on headquarters and fat and top-line stuff that allows us to reinvest elsewhere,” Hegseth said. “This revaluation of probationary employees is being done across the government, not just at the defense department,” he added. “Bottom line, it’s simply not in the public interest to retain individuals whose contributions are not mission critical.”

“So, when you look at headcount, we’re going to be thoughtful; but we’re also going to be aggressive up and down the chain to find the places where we can ensure the best and brightest are promoted based on merit,” Hegseth said. “Our warfighters and taxpayers deserve no less, and we’ll keep reporting back to you from time to time on what we’re seeing.”

HEGSETH DENIES PENTAGON LAUNCHING SPENDING CUTS IN SHARP REBUKE OF BIDEN DOD

VOTE-A-RAMA WRAPS UP: Just before 5 a.m. on Friday, the Senate wrapped debate on a budget resolution that will allow Republicans to finalize an appropriations bill later this year through a process known as “reconciliation” which will allow them to set spending levels without any votes from Democrats.

Senators voted 52-48 along party lines to pass the resolution after a marathon 10-hour overnight voting session, with Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) the lone Republican vote against.

The resolution, authored by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), would add up to $175 billion to secure the border, and $150 billion in increased defense spending. It will be up to committees to decide how that money would be allocated.

Graham said his resolution would serve as a “Plan B” if the House cannot produce President Trump’s preferred option, “one big beautiful bill” that would enact all his desired initiatives, including extending a major tax cut for high-income earners.

“To my House colleagues: I prefer one big beautiful bill that makes the tax cuts permanent, that does the things we need to do on the border and with our military and cuts spending,” Graham said. “I wish you all the best. I prefer what you’re doing to what we’re doing. But we have to have a Plan B if you can’t get it done soon.”

SENATE APPROVES TRUMP BUDGET PLAN AFTER HOURS-LONG VOTING MARATHON

THE RUNDOWN:

Washington Examiner: In exchange for peace, Trump and Putin demand a piece of Ukraine

Washington Examiner: Waltz sidesteps questions on Trump’s views of Putin and his role in the war

Washington Examiner: ‘Frustrated’ White House urges Ukraine to ‘tone it down’ on criticism of Trump

Washington Examiner: Pentagon seeking $50B of cuts to Biden programs to promote Trump priorities

Washington Examiner: Republicans split with Trump on ‘dictator’ Zelensky: ‘Putin is evil, and he has to be stopped’

Washington Examiner: Trump’s ban on federal spending for illegal immigrants could affect billions of payouts

Washington Examiner: Rubio names eight Latin cartels as terrorist organizations

Washington Examiner: Hegseth denies Pentagon launching spending cuts in sharp rebuke of Biden DOD

Washington Examiner: Watchdog pushes for investigation of ex-Gen. Milley’s Jan. 6 planning

Washington Examiner: Democrats use Senate ‘vote-a-rama’ to target Elon Musk

Washington Examiner: CPAC relishes in Trump’s power amid push for unconstitutional third term

Defense One: As Defense Department Preps for Mass Firings, Hegseth Says a Hiring Freeze and More Firings Are Coming

Politico: China Says It Backs New US and Russian ‘Consensus’ on Ukraine War

Wall Street Journal: Xi Is Trying to Secure the Devotion of China’s Military

Breaking Defense: DOD Reviewing ‘Non-Essential’ Consultancy Contracts for Termination

Air & Space Forces Magazine: Irked By Boeing, Trump Eyes ‘Alternatives’ for New Air Force One

Inside Defense: Lockheed CEO: F-35 Still ‘Essential’ Despite Promises of Unmanned Warfare

Breaking Defense: Trump Administration Weighing C-UAS Role in Iron Dome for America, Two-Star General Explains

The War Zone: New Hypersonic Strike-Recon Aircraft Effort Eyeing Prototype Development by 2030

Defense News: L3Harris Breaks Ground on Solid Rocket Motor Production Expansion

Air & Space Forces Magazine: Pratt Gets $1.5B to Sustain F-22 Engine—and Is Working on Upgrades

Defense One: Pentagon May Break Up Tech Offices in Acquisition Policy Shift

DefenseScoop: CYBERCOM Wants More Consistent Readiness Approach Across the Services

Air & Space Forces Magazine: Two B-1 Bombers Fly with South Korea as Leaders Tout Value of Advanced Training

Air & Space Forces Magazine: Advanced Fighter Engines Pass Design Review. Now Comes Fabrication Stage

THE CALENDAR: 

