President Donald Trump teased a possible meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Monday from the Oval Office, amid what he called his "serious discussions" with Russian President Vladimir Putin about ending the war between Russia and Ukraine. 

The president, from the Oval Office Monday, hinted at a potential meeting with Zelenskyy to finalize an agreement for rights to access its natural resources in exchange for the United States’ billions of dollars in support for the country's war against Russia.

TRUMP SAYS DEAL WITH UKRAINE FOR US ACCESS TO ITS RARE EARTH MINERALS IS ‘PRETTY CLOSE’

"In fact, he may come in this week or next week to sign the agreement, which would be nice, I'd love to meet him. Would meet at the Oval Office," Trump said. "The agreement is being worked on now." 

"They are very close to a final deal," the president said. 

The Trump administration is seeking to recoup the cost of aid sent to the war-torn country by gaining access to rare earth minerals like titanium, iron and uranium. 

"It'll be a deal with rare earths and various other things. And, he would like to come. As I understand it, here, to sign it. And that would be great with me," Trump said. "I think they then have to get it approved by their council or whoever might approve it, but I'm sure that will happen." 

Trump said that the deal is "very beneficial to their economy," while Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that the deal is "very close." 

"One-yard line," Bessent said. 

Trump’s comments come just after he posted on Truth Social that he was in "serious discussions" with Putin about ending the war between Russia and Ukraine. 

The post came after French President Emmanuel Macron of France joined him in the Oval Office to speak to the G7 Summit. 

"The meeting was convened by Governor Justin Trudeau of Canada, the current chair of the G7, to acknowledge the Third Anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine War—Which would have never started if I was president," Trump posted on his Truth Social.  

TRUMP SET TO MEET WITH WORLD LEADERS IN DC DURING BUSY WEEK AS RUSSIA-UKRAINE PEACE TALKS CONTINUE

"Everyone expressed their goal of seeing the War end, and I emphasized the importance of the vital ‘Critical Minerals and Rare-Earths Deal’ between the United States and Ukraine, which we hope will be signed very soon!" Trump continued, adding that the deal is an "economic partnership" would "ensure the American people recoup the tens of billions of dollars an military equipment sent to Ukraine, while also helping Ukraine’s economy grow as this brutal and savage war comes to an end." 

The president said, though, "at the same time," he was "in serious discussions with President Vladimir Putin of Russia concerning the ending of the War, and also major Economic Development transactions which will take place between the United States and Russia." 

"Talks are proceeding very well!" he added. 

The president Monday also predicted that the Russia-Ukraine war could end within weeks. 

"I think the war could end soon," Trump told reporters. 

When asked if it could be "within weeks," Trump said: "Yeah, I think so, right? Don't you think so? I'd like to ask, have you, I think we could end it within weeks. If we're smart." 

"If we're not smart, it'll keep going and we'll keep losing young, beautiful people that we shouldn't be dying. And we don't want that," Trump said. "And remember what I said? This could escalate into a third world war, and we don't want that either." 

Trump administration officials, including White House National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff met in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, recently with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and President Vladimir Putin’s Foreign Affairs Advisor Yuri Ushakov to hash out ways to end the conflict. 

TRUMP OFFICIAL SAYS UKRAINE MINERAL DEAL IS 'WIN-WIN' FINANCIAL OPPORTUNITY FOR US TAXPAYERS, UKRAINIANS

Ukraine was absent from the negotiations in Saudi Arabia. 

Ukraine's lack of involvement sparked Zelenskyy to double down on the stance that his nation will not accept a peace deal unless it is a part of the negotiation process. 

Zelenskyy told reporters Tuesday in Turkey that "nobody decides anything behind our back," after stressing in recent days that Kyiv will not agree to a peace negotiation without Ukraine’s input.

Trump recently amplified his rhetoric against Zelenskyy, including arguing Zelenskyy was a poor negotiator and that he's "sick of it." 

"I've been watching this man for years now as his cities get demolished, as his people get killed, as his soldiers get decimated," Trump told Fox News' Brian Kilmeade.

