Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had social media users chuckling after he tweeted out a torrent of "thank you" messages to world leaders who offered support after his tense meeting with President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance on Friday.
Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude to European Commission President Ursula van der Leyen, the presidents of Switzerland, Finland, Estonia, Romania, Latvia, and the Netherlands, as well as the prime ministers of the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Finland, and others, through a series of individual posts that now dominate his feed.
Each message is the same:
"Thank you for your support."
You can see them below.
Europe has embraced Zelenskyy, who has been treated like a hero in recent days amid a remarkable breakdown of the Western alliance after Trump and Vance berated Zelenskyy for more than two hours, demanding he make a deal with Russia "or we are out."
The two leaders repeatedly interrupted each other in front of the media during what was meant to be a prelude to signing a deal granting American access to Ukrainian oil, gas, and rare minerals. After tensions first arose over Trump’s approach to Ukraine peace talks with Russia, the minerals agreement was intended to be a stepping stone toward deeper security ties between the nations.
However, Zelensky was instructed by the Americans to leave before the deal could be signed. At one point, Trump accused Zelensky of not being grateful enough for U.S. military and political support, warning that he was "gambling with World War III."
Tensions escalated on Friday when Vance told Zelensky that the war needed to be resolved through diplomacy. Zelensky pushed back, asking, "what kind of diplomacy?" in reference to a 2019 ceasefire deal made three years before Russia’s full-scale invasion, at a time when Moscow was backing and arming separatist fighters in eastern Ukraine.
In response, Vance accused Zelensky of being disrespectful and “litigating” the situation in front of the media. Later, in a post on Truth Social, Trump claimed "Zelensky disrespected the US in its cherished Oval Office" and added:
"I have determined that President Zelensky 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."
Zelenskyy, in contrast, was more gracious, making a point to thank the United States in a statement on Friday:
“We are very grateful to the United States for all the support. I’m thankful to President Trump, Congress for their bipartisan support, and American people. Ukrainians have always appreciated this support, especially during these three years of full-scale invasion."
“Our relationship with the American President is more than just two leaders; it’s a historic and solid bond between our peoples. That’s why I always begin with words of gratitude from our nation to the American nation."
And people noted the difference—and the shade of it all, too.
Moscow has celebrated the clash, actively discrediting European peace initiatives.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov claimed that “someone must force Zelensky to change his position,” and added, “someone must make Zelensky want peace.” His remarks were aimed at a leader whose country has endured three years of unprovoked invasion, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of thousands between both Ukrainian and Russian forces.
While members of the Trump administration took to cable news shows to praise him for his handling of Zelenskyy, the heated exchange on Friday cast doubt on the notion that Trump is a masterful dealmaker and the only person capable of ending the war.
Critics have pointed out that Trump’s approach revolves around pressuring Ukraine into accepting a peace deal heavily favoring Putin through a series of concessions.
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