Zelensky Shares Video Expressing 'Gratitude' To US Post Showdown With Trump | WATCH

Days after a dispute with former US President Donald Trump over not being "thankful" for America's support in Ukraine's war against Russia, President Volodymyr Zelensky reaffirmed his appreciation for the United States' assistance on Monday.

In a video message posted on X, Zelensky expressed his gratitude, just two days after a tense exchange at the White House, where Trump and Vice President JD Vance criticised him for his perceived lack of appreciation and refusal to accept their proposed peace terms.

"Of course, we understand the importance of America, and we are grateful for all the support we've received from the United States. There has not been a day when we haven't felt gratitude. It's gratitude for the preservation of our independence - our resilience in Ukraine is based on what our partners are doing for us - and for their own security," he said following a key summit on the Russia-Ukraine war in London.

"Everyone is united on the main issue - for peace to be real, we need real security guarantees. And this is the position of all of Europe - the entire continent, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and Turkey," he added.

The security summit was hosted by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and attended by 18 world leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The discussions focused on the ongoing conflict, which began in 2022 when Russian President Vladimir Putin launched the invasion of Ukraine.

"What we need is peace, not endless war. And that's why we say security guarantees are the key to this," Zelensky stated.

Trump-Zelensky Confrontation

On Friday, Donald Trump's first meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky since returning to office in January started on a cordial note but quickly escalated into a heated argument in front of the international media.

The confrontation began when Vice President JD Vance emphasised the need for diplomacy to end the war in Ukraine, while also accusing Zelensky of not being sufficiently "thankful" for US aid. Zelensky responded by questioning the push for diplomacy with Russia, leading to a sharp rebuke from Trump.

Trump chastised Zelensky, asserting that without American support, Ukraine would have already been overrun by Russian forces.

Following the tense exchange, Zelensky was asked to leave and departed in his motorcade, cancelling a planned joint press conference.

Additionally, the United States and Ukraine did not proceed with signing a minerals agreement, which had been expected to be a significant step towards a potential resolution to the conflict.