"I've been watching him negotiate with no cards. He has no cards, and you get sick of it," he continued. "You just get sick of it, and I've had it."

"I get tired of listening to it," Trump said. "I've seen it enough, and then he complains that he's not at a meeting that we're having with Saudi Arabia trying to intermediate peace. Well, he's been at meetings for three years with a... president who didn't know what the hell he was doing. He's been at the meetings for three years and nothing got done, so I don't think he's very important to be at meetings, to be honest with you. He's been there for three years. He's he makes it very hard to make deals."

Meanwhile, the president said Monday he would be "certainly" willing to go to Moscow. 

"At the appropriate time, I would go to Moscow," Trump said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he would step down as president of Ukraine if it meant his nation would be accepted into NATO. 

Zelenskyy told reporters Sunday he was willing to give up the presidency "if it is for the peace of Ukraine," or if Ukraine is offered NATO membership – after President Donald Trump called him a "dictator" for failing to hold wartime elections. 

He also said he did not agree with Trump that Ukraine should pay the U.S. retroactively for the over $100 billion in aid offered since war broke out three years ago on Monday. 

"We agreed with Biden that this was a grant. A grant is not a debt," Zelenskyy said. 

US-UKRAINE RIFT BREAKS OUT AT UNITED NATIONS ON 3RD ANNIVERSARY OF THE WAR

U.S. officials have said NATO membership is off the table for Ukraine at any point in the near future, as Russia would never agree to such terms. 

Despite Zelenskyy's complaints, Trump insisted a new draft mineral deal is "very close," and the deal will be worth $350 billion. 

"It looks like we're getting very close, the deal's being worked on we're getting very close to getting an agreement where we get our money back over a period of time. But it also gives us something that is very beneficial to their economy, to them as a country," Trump told reporters while meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron. 

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed the U.S. and Ukraine are at the "one-yard line" of a deal. 

"The negotiations have been very constructive, with nearly all key details finalized. We are committed to completing this swiftly to proceed with its signature. We hope both US and UA leaders might sign and endorse it in Washington the soonest to showcase our commitment for decades to come," Olga Stefanishyna, a Ukrainian deputy prime minister, added on X. 

Zelenskyy insisted he would not sign a deal that would cost Ukraine for decades.

"I will not sign what 10 generations of Ukrainians will have to pay back," he said. 

However, Zelenskyy is under pressure to agree to a deal to appease the Trump administration as the U.S. tries to broker peace with Russia.

The deal involves offering the U.S. preferential access to hundreds of billions of dollars' worth of Ukraine’s rare-earth minerals as payback for past military aid, with no guarantee of future aid. 

TRUMP SET TO MEET WITH WORLD LEADERS IN DC DURING BUSY WEEK AS RUSSIA-UKRAINE PEACE TALKS CONTINUE

"I expect to see a deal signed this week," White House envoy Steve Witkoff said on CNN Sunday. 

"We’re funding with no arrangement to pay it back. Alternatively, the Europeans who are most affected by this war were funding the minority share, and they had agreements to pay it back. This agreement is much about repayment for all that we have done on behalf of the Ukrainian people."

Last week, Zelenskyy infuriated Trump by rejecting an initial version of a minerals deal, leading Trump to deem the Ukrainian president a "dictator without elections" and said Ukraine "never should have started" the war. 

Zelenskyy, in turn, said Trump was operating in a "disinformation space," which earned the Ukrainian leader warnings from Vice President JD Vance and national security adviser Mike Waltz to tone down his criticisms.

"I want the same as Donald Trump says he wants — to end the war as soon as possible. I believe he wants and will help us to end it. But the 'peace through strength' tactic should be applied on Russia first and foremost. We are partners and I want him to be on our side," Zelenskyy said.

Ukraine's constitution outlaws holding elections while the nation is operating under martial law, which it has been since February 2022. Elections were originally scheduled for last spring. 

Under the first draft of the mineral deal, the U.S. and Ukraine would split the profits of its minerals 50-50 for up to $500 billion. 

