During a tense meeting at the White House on February 23, 2025, former U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of not being grateful enough to the United States for its support. \u201cYou need to be more grateful. You don’t hold any cards,\u201d Trump said, and Vance added: \u201cHave you ever said ‘thank you’ for this meeting?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, CNN<\/a>‘s analysis of Zelenskyy’s statements refutes these claims. The President of Ukraine has repeatedly expressed his gratitude to the United States, its leaders, and the American people for their support in the fight against Russian aggression since 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Facts that confirm Zelenskyy’s gratitude<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Zelenskyy has repeatedly thanked the United States in public speeches, on social media, and during official meetings. CNN has compiled all of the president’s thank-you messages in chronological order: July 1, 2022, <\/strong>on X<\/strong><\/a>: <\/strong>\u201cI commend US historic decision to provide UA with new security assistance package, including modern air defense systems. Thank you @POTUS<\/strong><\/a> for your continued leadership and support of UA in its fight against the aggressor. Together towards the victory!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n August 19, 2022, <\/strong>on X<\/strong><\/a>: <\/strong>\u201cI highly appreciate another (American) military aid package in the amount of $775 million. Thank you @POTUS for this decision! We have taken another important step to defeat the aggressor. (Ukraine) will be free!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n December 21, 2022, <\/strong>meeting with Biden<\/strong><\/a>: \u201cThank you so much, Mr. President. Of course thanks bipartisan support. Thanks Congress. And thanks from our, just, ordinary people to your ordinary people, Americans. I really appreciate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n December 21, 2022<\/strong>, <\/strong>address to US Congress<\/strong><\/a>:<\/strong> \u201cNow, on this special Christmastime, I want to thank you, all of you. I thank every American family which cherishes the warmth of its home and wishes the same warmth to other people. I thank President Biden and both parties, at the Senate and the House, for your invaluable assistance. I thank your cities and your citizens who supported Ukraine this year, who hosted our Ukrainians, our people, who waved our national flags, who acted to help us. Thank you all, from everyone who is now at the front line, from everyone who is awaiting victory.\u201d And: \u201cFinancial assistance is also critically important, and I would like to thank you, thank you very much, thank you for both financial packages you have already provided us with and the ones you may be willing to decide on.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n September 21, 2023, meeting with Biden<\/a><\/strong>: \u201cThank you so much, Mr. President, so warm and strong words to all the Ukrainians from you. Thank you. Thank you, appreciate \u2013 I\u2019m glad to meet you\u2026Thank you for the invitation. Our regular dialogue is proof that our countries are really, truly allies and strategic friends. And we greatly appreciate that vital assistance provided by the United States to Ukraine to combat Russian terror, really terror.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n September 21, 2023<\/strong>, address at the National Archives<\/strong><\/a>: \u201cThere is not a single soul here today who would not care what happens to freedom. And there is not a soul in Ukraine that does not feel gratitude to you, America. To you \u2013 the people who help us not because you have to, but because your heart cannot let you do otherwise. Thank you. That is humanity. This is what makes us Ukraine. That\u2019s what makes you America.\u201d And: \u201cThank you, America!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n November 20, 2023, on X<\/a><\/strong>: \u201cI am grateful to @POTUS<\/a> Joe Biden, US Congress, and the entire American people for the new military aid package announced today.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n November 23, 2023, on X<\/a><\/strong>: <\/strong>\u201cOn behalf of all Ukrainians, Olena @ZelenskaUA<\/a> and I wish all Americans a happy Thanksgiving. We thank you, the people of America. We know how many of you sincerely sympathize with our struggle and wish Ukraine victory. We saw how many of you took to heart the illegal and unprovoked attack on Ukraine and felt that it was also an attack on your values. Thanks to American support and global leadership, millions of Ukrainian lives have been saved. Ukraine is grateful to you!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n December 6, 2023, on X<\/a><\/strong>: \u201cI am grateful to @POTUS<\/a> Joe Biden, Congress, and the American people for the new military aid package announced today.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n December 11, 2023, on X<\/a><\/strong>: <\/strong>\u201cI met with leaders of US defense companies and expressed my gratitude to every American worker who manufactures weapons that help us safeguard our people and defend our land.