In a post on X, Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed gratitude to the US “for all the support.”
He noted that he is thankful to US President Donald Trump, Congress for their bipartisan support and American people.
He added that Ukrainians have always appreciated this support, especially during these three years of full-scale invasion. “America’s help has been vital in helping us survive, and I want to acknowledge that,” he noted.
This follows after Trump and Zelenskyy made headlines after their heated clash in the Oval Office on Friday, February 28, 2025.
He stated that despite the tough dialogue, US and Ukraine remain strategic partners. “But we need to be honest and direct with each other to truly understand our shared goals,” he added.
He asserted that it’s crucial for Ukraine to have Trump’s support.
“He wants to end the war, but no one wants peace more than we do. We are the ones living this war in Ukraine. It’s a fight for our freedom, for our very survival.
“As President Reagan once said: ‘Peace is not just the absence of war.’ We’re talking about just and lasting peace – freedom, justice, and human rights for everyone. A ceasefire won’t work with Putin. He has broken ceasefires 25 times over the last 10 years. A real peace is the only solution.”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Also, Zelenskyy expressed readiness to sign the minerals agreement, and it will be the first step toward security guarantees.
However, he pointed out that it is “not enough, and we need more than just that.” He stressed that a ceasefire without security guarantees is dangerous for Ukraine, adding, “We’ve been fighting for three years, and Ukrainian people need to know that America is on our side.”
“I cannot change Ukraine’s position on Russia. The Russians are killing us. Russia is the enemy, and that’s the reality we face. Ukraine wants peace, but it must be a just and lasting peace. For that, we need to be strong at the negotiation table. Peace can only come when we know we have security guarantees, when our army is strong, and our partners are with us.
“We want peace. That’s why I came to the United States, and visited President Trump. The deal on minerals is just a first step toward security guarantees and getting closer to peace. Our situation is tough, but we can’t just stop fighting and not having guarantees that Putin will not return tomorrow.”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Furthermore, he admitted that it will be difficult without the US support “but we can’t lose our will, our freedom, or our people.” “If we cannot be accepted to NATO, we need some clear structure of security guarantees from our allies in the US,” he noted.
“Europe is ready for contingencies and to help fund our large army. We also need the US role in defining security guarantees – what kind, what volume, and when.
“Once these guarantees are in place, we can talk with Russia, Europe, and the US about diplomacy. War alone is too long, and we don’t have enough weapons to push them out entirely.”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
He admitted that it’s understandable that the US might look for dialogue with Putin, stating, “But the US has always spoken about ‘peace through strength’”
Zelenskyy added that humans and human rights come first. “We’re truly thankful. We want only strong relations with America, and I really hope we will have them,” he said.
A Missed Opportunity
Meanwhile, Republican Congressman, Mike Lawler called Friday’s meeting a “missed opportunity.”
He also said that it was “unfortunate” that the row spilled out into the public.
“The only winner here was Vladimir Putin and Russia, because a deal did not come to be, which is also why I believe it’s critically important for Zelenskyy and Trump to get back together and work towards finalising an agreement.
“When this conflict does come to an end, and it will at some point, Ukraine is going to need significant US and European investment to rebuild.”
Mike Lawler
Don Bacon, a moderate Republican congressman from Nebraska, threw his support behind Kyiv.
“A bad day for America’s foreign policy. Ukraine wants independence, free markets and rule of law.
“It wants to be part of the west. Russia hates us and our western values. We should be clear that we stand for freedom.”
Don Bacon
However, there were others on Trump’s side. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham called for Zelenskyy to change his tune or resign.
Graham told reporters, “What I saw in the Oval Office was disrespectful, and I don’t know if we can ever do business with Zelenskyy again.”
Tennessee Senator, Bill Hagerty, who was ambassador to Japan during Trump’s first term, posted on X, “The United States of America will no longer be taken for granted.”
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