American journalists have calculated that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has publicly thanked U.S. leaders and the American people at least 33 times for their support of Ukraine since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
CNN journalists published a fact-check following criticisms from U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance during a meeting with the Ukrainian leader on February 28, Ukrinform reports.
During a remarkably combative Oval Office meeting on Friday, both Trump and Vance told Zelensky that he was insufficiently thankful.
“You have to be thankful. You don’t have the cards,” Trump said, adding a bit later, “You gotta be more thankful.”
“Have you said thank you once this entire meeting?” Vance asked.
In this context, the authors of the article said, “It’s worth noting that Zelensky has thanked the United States on numerous occasions since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022 – expressing gratitude to Trump and President Joe Biden, to members of Congress from both parties, to U.S. defense companies and their employees, and to the American people.”
Even after the Ukrainian president left the White House early on Friday, February 28, he wrote a message of thanks on social media platform X, emphasizing the need for a just peace.
“Thank you America, thank you for your support, thank you for this visit. Thank you @POTUS, Congress, and the American people. Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for that.it,” the post reads.
CNN journalists cited at least 33 previous examples of Zelensky thanking or expressing gratitude toward the United States, its officials or its people for their support. The authors also noted that they did not review “Zelensky’s many domestic remarks in Ukrainian.”
Specifically, the journalists listed five statements by Zelensky between January and December 2022, in which he thanked Biden and the U.S. for diplomatic and military aid, as well as financial support for Ukraine. His speech in the U.S. Congress was also mentioned.
Another eight statements of gratitude were made by Zelensky in 2023 — at a press conference with Biden, during speeches at the National Archives and National Defense University, and on social media X.
In 2024, Zelensky thanked the United States 18 times — in more than ten social media posts, during meetings and conversations with Biden, while visiting the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute in the U.S., at a factory in Pennsylvania that produces some of the most critically necessary munitions for Ukraine’s fight against Russian forces.
Since the beginning of 2025, Zelensky has thanked at least twice for the unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence and for the vital role the United States has played in uniting the international community.
The meeting between the Ukrainian and U.S. presidents at the White House on February 28 was cut short after disagreements arose over facts about the war in Ukraine and trust in negotiations with Putin. A deal on mineral resources between the two countries was not signed.
Following this incident, European leaders expressed their support for Ukraine.
Commenting on the situation, President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that such disputes, like the one that occurred at the White House during his meeting with Donald Trump, are not good for either side. However, he emphasized that Ukraine “cannot change our Ukrainian attitude toward the Russians” and does not want them to continue killing Ukrainians.
Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine
Source: Zelensky thanked Americans and U.S. leaders at least 33 times for their help – CNN
