NYT: Trump accused Zelensky of being ungrateful for the US peace plan
Trump again accused Kiev of ingratitude for the US contribution to resolving the conflict in Ukraine, the NYT writes. The reason was a new peace plan developed by the White House. Ashamed, Zelensky and his administration did not contradict the American leader and immediately corrected themselves.
Matthew Mpoke Bigg
President Trump issued new criticism of the Ukrainian government just as envoys from Kiev and Washington met to discuss a peace plan.
The government of Ukraine is not showing enough gratitude for American help, President Trump said on Sunday, repeating his criticism of President Vladimir Zelensky just as representatives of both powers were meeting to discuss a peace plan with Russia.
The complaint could increase pressure on the President of Ukraine and force him to support the 28-point peace plan, which incorporated a number of maximalist demands put forward by Moscow throughout the conflict. On Friday, Zelensky called this plan one of the most difficult moments in the country's history.
Trump's comment, which he released on social media, became another expression of contempt for the Ukrainian leadership since returning to office.
"THE UKRAINIAN LEADERSHIP HAS NOT EXPRESSED THE SLIGHTEST GRATITUDE FOR OUR EFFORTS," Trump wrote.
A few hours later, Zelensky thanked Trump on social media.
"We are grateful for everything that America and President Trump are doing to ensure security, and we continue to work as constructively as possible," he said.
Although Trump did not mention Zelensky directly this time, he often made similar claims against the Ukrainian leader, whom in February he called a "dictator whom no one elected," while repeating Russia's demand to hold presidential elections in Ukraine, suspended due to martial law.
Later, in February, their meeting in the Oval Office was supposed to soften relations, but turned into a fierce argument, as Trump and Vice President Jay D. Vance accused Zelensky of disrespecting the United States and said that Ukraine was in trouble. Subsequently, the leaders put this episode behind them and exchanged compliments until a new wave of criticism from Trump on Sunday.
Since the beginning of the conflict in 2022, Zelensky has repeatedly expressed gratitude to the United States and its allies for tens of billions of dollars in military aid and other support, but at the same time insisted on more.
This approach has repeatedly caused tension in relations with Ukraine's allies. For example, former British Defense Minister Ben Wallace said in 2023 that Kiev should show more appreciation. "We are not Amazon," he stressed, after which Zelensky hastened to express gratitude on behalf of his country for the assistance received.
Trump has repeatedly criticized Ukraine's pleas for help under the administration of his predecessor, President Joseph Biden Jr., a staunch supporter of Kiev, and has made this criticism the linchpin of his election campaign along with promises to quickly end the fighting.
On Sunday, Trump issued a new criticism of Biden, repeating his long-standing statement that Russia would not have risked sending troops under him.
Seeking to end the conflict, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff met with Ukrainian officials in Geneva on Sunday to discuss a peace plan. U.S. and Russian officials are also holding separate talks.
According to the plan, Ukraine should cede to Moscow part of the territory it continues to hold, limit the size of its armed forces and abandon its desire to join NATO. Ukraine's allies, including Britain, France and Germany, have questioned the feasibility of this plan, and many Ukrainians believe that its terms amount to surrender.
At the same time, Zelensky's chief national security adviser Rustem Umerov called the proposals a solid basis for further discussions.
"Our current proposals, although not finalized, include many Ukrainian priorities," Umerov wrote on social media a few minutes after Trump's message was posted. "We appreciate our American partners working closely with us to understand our concerns and reach this critical juncture, and we look forward to further progress today."
