It was one of those moments that told you more than any press release or summit briefing ever could. On Monday, during a whirlwind series of meetings in Washington, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stood across from Donald Trump and delivered public remarks that lasted just over four minutes. In that short time, he thanked Trump eleven different times.
For anyone watching, it felt less like diplomacy and more like survival. Zelensky, whose country has endured nearly three years of war against Russia, appeared to understand the cold reality: Ukraine’s future now hinges less on European promises and more on Trump’s willingness to strike a deal that could redefine the region.
Zelensky wasn’t alone. One by one, other European and NATO leaders lined up to shower Trump with gratitude. They spoke of his “leadership,” his “courage,” his “commitment to peace.” On the surface, it sounded like ordinary summit rhetoric. But look deeper, and it revealed the desperation of leaders who know the real decisions won’t be made in Brussels, Berlin, or even Kyiv but in Washington and Moscow.
Zelensky’s repeated thanks weren’t just words of courtesy; they were strategic signals. He’s acutely aware that Trump has the power to dictate Ukraine’s future whether through a ceasefire that freezes Russian gains, or through pressure on Kyiv to accept concessions it has long resisted. For Zelensky, over-thanking may have been less about respect and more about buying time, keeping Trump’s favor, and protecting his nation from being sidelined.
The uncomfortable truth is that gratitude won’t change hard geopolitics. European leaders can praise Trump all they want, but Ukraine’s fate is already being discussed in a room with just two chairs: one for Trump, one for Putin. For Kyiv, this week’s summit was less about shaping the future and more about staying visible in a conversation where its voice is getting smaller by the day.
So was Zelensky’s chorus of thanks a sign of respect or a cry of desperation? Either way, it was a moment that revealed just how fragile Ukraine’s position has become.
Also Read: Starmer at the White House: Political Theater While Ukraine Gets Sold Out
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