Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has publicly expressed his gratitude to US leaders and the American people for supporting Ukraine since the start of russia’s full‑scale invasion at least 33 times. Journalists have cited dozens of examples where the Ukrainian president thanked the United States.
This was reported by CNN, which conducted a fact‑check following statements made by US President Donald Trump and Vice President Jay DiVenza during a meeting with the head of the Ukrainian state.
During negotiations at the White House on February 28, Trump told Zelensky that he was allegedly “not thankful enough” for US assistance. “You should be grateful. You have no trump cards,” he said, later adding, “You should be more thankful.” DiVenza, in turn, asked, “Did you thank them for the entire meeting?”
CNN journalists emphasize that Zelensky has repeatedly expressed his thanks to American leaders and the public. “He has thanked both Trump and (former) President Joe Biden, as well as members of Congress from both parties, American defense companies and their employees, and American citizens,” the report notes.
Even after the Washington meeting, Zelensky posted on social media X:
“Thank you, America, thank you for your support, thank you for this visit. Thank you, @POTUS, and the American people. Ukraine needs a just and lasting peace, and we are working for exactly for that.”
In its study, CNN cites dozens of examples where the Ukrainian president expressed gratitude to the United States for their support. For instance, in 2022 journalists recorded at least five instances when Zelensky thanked Biden and the US for military, diplomatic, and financial assistance to Ukraine – including his address to the US Congress and official statements throughout the year.
In 2023, Zelensky publicly thanked the US eight more times – at press conferences with Biden, during speeches at the National Archives and the National Defense University, and on social media. Last year, he did so at least 18 times, including during visits to the US, meetings with Biden, visits to the Presidential Fund and the Ronald Reagan Institute, and at a plant in Pennsylvania where critically important munitions for the Ukrainian army are produced.
At the beginning of 2025, Zelensky expressed his gratitude to the US twice more for supporting Ukraine’s independence and for its key role in consolidating the international community. CNN notes that its study did not include the numerous expressions of thanks the Ukrainian president delivered in Ukrainian.
Author: Danylo Pievchev