Zelenskyy Thanks US: After Trump’s ‘Ungrateful’ Charge

Aakhir Tak – In Shorts

• Zelenskyy thanks US for support following Trump’s “ungrateful” accusation.
• US aid to Ukraine is crucial; Zelenskyy expresses deep appreciation.
• Trump and Zelenskyy meeting tense; lack of gratitude becomes central issue.
• Ukraine’s resilience depends on US partnership for security.
• International leaders rally behind Ukraine after the meeting.

Aakhir Tak – In Depth

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reiterated his gratitude for US support, especially following Donald Trump’s charge of being “ungrateful.” In a video message, Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of aid received from the United States, stating that Ukraine’s resilience hinges on its allies.

Tense Meeting with Trump

This response comes after a heated exchange in the Oval Office with Trump and Vice President JD Vance. During the meeting, the American leaders reportedly berated Zelenskyy for not showing enough appreciation for US assistance. Zelenskyy insisted, “Of course, we understand the importance of America, and we are grateful for all the support we’ve received from the United States.”

Sense of Gratitude

Zelenskyy clarified that not a day has passed without feeling gratitude. This gratitude is for preserving Ukraine’s independence and resilience, based on the support from their partners. He also noted that this support is for their own security as well.

Tensions in the Discussion

The meeting’s tension escalated when Vance suggested diplomatic talks with Russia to resolve the war. Zelenskyy dismissed this suggestion. Trump then reprimanded the Ukrainian leader, insisting that without American assistance, Ukraine would have already fallen to Russian forces.

Unfinished Deal and Cancelled Press Conference

The meeting ended chaotically, with Zelenskyy leaving earlier than scheduled in his motorcade, leading to the cancellation of a joint press conference. Additionally, a crucial minerals deal between the US and Ukraine, intended to bolster Ukraine’s economy and security, was left unsigned.

International Support

Zelenskyy’s comments came after attending a high-profile security summit in London, where world leaders discussed strategies to support Ukraine. Participants included UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, France’s Emmanuel Macron, Canada’s Justin Trudeau, and Italy’s Giorgia Meloni. Zelenskyy emphasized that European nations, along with the UK and Turkey, shared Ukraine’s stance and emphasized the need for real security guarantees for peace.

Tense Atmosphere at the White House

The anticipated meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy at the White House evolved into a tense and dramatic confrontation. It escalated to the point where Zelenskyy was asked to leave the meeting. At the start of the meeting, Trump said, as always, that the war between Russia and Ukraine would never have happened if he had been in office earlier.

However, the atmosphere changed when Trump began blaming Ukraine for the war, ignoring that Russia initiated the invasion in 2022. Vice President JD Vance intervened and accused Zelenskyy of being unwilling to accept disagreements over a ceasefire proposal. Vance also accused Zelenskyy of being “disrespectful” towards Trump. Vance said, “You should be thanking the president.”

Zelenskyy responded, “Have you been to Ukraine? Have you seen our problems?” Trump intervened, saying, “You are in no position to dictate how we should feel.”

Controversy over Lack of Gratitude

Trump reprimanded Zelenskyy, saying that he should be grateful. Vance asked if he had said thank you at least once in the entire meeting. As tensions rose, plates of spring green salad and rosemary roasted chicken were left untouched, and a joint press conference was cancelled. Shortly after, Zelenskyy was asked to leave the White House, leading to a major diplomatic rift between Ukraine and the United States.

Following this meeting, Russia welcomed the dispute between its rival and its most powerful ally, while world leaders supported Zelenskyy. A CNN fact-check team noted that despite accusations by Trump and Vance, Zelenskyy had publicly thanked the US at least 33 times since the war started in 2022.

Aakhir Tak – Key Takeaways to Remember

• Zelenskyy expressed gratitude after criticism from Trump over US aid.
• The meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy was tense, addressing the issue of gratitude.
• Vance accused Zelenskyy of being disrespectful towards Trump.
• Ukraine’s security depends on US support; Zelenskyy expressed appreciation for this support.
• Cancelled press conference and unfinished agreement are signs of meeting’s strained outcome.

Aakhir Tak Editor-in-Chief

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