KIEV — President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a public message of thanks to the United States and President Donald Trump on Sunday, one day after Trump accused Ukraine of showing “zero gratitude” for American support.
In a Telegram post, Zelensky expressed appreciation for U.S. assistance “starting with Javelin missiles” and reiterated thanks to European partners and members of the G7 and G20. He also emphasized that Ukraine is proceeding carefully in its military and diplomatic strategy “toward peace.”
The exchange comes as debates intensify in Washington over future aid to Kyiv, with Russia’s invasion nearing its fourth year and Zelensky walking a fine line between preserving goodwill in the U.S. and asserting Ukraine’s sovereignty.
The New York Post continues:
While he heaped praise on Trump in a series of posts Sunday morning, Zelensky hesitated to endorse the White House’s controversial 28-point peace deal, which calls on Ukraine to make major concessions like giving up the Donbas region while having Russia give up very little.
Zelensky stressed the need for a “dignified peace” that deterred future Russian aggression.
Under the U.S. proposal, Ukraine would have to give up the entire Donbas region, shrink its military by about a third, commit to never joining NATO, and give amnesty to everyone involved in the war.
Meanwhile, Russia would only have to concede small pockets of land it currently occupies in Ukraine and vow not to invade its neighbors, with Moscow also expected to be rewarded with reintegration into the global economy.
Zelensky used social media to restate his country’s position on the war and to remind the international community where responsibility lies. “The crux of the entire diplomatic situation is that it was Russia, and only Russia, that started this war, and it is Russia, and only Russia, that has been refusing to end it throughout the full-scale invasion.”
He went on to stress that any discussion of peace had to center on Ukraine’s long-term security and the prevention of future aggression. “It is important not to forget the main goal — to stop Russia’s war and prevent it from ever igniting again. And to achieve that, peace must be dignified,” he added.
Analysts say that what happens next — in both this exchange and the Geneva talks — could steer the entire conversation on U.S. weapons, Europe’s next moves, and whether a negotiated end to the war gains traction.
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Fair settlement? Russia leaves and pays massive reparations.
Not sure Zelenskyy has the who started it right. Did not Ukraine request NATO membership? Did not Ukraine start bombing the Russia-speaking population in eastern Ukraine?
Peace deals cannot have 28 steps. The 28 little steps that either party can back out of prolonging the process and getting no where. Five main points tops with no wiggle room on either side.
If I was Trump I would say deal no deal. No deal the US walks back any and all support in words, weapons, military assistance and funding. The US will no longer sanction Russia and will not seize any Russian assets.The US is done with a war already won by Russia.