After a tense encounter with US President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized his appreciation for American support in Ukraine’s war against Russia. In a video message following a London summit, he stressed that Ukraine’s resilience is tied to international support and reiterated the need for security guarantees for peace. The meeting included leaders from the UK, Canada, France, and Italy, all unified in their commitment to Ukraine’s independence. The confrontation with Trump escalated when he accused Zelensky of ingratitude for US assistance, leading to an abrupt end to their meeting without a planned joint press conference.
In the wake of a confrontation with US President Donald Trump, Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky expressed on Monday that he “certainly understands the importance of America.” In a video message shared on X, he remarked that Ukraine is “thankful” for all the backing it has received from the United States in its struggle against Russia.
His statement followed a tumultuous encounter in the White House where he was criticized by Trump and Vice President JD Vance for not expressing adequate gratitude for US support throughout the three-year conflict, as well as for declining their proposed ceasefire conditions.
“Not a single day has gone by without us feeling grateful. It’s gratitude for securing our independence – our ability to remain resilient in Ukraine is rooted in what our partners are doing for us – and for their own security,” Zelensky conveyed following his participation in a crucial summit regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict in London.
These recent days have demonstrated clear backing from Europe, showcasing even more unity and a stronger willingness to collaborate.
Everyone shares a consensus on the primary concern – for peace to be genuine, we require authentic security guarantees. This stance is held by all of Europe – the entire continent. The… pic.twitter.com/inGxdO8jQz
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 3, 2025
“There is a unified call on the main issue – for peace to be substantive, we need concrete security guarantees. This is the stance of all of Europe – the whole continent, including the United Kingdom, the European Union, and Turkey,” he continued.
The security summit was organized by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, featuring leaders such as France’s Emmanuel Macron, Canada’s Justin Trudeau, and Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni among the 18 attendees discussing the war, which began following Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The London summit was focused on Ukraine and our collective European future.
We are receiving robust support for Ukraine, for our people – both military and civilian, and for our sovereignty. Jointly, we are striving in Europe to build a solid foundation for collaboration with the… pic.twitter.com/6CiBZ1HhOA
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 2, 2025
“What we seek is peace, not unending conflict. That’s why we emphasize that security guarantees are crucial for this,” Zelensky stated.
The Trump-Zelensky Altercation
On Friday, Donald Trump’s first interaction with Volodymyr Zelensky since regaining power in January began with a cordial exchange but quickly escalated into a heated dispute in front of the international press.
The fiery Oval Office conversation initiated when JD Vance emphasized the need for diplomacy to resolve the Ukraine conflict. He also criticized Zelensky for lacking appreciation for US support when the Ukrainian President challenged his advocacy for “diplomacy” with Russia.
Trump further admonished Zelensky, asserting that without US assistance, Ukraine would have succumbed to Russian control.
Carefully observe this. Very significant.
pic.twitter.com/wdM3XdbrH1
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 28, 2025
Zelensky then departed in his motorcade shortly after being asked to leave, forgoing a previously scheduled joint press conference.
The US and Ukraine also did not finalize a minerals agreement, which was anticipated to be a step toward resolving the conflict.