\u201d The post included a video clip from a Zelensky meeting with US defense industry executives, in which he said, \u201cI want to thank you, all of you, and your partners, and of course please pass from me messages to your workers, people who really work \u2013 and they did a lot for Ukraine.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n December 11, 2023, <\/strong>speech at the National Defense University<\/strong><\/a>: <\/strong>\u201cI want to start by saying thanks to (Defense) Secretary (Lloyd) Austin. A huge man, big friend of Ukraine. Thank you very much for your \u2013 personal \u2013 no really, thank you for your personal leadership during this time, for supporting us, supporting Ukraine, and defending all free world. Chairman (Charles Q.) Brown, thank you for your vision and support. And special thanks to (Navy) Secretary (Carlos) Del Toro and (Army) Secretary (Christine) Wormuth, for all your invaluable support to the Ukrainian Navy and Army. Thank you very much.\u201d And: \u201cI thank you, America, for your support.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n December 12, 2023, <\/strong>joint press conference with Biden<\/strong><\/a>: \u201cI\u2019m glad to be here and personally thank you and tell you how Ukraine values what we\u2019ve achieved together defending life and freedom.\u201d And: \u201cAnd we\u2019ve shown no \u2013 no Russian missiles can overdo the powerful American Patriot systems. Thank you very much.\u201d And: \u201cFirst, air defense and destroying Russian logistics on Ukraine\u2019s land. Mr. President, thank you very much for your supporting \u2013 supporting us and in these areas \u2013 like our victory in the Black Sea.\u201d And: \u201cToday\u2019s discussions in the White House and in Congress, across both parties and both chambers, with the Speaker were very productive. And I thank you for the bipartisan support.\u201d And: \u201cThank you very much, Mr. President. Thank you, America.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n January 16, 2024, on X<\/a><\/strong>: \u201cI met with @SecBlinken<\/a> to thank the United States, President Biden, Congress, and the American people for their unwavering support and leadership in supporting Ukraine.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n March 12, 2024, on X<\/a><\/strong>: \u201cI thank @POTUS<\/a> Joe Biden, his administration, Congress, and the American people for the $300 million military aid package that addresses Ukraine\u2019s immediate needs for artillery, antitank weapons, and air defense.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n March 20, 2024, on X<\/a>: <\/strong>\u201cToday, I hosted National Security Advisor to @POTUS<\/a> @JakeSullivan46<\/a> for a meaningful and focused meeting. I am grateful to the United States for supporting our country and people. It is vital that American leadership in protecting international order remains firm.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n April 20, 2024, on Telegram<\/a> and X<\/a>, after Congress passed a bill to provide additional aid to Ukraine<\/strong>: <\/strong>\u201cThank you, America!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n May 24, 2024, on X:<\/a> <\/strong>\u201cI am grateful to @POTUS Joe Biden, U.S. Congress and its both parties, as well as the American people for the new military aid package announced today.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n June 7, 2024, meeting with Biden<\/a>: <\/strong>\u201cThank you so much, Mr. President. First of all, thank you so much for your significant support – you, your administration. We\u2019re very thankful from all Ukrainians to your military support, financial support, humanitarian one. And, of course, it\u2019s very important\u2026It\u2019s very important that you stay with us. This bipartisan support with the Congress – it\u2019s very important that in this unity, the United States of America, all American people stay with Ukraine. <\/strong>Like it was during World War Two, how the United States helped to save human lives, to save Europe – and we count on your continuing support and standing with us shoulder to shoulder. Thank you so much.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n June 13, 2024, joint press conference with Biden<\/a><\/strong>: \u201cMr. President, thank you, your team. I would also like to thank the United States Congress for their support \u2014 both parties, both chambers. Thank you. And thanks to every American heart that does not betray freedom and supports us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n June 13, 2024, message to Ukrainians<\/a><\/strong>: \u201cImportantly, the agreement with the United States now stipulates support for Ukraine both during wartime and in peacetime. It is truly long-term. We have the same vision of peace \u2013 peace that is just for our people. Thank you, President Biden, thank you to both parties and chambers of Congress, thank you, America!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n July 3, 2024<\/strong>, on X<\/a><\/strong>: \u201cI am grateful to @POTUS<\/a> Joe Biden, both parties in Congress, and the entire American people for today\u2019s military aid packages.