WASHINGTON, D.C. — It seems the Ukranian president has woken up Saturday morning with a clearer head and possibly some remorse over his conduct at the White House during a televised meeting between himself, U.S. President Donald Trump and U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance.
Less than 24 hours after a tense and dramatic Oval Office meeting with President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy took to social media on Saturday morning with a strikingly different message—one of gratitude and conciliation.
Following what sources described as an “epic meltdown” in the White House, where Trump and Vance accused Zelenskyy of ingratitude and pushed him toward immediate peace talks with Russia, the Ukrainian leader used a series of posts on X to publicly thank the United States, including Trump himself.
“We are very grateful to the United States for all the support,” Zelenskyy wrote. “I’m thankful to President Trump, Congress for their bipartisan support, and [the] American people. Ukrainians have always appreciated this support, especially during these three years of full-scale invasion.”
The comments marked a noticeable shift in tone from the heated exchanges that reportedly took place in the Oval Office, where Trump demanded more public acknowledgment of American assistance and questioned Ukraine’s resistance to negotiations with Russia.
Zelenskyy continued his message of unity, emphasizing the deep-rooted partnership between Ukraine and the United States. “Our relationship with the American President is more than just two leaders; it’s a historic and solid bond between our peoples,” he wrote. “That’s why I always begin with words of gratitude from our nation to the American nation.”
Despite the overtures, Zelenskyy also inserted a pointed question: “How many ceasefires has Putin broken?” This line appeared to reaffirm his skepticism toward diplomatic overtures with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a key sticking point in his White House confrontation with Vance.
Trump’s response
“We had a very meaningful meeting in the White House today. Much was learned that could never be understood without conversation under such fire and pressure. It’s amazing what comes out through emotion, and I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for Peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations. I don’t want advantage, I want PEACE. He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for Peace.” – President Trump
U.S. aid and ongoing tensions
Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the United States has been Ukraine’s largest military and financial supporter. Congress has approved tens of billions of dollars in aid, including advanced weapons systems such as HIMARS rocket launchers, Abrams tanks, and Patriot missile defense batteries. The Biden administration also authorized the transfer of F-16 fighter jets to Kyiv, with pilot training underway.
Under the Trump-Vance administration, however, the future of U.S. assistance remains uncertain. Trump has signaled skepticism about indefinite aid, arguing that European allies should bear more of the financial burden. Vance, an advocate for diplomacy, has pushed for direct negotiations with Russia, a position that has put him at odds with Zelenskyy.
Russia’s ceasefire violations
Zelenskyy’s question about ceasefires appeared to challenge Trump and Vance’s push for immediate peace talks, referencing Russia’s track record of violating previous agreements. Since the invasion began, Moscow has repeatedly broken ceasefire deals, including those brokered to allow civilian evacuations from cities like Mariupol and Kherson. Ukrainian officials have cited documented instances where Russian forces shelled humanitarian corridors, despite promises of safe passage.
Zelenskyy’s social media posts suggested a balancing act—offering public gratitude to smooth over tensions with Trump while reaffirming Ukraine’s stance against negotiations with Putin. Whether this diplomatic recalibration would be enough to maintain strong U.S. support remained uncertain.
Zelenskyy’s shift in tone highlights the delicate balance he must strike to secure continued American backing while resisting pressure to negotiate with Russia.