The second draft of the deal, obtained by the New York Times, was even harsher – and would have required Kyiv to give up its minerals, oil and gas revenues and earnings from ports and other infrastructure until reaching $500 billion. 

Zelenskyy said he would not recognize Trump’s $500 billion figure, as the assistance Ukraine had received from the U.S. was closer to $100 billion. 

• Starbucks announced on Monday it would be laying off 1,100 corporate employees.
• The coffee chain also said it would be removing 13 menu items on March 4.
• Among the menu items disappearing are nine of the chain's Frappuccino drinks.

Starbucks is shaking up its menu, trimming down offerings as part of a wave of bigger changes at the company.

A Starbucks representative told Business Insider the chain is removing several items from its menu that are less popular with guests, can be difficult or time-consuming to make, or are similar to other items on the menu.

"As part of our plan to get back to Starbucks, we're simplifying our menu to focus on fewer, more popular items, executed with excellence," the chain told Business Insider in an email. "This will make way for innovation, help reduce wait times, improve quality and consistency, and align with our core identity as a coffee company."

Starbucks plans to reduce its menu by roughly 30% by September.

The changes will make room for new menu items, as well as Starbucks' soon-to-be-released spring menu, which includes its lavender beverages lineup and a new drink, the Iced Cherry Chai.

A majority of the cut menu items include its Frappuccino offerings, as well as its matcha lemonade and Honey Almondmilk Flat White.

The changes come amid other shakeups at the company as it seeks to turn around declining sales. On Monday, Brian Niccol, who joined Starbucks as its CEO in September, announced the company would lay off 1,100 corporate employees this week.

"We are simplifying our structure, removing layers and duplication and creating smaller, more nimble teams," Niccol said in a letter sent to employees. "Our intent is to operate more efficiently, increase accountability, reduce complexity and drive better integration."

The company said that employees affected by the layoffs will be notified by midday Tuesday. Starbucks store employees will not be affected by the layoffs.

Here's the full list of Starbucks menu items being removed on March 4

1. Iced Matcha Lemonade
2. Espresso Frappuccino
3. Caffè Vanilla Frappuccino
4. White Chocolate Mocha Frappuccino
5. Java Chip Frappuccino
6. Chai Crème Frappuccino
7. Caramel Ribbon Crunch Crème Frappuccino
8. Double Chocolaty Chip Crème Frappuccino
9. Chocolate Cookie Crumble Crème Frappuccino
10. White Chocolate Crème Frappuccino
11. White Hot Chocolate
12. Royal English Breakfast Latte
13. Honey Almondmilk Flat White

• An AI-generated video of Trump and Musk was shown on TVs at the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
• The video appeared as some HUD employees returned to the office, sparking widespread discussion.
• Federal workers are facing scrutiny amid large-scale terminations and productivity monitoring efforts.

When some employees at the Department of Housing and Urban Development came into work on Monday morning, they were greeted with an unexpected sight: office TVs showing what appeared to be an AI-generated video of President Donald Trump sucking the toes of Elon Musk underneath a text that read, "LONG LIVE THE REAL KING."

It's unclear how widely the video was distributed or how long it was displayed. One HUD employee said that by the time they arrived at the building, just before 9 a.m., the video was no longer showing.

"Another waste of taxpayer dollars and resources. Appropriate action will be taken for all involved," HUD spokesperson Kasey Lovett said in a statement to Business Insider.

The White House and Musk did not immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment.

Two recordings seen by BI seem to show different monitors in the building displaying the video. AFGE union officials also said that they had verified the video was shown at HUD.

According to one HUD worker, the video was all the buzz among staffers this morning, with coworkers passing along their own accounts of the monitors. That worker said that they hadn't received any official communications on the monitors or video. Footage also quickly made its way to reporters, with several posting the video on X and Bluesky.

Monday was the first day that bargaining unit employees at HUD were to return to the office.

One former HUD worker, who was recently terminated as part of probationary worker cuts, said the video was "funny as hell."

"I have been in shock since seeing it," they said. "And immediately shared it with anyone I could."

The video comes as workers across the federal government contend with large-scale terminations of probationary employees. The Associated Press has reported that HUD could see sweeping cuts, with half of the workforce reportedly set to be slashed.