FRIDAY | FEBRUARY 21

8 a.m. 201 Waterfront St. Oxon Hill, Maryland — American Conservative Union 2025 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) with the theme “Protecting America Now,” with:

• 9:55 a.m. National security adviser Michael Waltz 
• 10:10 a.m. Businessman Mike Lindell 
• 10:55 a.m. Karl Lake, 2024 Republican nominee for U.S. Senate from Arizona
• 11:55 a.m. Kimberly Fletcher, president and founder of Moms for America and Moms for America Action
• 12:05 p.m. Former U.S. Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund and Julie Kelly, political commentator 
• 1:20 p.m. Special Presidential Envoy for Special Missions Richard Grenell 
• 1:40 p.m. Sen. Tim Sheehy (R-MT) 
• 2:30 p.m. Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R-AK) 
• 2:50 p.m. Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose 
• 3:15 p.m. Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) 
• 3:30 p.m. HUD Secretary Soctt Turner 
• 3:35 p.m. Prime Minister of North Macedonia Hristijan Mickoski 
• 4:20 p.m. Veteran Affairs Secretary Doug Collins 
• 4:35 p.m. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico 
• 5:10 p.m. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt 
• 7:30 p.m. Ronald Reagan Dinner with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem

Livestream: https://www.cpac.org/us/plus-cpaclive Agenda: https://site.m.cpac.org/cpac-in-dc-2025/agenda

8:30 a.m. — Henry L. Stimson Center virtual discussion: “Trump and Ishiba Meet for the First Time – What Comes Next?” with former Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Lincoln Bloomfield; chairman emeritus, Stimson Center’s Board of Directors; Kunihiko Miyake, director and special adviser, Canon Institute for Global Studies; and Yuki Tatsumi, senior fellow and co-director of Stimson’s East Asia Program and director of Stimson’s Japan Program https://www.stimson.org/event/trump-and-ishiba-meet-for-the-first-time-what-comes-next/

12 p.m. 1957 E St. NW — George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs discussion: “What Drives Russians to Support the War?” with Natalia Savelyeva (Researcher at the Public Sociology Laboratory and lecturer at the University of Wisconsin-Madison; and Ivan Grek, director of George Washington University Institute for European (Russian and European Studies Russia Program https://calendar.gwu.edu/event/what-drives-russians-to-support-the-war

2 p.m. — Defense Priorities virtual discussion: “Syria After Assad: Prospects for U.S. Withdrawal,” with Rosemary Kelanic, director, Middle East Program, Defense Priorities; Dana Stroul, director of research and Shelly and Michael Kassen Senior Fellow, Washington Institute for Near East Policy; Steven Simon, visiting professor of practice, University of Washington; and Daniel DePetris, fellow, Defense Priorities https://www.defensepriorities.org/events/syria-after-assad

TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 25

10 a.m. 2247 Rayburn — House Oversight and Government Reform Military and Foreign Affairs Subcommittee hearing: “Emerging Global Threats: Putting America’s National Security First,” with testimony from Meaghan Mobbs, director, Center for the American Safety and Security’s Independent Women’s Forum; Brent Sadler, senior research fellow for naval warfare and advanced technology, Heritage Foundation; and Jacob Olidort, senior policy adviser, Center for American Security America First Policy Institute http://oversight.house.gov

10 a.m. 2128 Rayburn — House Financial Services Committee hearing: “Examining Policies to Counter China’ http://financialservices.house.gov

2 p.m. 2172 Rayburn — House Foreign Affairs East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee hearing: “Missed Milestones: Evaluating The Last Four Years in the EAP (East Asian and Pacific) Region and Unseized Opportunities Under President Trump,” with testimony from Zack Cooper, senior fellow, American Enterprise Institute; Craig Singleton, senior fellow, Foundation for Defense of Democracies and director, Foundation for Defense of Democracies China Program; and Richard Fontaine, CEO, Center for a New American Security http://foreignaffairs.house.gov

2 p.m. 2141 Rayburn — House Judiciary Constitution and Limited Government Subcommittee hearing: “‘Subject to the Jurisdiction Thereof’: Birthright Citizenship and the Fourteenth Amendment” http://judiciary.house.gov

2 p.m. H-140, U.S. Capitol — House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee hearing: “Member Day,” with testimony from Members of Congress http://appropriations.house.gov

WEDNESDAY | FEBRUARY 25

11 a.m. HVC-210, U.S. Capitol — House Oversight and Government Reform Delivering on Government Efficiency Subcommittee hearing: “How Foreign Aid Lost Its Way.” http://oversight.house.gov