‘Thank you America… Ukraine needs just…’: Zelenskyy tweets after inconclusive talks with Trump

Volodymyr Zelenskyy-Donald Trump Meeting Highlights: “Thank you America, thank you for your support, thank you for this visit.” Those were the opening words of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s post on microblogging site X (formerly Twitter), after his talks with US President Donald Trump over a potential Ukraine-US critical minerals deal ended in the Ukrainian leader leaving the White House abruptly.

“Thank you @POTUS, Congress, and the American people. Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for that,” wrote the Ukrainian President.

The discussion began on a mild note, with both leaders patiently listening to each other amid a barrage of questions from reporters, but turned awry minutes into the conversation when Trump noticed that Zelenskyy was not open to the idea of cease fire in the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war.

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.

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 28, 2025

Trump interrupted Zelenskyy repeatedly when the Ukrainian leader disagreed with the idea of cease fire with Russia. On the other hand, Zelenskyy chose not to respond to questions from reporters asking him if a peace deal to resolve his nation's war with Russia was now dead.

What would a US-Ukraine deal mean for the world’s largest economy?

The potential deal—that did not come through—would provide the US access to Ukraine's rare earth minerals.

It would be part of a broader effort to put an end to a three-year-old conflict between Ukraine and Russia that started when Russia invaded its neighbour.

‘Gambling with WWIII’

“I think it’s good for the American people to see what’s going on. I think it’s very important. That’s why I kept this going so long. You have to be thankful…,” said Trump during the meeting. 

Trump also accused Zelenskyy of “gambling” with what could be the third World War, after the Ukrainian President called Russian President Vladimir Putin a “killer” and a “terrorist”.

The 47th American President criticised Zelenskyy for being “disrespectful”. “You’re gambling with World War III, and what you’re doing is very disrespectful to the country, this country that’s backed you far more than a lot of people say they should have,” Trump told his Ukrainian counterpart.

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Zelenskyy said Ukraine remains committed to peace.

The talks materialised roughly a week after Zelenskyy said Trump was "living in a disinformation space" created by Russia.

'Our relationship with American President is more than just two leaders,' tweets Zelenskyy 

The Ukrainian President later wrote in a seris of tweets that his country's relationsip with POTUS goes beyond two leaders. 

"It's a historic and solid bond between our peoples," he posted.

Our relationship with the American President is more than just two leaders; it’s a historic and solid bond between our peoples. That’s why I always begin with words of gratitude from our nation to the American nation.

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 1, 2025

We are very grateful to the United States for all the support. I’m thankful to President Trump, Congress for their bipartisan support, and American people. Ukrainians have always appreciated this support, especially during these three years of full-scale invasion. pic.twitter.com/Z9FlWjF101

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 1, 2025

Zelenskyy can return when he's ready for peace, says Trump

With inputs from agencies