Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has once again reaffirmed his gratitude for America's support in Ukraine's fight against Russia following a tense confrontation with US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office.
In a video message posted on X, Zelenskyy emphasised the significance of US aid, stating, "We understand the importance of America and are deeply grateful for the support we've received from the United States."
His statement came after a heated exchange with Trump and Vice President JD Vance, during which both American leaders criticised Zelensky for not showing enough appreciation for US assistance.
"There hasn’t been a single day when we haven’t felt grateful," Zelenskyy continued. "This gratitude is for our independence—the resilience of Ukraine is built on the support of our partners, and their security as well."
The meeting took a dramatic turn when Vance advocated for diplomatic negotiations with Russia to end the war, a suggestion Zelensky firmly rejected. Trump then scolded the Ukrainian leader, claiming that without American support, Ukraine would have already been overtaken by Russian forces.
The meeting concluded in disarray, with Zelensky departing early in his motorcade and skipping a planned joint press conference. Moreover, a key minerals deal between the US and Ukraine — intended to boost Ukraine's economy and security — was left unsigned.
Zelensky’s remarks came after his participation in a prominent security summit in London, where world leaders such as UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni discussed strategies to continue supporting Ukraine.
"Everyone is united on one crucial point—true peace can only be achieved with real security guarantees," Zelensky said, emphasising that European nations, along with the UK and Turkey, share Ukraine’s position.