Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded publicly for the first time since his heated Oval Office exchange with President Donald Trump on Friday, posting on social media to express his gratitude to the United States.
“Thank you America, thank you for your support, thank you for this visit,” Zelenskyy posted on X. “Thank you @POTUS. Congress, and the American people. Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for that.”
Zelenskyy’s post marked his first public comment since his White House meeting with President Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance erupted into a heated exchange, with the three leaders clashing over Ukraine’s leverage in negotiations and whether Zelenskyy had shown sufficient gratitude to the United States. A scheduled press conference on Friday was abruptly canceled following the heated exchange, and Zelenskyy was seen quickly exiting the White House, stepping into a waiting vehicle, and departing.
“We had a very meaningful meeting in the White House today,” Trump posted on Truth Social after the meeting. “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.”
“Mr. President, with respect, I think it’s disrespectful for you to come into the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the American media,” Vance told Zelenskyy. “Right now, you guys are going around and forcing conscripts to the front lines, because you have manpower problems. You should be thanking the president for bringing it, to bring it into this country.”
“Have you’ve ever been to Ukraine that you say what problems we have?” Zelenskyy shot back. “I’ve actually watched and seen the stories and I know that what happens is you bring people, you bring them on a propaganda tour,” Vance continued. “Mr. President. Do you disagree that you’ve had problems bringing people into your military? And do you think that it’s respectful to come to the Oval Office of the United States of America and attack the administration that is trying to trying to prevent the destruction of your country?”
