Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded to President Donald Trump’s accusation that Ukraine has “zero gratitude” for his efforts to end Russia’s war on the country in a heated social media post.
In an X post Sunday, Zelenskyy appeared to respond to Trump’s grievances and assured that he and Ukrainian leadership are grateful for “everyone [who] is offering support, giving advice, [and] providing information.”
“I am grateful to each and every person who is giving this help to us, to Ukraine. It is important to ensure that the steps to end the war are effective, and that everything is doable,” he wrote.
Noting that “Ukraine has never wanted war” and “will never be an obstacle to peace,” Zelenskyy continued, “Diplomacy has been reinvigorated — and this is good. We expect the outcome to deliver the right steps.”
Zelenskyy went on to say that his country’s “first priority” is “a reliable peace, guaranteed security, respect for our people, and respect for everyone who gave their lives defending Ukraine from Russian aggression.”
The Ukrainian politician wrapped up his message by adding, “Millions of Ukrainians clearly support our state’s position. It is palpable. There is firm support for our independence and Ukrainian sovereignty. People must benefit from all political decisions.”
Zelenskyy’s comments came after top Ukrainian, U.S. and European officials gathered in Geneva, Switzerland, on Sunday to discuss the U.S. peace proposal to put an end to the war.
The 28-point plan to end the nearly four-year war, which calls on Ukraine to cede territory and is widely seen as more favorable to Russia, sparked concern from European and Ukrainian leaders and allies.
Ahead of the meeting, Trump, who backed the proposal, shared an irate Truth Social post directed toward Zelenskyy and top U.S. allies in Europe. In the post, he argued that “with strong and proper U.S. and Ukrainian LEADERSHIP,” the “violent and terrible” Ukraine-Russia war wouldn’t have started.
Trump complained that he “INHERITED A WAR THAT SHOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPENED” while raining ire down on his predecessor, former President Joe Biden, and the “Radical Left Democrats.” He also claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin “would never have attacked” Ukraine if he were president at the time.
Trump then seethed that the war “began long before” he took office again for a second term. Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
Calling the war “A LOSER FOR EVERYONE, ESPECIALLY THE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE SO NEEDLESSLY DIED,” he added, “UKRAINE ‘LEADERSHIP’ HAS EXPRESSED ZERO GRATITUDE FOR OUR EFFORTS.”
On Friday, Trump announced that Kyiv has until Thursday to accept his peace proposal or the country could ultimately lose American military support.
Meanwhile, Zelenskyy has said that Ukraine faces a difficult choice between standing up for its rights and maintaining American military support.
After U.S. senators claimed that Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the peace proposal “Russia’s wish list,” which the State Department denied, Rubio emerged from the talk in Geneva on Sunday with a positive outlook.
He called the gathering “probably the most productive and meaningful meeting” since Trump took office for a second term.
Ukraine and the U.S. also said in a joint statement that the meeting produced “meaningful progress.”
On Monday, Trump warned in an early morning Truth Social post that people shouldn’t believe that “big progress is being made in Peace Talks between Russia and Ukraine” until “you see it.”
“But something good just may be happening,” he added.