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n July 4, 2024, on X<\/a><\/strong>: <\/strong>\u201cThank you, America. Thank you to every American heart that beats in solidarity with brave Ukrainian hearts fighting for independence. I wish the United States and all Americans strength, unity, and unwavering belief in the triumph of good over evil, liberty over tyranny, and life over terror. #4thOfJuly<\/a>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n July 9, 2024, address at Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute<\/a><\/strong>: \u201cMr. (Mitch) McConnell, I am grateful for your firmness in defending freedom, and for your visits to Ukraine to see how important it is to win, to win now. To prevail over the Russian war and terror.\u201d And: \u201cAnd all these steps would strengthen us \u2013 as today\u2019s exceptional decision of the US and partners to provide Ukraine with additional five Patriot air defense systems and dozens of others, and prioritize air defense interceptors for Ukraine. Ukrainian people are grateful for that. Thank you so much!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n July 11, 2024, meeting with Biden<\/a><\/strong>: \u201cAnd I\u2019m grateful to you; your team; your administration; of course, Congress – both parties, both chambers; and all Americans – for their vital and your strong support of Ukraine and Ukrainian people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n July 11, 2024, on X<\/a><\/strong>: <\/strong>\u201cWe appreciate President Joe Biden\u2019s decision to strengthen our air defenses with five new Patriot systems and dozens of other systems. This strong decision will help us combat Russian terror. I\u2019m grateful to President @POTUS<\/a>, his team, the administration, Congress \u2013 both parties, both houses \u2013 and the entire American people for their vital support of the Ukrainians. Together, we are saving lives of our people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n July 21, 2024, on X<\/a><\/strong>: \u201cUkraine is grateful to President Biden for his unwavering support for Ukraine\u2019s fight for freedom, which, along with strong bipartisan support in the United States, has been and continues to be critical\u2026We will always be thankful for President Biden\u2019s leadership. He supported our country during the most dramatic moment in history, assisted us in preventing Putin from occupying our country, and has continued to support us throughout this terrible war.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n September 6, 2024, on X<\/a><\/strong>: \u201cI am grateful to @POTUS<\/a> Joe Biden, both parties in Congress, and the American people for the security assistance package announced today.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n September 22, 2024, <\/strong>remarks at ammunition factory in Pennsylvania<\/strong><\/a>: \u201cYou said that 400 people work here. But I wanted very much to come here and thank you; 400 people saved millions of Ukrainians, because of the result of your work. I am very thankful. Just from ordinary Ukrainians to you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n September 26, 2024, <\/strong>meeting with Biden<\/strong><\/a>: \u201cMr. President, thank you for your strong support, for the decisions that are helping us protect Ukraine, Ukrainians, our hope. We deeply appreciate that Ukraine and America have stood side by side from the very first moments of this terrible Russian invasion. Your determination is incredibly important for us to prevail.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n December 7, 2024, on X<\/a><\/strong>: \u201cI had a good and productive trilateral meeting with President @realDonaldTrump<\/a> and President @EmmanuelMacron<\/a> at the \u00c9lys\u00e9e Palace. President Trump is, as always, resolute. I thank him. I also extend my gratitude to Emmanuel for organizing this important meeting.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n January 10, 2025, on X<\/a>: <\/strong>\u201cI spoke with @POTUS<\/a> and expressed my condolences over the devastating wildfires in California and the tragic loss of lives\u2026I also thanked him for the unwavering support of Ukraine\u2019s independence and for the vital role the United States has played in uniting the international community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n February 12, 2025, <\/strong>on X<\/strong><\/a>: \u201cI had a meaningful conversation with @POTUS<\/a>. We long talked about opportunities to achieve peace, discussed our readiness to work together at the team level, and Ukraine\u2019s technological capabilities\u2014including drones and other advanced industries. I am grateful to President Trump for his interest in what we can accomplish together.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" During a tense meeting at the White House on February 23, 2025, …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":67,"featured_media":1102685,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[49,36415],"tags":[],"sources":[],"class_list":["post-1104301","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news-en","category-11473-news-en"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
January 21, 2022,\u00a0<\/strong>on X<\/strong><\/a>:\u00a0<\/strong>\u201cThank you @POTUS for the unprecedented (American) diplomatic and military assistance for (Ukraine).\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n