Over the weekend, the Office of Personnel Management emailed federal workers under the subject line "What did you do last week?" The email asked workers to submit five bullet points on what they had accomplished the past week. Some federal agencies directed their workers not to respond to the email, while at least one — the Social Security Administration — told workers to reply and treat it as an opportunity to highlight their work.

Fo now, according to another HUD worker, the monitors have been turned off, and people have moved on.

"Everyone was talking about it this morning," the worker said, "and then it's back to business on housing policy."

Are you a federal worker with a story or tip to share? Contact this reporter on Signal at julianakaplan.33, or via email at [email protected].

• The 2025 SAG Awards were hosted in Los Angeles on Sunday.
• A handful of celebrities missed the mark with their outfits.
• For example, Jamie Lee Curtis and Zooey Deschanel wore looks that overwhelmed them.

Awards season continued on Sunday with the 2025 Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Many stars arrived at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles in stunning fashion. Some experimented with daring looks, while celebrity couples coordinated to perfection.

Unfortunately, a few attendees stood out because their outfits missed the mark.

Here's a look at the night's fashion moments that could have been better.

Zooey Deschanel's dress blended menswear and womenswear — but she should've stuck with one style.

Her black Giorgio Armani gown was perfect for a matching menswear moment with her fiancé Jonathan Scott.

However, when she walked the blue carpet alone, the long-sleeve piece with a white bib overpowered her petite frame.

It would have been better if Deschanel had fully leaned into a feminine or masculine style — like a classic black gown or a strong power suit.

Jamie Lee Curtis was going for glamour, but one piece of her outfit overwhelmed her.

She arrived at the event wearing a black, sparkling gown from Dolce & Gabbana — and it looked stunning on her.

Unfortunately, though, the dress and Curtis herself were overshadowed by a long-sleeved shawl covered in feathers. It was so puffy that it shielded her neck and almost covered her hands.

The piece seemed to wear Curtis rather than the other way around.

Tyler James Williams wore a suit that was stunning in color but also ill-fitting.

Williams' signature red-carpet style often includes oversize suit jackets styled with perfectly tailored trousers.

At the SAG Awards, he paired a large blazer featuring statement shoulder pads with long, loose-fitting pants. Together, the outfit appeared ill-fitting and a little messy.

Its maroon color, however, looked phenomenal on the actor.

Jeremy Strong made a bold fashion choice, but it didn't exactly pay off.

He posed for photographs in a sage-green outfit that was custom-made for him by Haans Nicholas Mott.

Though its unique shade worked for Strong, other various details did not. Its jacket, for example, had a string tie that was too casual for the overall look, while its satin lapels were too elevated.

His outfit might have been better if styled with a different jacket altogether.

Kerry Washington's shimmering gown had so much potential.

From the waist down, Washington's pink Armani Privé gown was fit for a princess. It was made with a shining silk fabric and embellished with a sheer, pearl-covered overlay.

Its long-sleeved top was also pretty, with a high neckline, all-over silver appliqués, and more pearls. That said, it was also see-through, which distracted from the gown's elegance.

A satin bra made from the same material as her skirt would have completed the outfit.

Millie Bobby Brown wore a peach dress that was underwhelming.

Louis Vuitton custom-made the actor's gown, which was sleeveless with a cowl neckline, floor-length skirt, and short train.

Though she elevated the look with some diamond jewelry, her gown's silhouette was ultimately too simple for the red-carpet event.

Its pale color also appeared to wash Brown out when paired with her bleach-blonde hair.

There was one simple problem with Demi Moore's edgy gown.

She wore a custom look from Bottega Veneta that should have worked for her. Its black color was classic, and its strapless neckline highlighted her gold jewelry.

Its bodice was made from leather and extended to create a drop-waist silhouette. But the harsh material didn't work as well as a softer one would have, especially considering the pleated peplum skirt it was paired with.

