Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has offered a carefully worded public expression of gratitude to the United States and President Donald Trump, just hours after the American leader accused Kyiv's leadership of showing "zero gratitude" for Washington's efforts in the war against Russia.
The exchange unfolded on Sunday as top diplomats from the US, Ukraine, and Europe met in Geneva to discuss a controversial American-drafted peace plan that has been widely criticized for demanding significant concessions from Ukraine.
The 'Zero Gratitude' Blast
In a post on his social media platform, President Trump launched a blistering criticism of Ukraine's leadership. "UKRAINE 'LEADERSHIP' HAS EXPRESSED ZERO GRATITUDE FOR OUR EFFORTS," he wrote, referring to Washington's attempts to bring an end to the nearly four-year conflict. Trump also reiterated his claim that the war would never have happened under his leadership and criticized European nations for continuing to buy Russian oil.
The remarks landed squarely in the middle of high-stakes negotiations in Geneva concerning the 28-point US peace proposal. This plan, which Trump has reportedly pressured Kyiv to accept by a looming deadline, is understood to require Ukraine to cede territory, limit the size of its military, and formally abandon its NATO ambitions. Ukrainian and European officials have voiced serious concerns, fearing the proposal leans too heavily in Moscow's favor and could amount to a forced capitulation.
Zelenskyy's Diplomatic Response
In a swift and strategically diplomatic move, President Zelenskyy took to social media to respond, ensuring his message of thanks was unambiguous and personal.
"Ukraine is grateful to the United States, to every American heart, and personally to President Trump for the assistance that—starting with the Javelins—has been saving Ukrainian lives," Zelenskyy wrote.
He also added that Ukraine appreciates the leadership of the United States and continues to work "as constructively as possible" with President Trump on security issues.
High-Stakes Talks in Geneva
Zelenskyy’s response underscores the immense pressure Ukraine is currently facing. While the nation continues to fight against Russian advances in the East and deals with power shortages due to renewed infrastructure strikes, the diplomatic front is equally precarious.
The talks in Geneva aim to modify the US proposal, which has caused alarm among European allies. Leaders from several major European nations have publicly stated that Ukraine's borders "cannot be changed by force" and have expressed concern that limiting Ukraine's armed forces would leave it "vulnerable to future attack."
Zelenskyy himself has warned the nation that it faces "one of the most difficult moments in its history," having to choose between the "loss of dignity or the risk of losing a key partner." The Ukrainian delegation in Geneva is reportedly working to incorporate national interests into the contentious US plan, with US officials insisting that no final agreement will be reached until Presidents Trump and Zelenskyy speak directly.
