Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent privately disparaged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and urged President Donald Trump not to host him at the White House, according to a forthcoming book by New York Times reporters Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan. The book, Regime Change, alleges Bessent told associates, "I’ve dealt with this little f*****. He’s tricky. He’s like the special-needs child for the Europeans. And he’s acting like Mr Bean on crack." Bessent reportedly pushed Trump to withhold an Oval Office invitation until Zelenskyy signed a minerals deal he had drafted.

The meeting went ahead on Feb. 28, 2025, and turned contentious, with Trump and Vice President JD Vance criticizing Zelenskyy over gratitude for U.S. aid and his attire. The U.S. President later canceled a planned joint news conference and wrote on Truth Social that Zelenskyy was "not ready for peace." According to the report, the book also describes a tense Kyiv visit where Bessent and Zelenskyy clashed for 45 minutes over deal terms. Negotiations reportedly stalled further amid disagreements between Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.

Key Events and Disputes

Soros Comparison

The Guardian reports that, according to the book, perhaps most embarrassing for Bessent is his comparison of President Trump to George Soros, his former boss and a major Democratic donor often portrayed as a villain by the political right. Bessent reportedly told associates that Trump reminded him of Soros, saying, "They are the same animal." At this week's G7 summit in France, Trump joined a pledge backing Ukraine's sovereignty and tightening sanctions on Russia's energy sector, with Washington signaling openness to reinstating oil sanctions.

ThinkCareBelieve has announced the release of a report detailing events that transpired during Week 74 of the Trump Administration. The document is part of a weekly series tracking achievements and events since President Trump took office in January 2025. The report covers significant geopolitical and policy developments, providing analysis and links to primary sources.

Key Developments

The report highlights several major events from the specified week. One focal point is the U.S.-Iran Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed at the Palace of Versailles. The document explores the profound meaning of this agreement and examines how other G7 leaders reacted to its key terms, specifically Iran’s commitment to forgo nuclear weapons.

Policy and Regulatory Changes

Another significant topic covered is the European Parliament's approval of a major 'Return Regulation.' This legislation is designed to speed up the deportation of migrants and asylum seekers who have no legal right to remain in the European Union. The report provides details on the implications of this regulatory change.

Defense and Intelligence

The publication also addresses defense strategies and intelligence matters. It outlines the terms given by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to NATO for the transition to 'NATO 3.0' and discusses measures the U.S. intends to take to ensure this implementation. Additionally, the report references newly declassified documents from the Director of National Intelligence (DNI). These documents allegedly contain evidence that the National Institutes of Health (NIH), under Dr. Fauci, funded the Wuhan Lab and directed the Intelligence Community away from investigating this involvement.

Organizational Mission

ThinkCareBelieve stated that its mission for peace advocacy facilitates positive outcomes by finding commonalities between diverse groups. The organization emphasizes that public participation and awareness of issues lead to justice and improved government transparency. The article serves as a reference and resource for reviewing events that took place in America during this period.