U.S. President Donald Trump recently criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for not appreciating "U.S. support," but it has been revealed that President Zelenskyy has expressed gratitude at least 33 times.
On the 1st (local time), according to CNN, President Trump criticized President Zelenskyy as "rude" and "not knowing how to be grateful" on the 28th of last month at the White House, contrary to expectations that he would raise discussions about a mineral agreement that could determine the direction of Ukraine's peace negotiations. President Trump emphasized, regarding U.S. security assistance to Ukraine, that "without U.S. support, they would have lost in two weeks and should be thankful," also pointing out that it was "rude."
However, CNN noted in its own fact-check that President Zelenskyy has expressed gratitude to the U.S. and American leaders at least 33 times since the outbreak of war three years ago, indicating that President Trump's remarks were inaccurate. According to CNN's tally, President Zelenskyy expressed thanks seven times in direct meetings with former President Joe Biden, President Trump's predecessor.
President Zelenskyy has also thanked the United States and the U.S. President several times on X (formerly Twitter). He directly expressed gratitude to President Trump, who succeeded in his second term. After first meeting President Trump on Dec. 7 last year at the Élysée Palace in France, facilitated by President Emmanuel Macron, President Zelenskyy stated on X, "President Trump was firm as always. Thank you."
After a call with President Trump on the 12th, he stated, "We have talked long about the opportunity to achieve peace and discussed our readiness to cooperate as a team, as well as about Ukraine's technological capabilities in advanced fields, including drones," and expressed gratitude to President Trump for showing interest in what can be achieved together.