Zelenskyy thanks Trump after NATO summit meeting to discuss Ukraine peace

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude towards President Donald Trump following a conversation they had on Wednesday at the NATO summit in the Netherlands. This gesture came after Vice President JD Vance publicly called out Zelenskyy for not showing more appreciation for U.S. support in Kyiv’s battle against Moscow.

The tensions between Zelenskyy and the U.S. administration came to a head during a meeting at the White House in February, where Zelenskyy openly debated with Trump and Vance in the Oval Office about diplomatic approaches to resolving the conflict with Russia. Vance, in particular, questioned Zelenskyy’s lack of gratitude towards the U.S., prompting an exchange that made headlines.

However, on Wednesday, Zelenskyy took to social media to thank Trump and the U.S. following their meeting in The Hague. He emphasized the importance of achieving a ceasefire and real peace, as well as discussed strategies to protect the Ukrainian people. Zelenskyy’s post hinted at ongoing efforts to bring peace closer, with more details to follow.

The Oval Office meeting in February, where tensions flared, marked a turning point in the relationship between Zelenskyy and the U.S. administration. Zelenskyy challenged Vance’s stance on diplomacy, questioning its effectiveness given Russia’s history of breaking agreements. Vance defended the need for diplomacy to prevent further destruction in Ukraine, leading to a heated exchange.

In the aftermath of the Oval Office meeting, Trump announced a pause in peace negotiations and suggested that Zelenskyy could return when he was “ready” for peace. Despite the rocky start, Zelenskyy later expressed gratitude for U.S. support on social media, acknowledging the backing of the American government and people.

Since the tense exchange at the White House, Zelenskyy and Trump have continued to have discussions over the phone and met in person at the funeral of Pope Francis in Vatican City. While Trump admitted challenges in finalizing a peace deal with Ukraine and Russia, he described Zelenskyy as “nice” and expressed a desire to see an end to the conflict.

Overall, the recent meeting between Zelenskyy and Trump at the NATO summit signals a potential thaw in relations and a renewed commitment to finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine. Despite past disagreements and challenges, both leaders appear willing to work towards a common goal of achieving lasting peace in the region.