• Ad companies targeted by a Rumble lawsuit say it's an attempt to "weaponize" antitrust laws.
• Rumble accused Diageo, WPP, and an ad trade group of colluding to boycott the platform.
• The ad companies say Rumble wasn't an attractive ad platform and that there was no conspiracy.

Advertisers targeted by the video platform Rumble in a lawsuit are hitting back.

Drinks giant Diageo, WPP and its media buying arm GroupM, and trade body the World Federation of Advertisers are seeking to dismiss a lawsuit filed against them last year by Rumble. They accuse the platform, which is popular among conservative audiences, of trying to "weaponize" antitrust laws to force advertisers to do business with it.

In Rumble's complaint, initially filed in a Texas court in August, the platform alleged that advertisers and agencies "collectively agreed to restrict the output of digital advertising on social media platforms"
through the WFA's now-defunct initiative, the Global Alliance for Responsible Media.

Rumble's lawsuit said this conspiracy resulted in higher advertising costs, reduced earnings for content creators, and inhibited the platform's growth and profitability.

In their response filed Friday, the WFA, WPP, and Diageo said the case should be dismissed because it didn't successfully allege an agreement, a relevant market, or harm to competition.

The filing says there are "perfectly good non-boycott reasons" why those advertisers and others "have chosen not to advertise on Rumble, which prides itself on lax content moderation and brand-safety measures."

Rumble, the WFA, and Diageo didn't respond to requests for comment. WPP declined to comment.

Rumble's case and the response from advertisers are notable in part because of the suit's similarities to one filed by Elon Musk's X, also in August last year. X is suing the WFA and almost a dozen advertisers who were GARM members — including big names like Mars, Shell, and Nestlé — alleging they conspired to pull ad dollars from X following Musk's takeover of the company formerly known as Twitter.

Those advertisers haven't yet filed a response.

Founded in 2019, GARM was a US-based initiative that aimed to provide frameworks and common language for the ad industry regarding harmful and sensitive content categories like hate speech, online piracy, and violence. Adherence to its Brand Safety Framework was voluntary, and it didn't single out any websites for advertisers to avoid by name.

However, some conservatives argued that GARM had an anti-conservative bias. The House Judiciary Committee, led by its chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, published an investigation last summer that alleged GARM and its members colluded to boycott platforms, podcasts, news outlets, and other content they disfavored, such as X and Joe Rogan's podcast on Spotify.

The WFA has maintained that it will contest the allegations and is confident that it adhered to competition rules.

In August, GARM ceased operations in the wake of Rumble and X's lawsuits, with the WFA saying at the time that the not-for-profit organization only had limited resources.

Advertisers avoided Rumble because its content was risky, the filing says

On its website, Rumble says its video platform grew amid the rise of "cancel culture" and as other services tightened their content moderation rules. Rumble says it supports "diverse opinions, authentic expression, and the need for open dialogue."

The motion to dismiss the suit from Diageo and others says this commercial decision also made Rumble riskier for brands.

"No sweeping conspiracy is needed to explain why brands would have separately and unilaterally chosen not to advertise on Rumble, which prides itself on allowing content other sites will not allow," the legal filing reads. It also says Rumble's lawsuit doesn't sufficiently provide evidence of a group boycott.

In its complaint, Rumble said that starting in June 2023, it contacted GroupM and Diageo separately about advertising on the site, but both parties declined to do so. Rumble speculated in its complaint that Diageo and GroupM didn't advertise with the company because it hadn't implemented policies based on GARM's brand safety standards.

In their legal filing, the advertising companies contend that this didn't amount to a collective agreement to withhold ad dollars from Rumble. While marketers used the GARM framework to inform their ad decisions, GARM didn't direct them to boycott a platform that didn't adhere to it or dole out consequences to advertisers who ignored it, the legal filing says.

"Rumble tries to convert a trade association initiative's short-lived, voluntary 'Brand Safety Framework' into a global conspiracy," the filing says.

The filing argues that brand-safety standards are pro-competitive rather than harming competition because they help protect advertisers and make it easier to transact across various platforms.

"The fact that Rumble did not grow as fast as it wanted does not suggest that the advertising it wished to host evaporated as opposed to landing at a different platform that is more attractive to advertisers," the legal filing says.

