During their meeting at the White House, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky repeatedly thanked former U.S. President Donald Trump, expressing gratitude for Trump’s hosting and efforts to end Russia’s war against Ukraine. According to a report by The Washington Post, Zelensky thanked Trump about 11 times during the four and a half minutes he spoke publicly, joining European and NATO leaders in praising the American president. The meeting followed a previous tense visit where Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance reprimanded Zelensky for perceived disrespect and lack of gratitude for U.S. aid, ending with Zelensky being ordered to leave the White House. Recently, Trump expressed frustration with Putin, calling him ‘crazy’ and dismissing his promises to stop the bloodshed in Ukraine as meaningless.

Putin, in a separate meeting with Trump in Alaska, used diplomatic flattery and praised Trump’s efforts to understand the history leading to the war. Later, Trump used social media to blame Zelensky for ending the war, referencing promises about NATO and Crimea. In response, Zelensky and his European allies sought to bring Trump back to Ukraine’s side, with Zelensky sticking to his plan of thanking Trump repeatedly.