Advertisers being sued by Rumble say the case could have 'troubling' First Amendment implications

Rumble is seeking a "permanent injunction" against the WFA, WPP, and Diageo, prohibiting them from continuing their alleged conspiracy to withhold ad dollars from the platform.

The companies argue in their filing that this would have "troubling" First Amendment, or free speech, implications.

"Just as it would violate the First Amendment for the government to tell Rumble what content it must host on its website, it would be similarly unconstitutional for this Court to order Defendants to speak on Rumble," the WFA, WPP, and Diageo argue in their filing.

In addition, they argue that Rumble's choice of court is inappropriate because the case "has nothing to do with Texas, much less the Northern District of Texas" because none of the companies operate their businesses out of the state. The Northern District of Texas has become a favored venue among conservatives, with many of its judges appointed by Republican presidents. Rumble itself is headquartered in Canada.

X's lawsuit against advertisers was also filed in the same court in the Northern District of Texas.

Advertising industry executives are closely following the X and Rumble cases and the House Judiciary Committee's ongoing probe of GARM and its members. Some industry insiders previously told BI that while they felt the cases were without merit, the outcomes of the separate actions could stymie future responsible advertising initiatives.

• Donald Trump's political operation is cashing in on DOGE.
• Trump's group is selling official Trump DOGE membership cards.
• Some merchandise also features Elon Musk.

President Donald Trump's political operation is selling DOGE membership cards, part of an effort to capitalize on the popularity of the White House DOGE office and Elon Musk's role in it.

"Today, I'm announcing that YOU can become an OFFICIAL TRUMP DOGE MEMBER!" Trump's political operation wrote in an email to supporters Sunday night.

For a minimum $47 donation, supporters can get their name on a black metal card that says "Trump DOGE member." If that is too pricy, there are also Trump DOGE T-shirts. One shirt for $40 depicts Trump and Musk. Another for $28 shows Trump, Musk, and the Shiba Inu dog, which inspired the original doge meme.

The White House's efficiency initiative is one of the most visible parts of Trump's second term.

DOGE has been the subject of numerous lawsuits from federal workers, Democratic state attorneys general, and good government groups. Trump initially appointed Musk to co-lead the "Department of Government Efficiency," though a top White House official recently declared in a legal filing that Musk is not the DOGE administrator. Musk is a senior White House advisor and remains closely linked to DOGE.

Over the weekend, Musk upended federal agencies by claiming that employees would be fired if they did not respond to an email asking, "What did you do last week?" A number of departments have since told federal workers to pause potential responses ahead of the midnight deadline.

Musk spent over $290 million on the 2024 election to elect Trump. Trump and his allies have featured Musk prominently. Trump's emails to supporters often seize on the latest DOGE headline, including Democratic lawmakers' calls for Trump to rein in the world's richest man.

Trump is term-limited out of the White House, but his political operation has remained active. According to Axios, it plans on using the money to back candidates ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Republicans hold narrow majorities in Congress. Historically, incumbent presidents have lost seats in both chambers, though the GOP currently has a much easier path to retaining control of the US Senate.

Trump could also use his war chest to remain active in the GOP once he leaves office in 2029.

This afternoon’s roundup of the best Google Play price drops on Android games and apps is now at the ready down below. On your way down be sure to scope out the ongoing Samsung Galaxy S25/Ultra deals – FREE double storage upgrade, up to 84% off Galaxy Buds, up to $900 off with trade, and a score a FREE Galaxy Fit3 wearable. We are also tracking some deep deals on SanDisk’s 1.5TB 150MB/s Ultra microSD as well as a wider Amazon SanDisk storage sale from $15. As for the apps, highlights include titles like Crystal Journey, Earthlings Beware!, Water Tracker: Hydro Coach PRO, and more. Head below for a closer look. 

Samsung is reportedly planning on debuting its tri-fold Galaxy device alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 7. The company is taking a different approach to the “tri-fold” device than we’ve seen from the like of Huawei, with seemingly twice the number of displays, and Samsung’s might be a better option.