London, Aug 19 (AP) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made sure to express his gratitude to US President Donald Trump during their meeting in the Oval Office, following a challenging encounter six months prior. With peace talks in sight, Zelenskyy was keen to display appreciation and thanked Trump nine times in the first minute of their public exchange. “Thanks so much, Mr President,” Zelenskyy said, emphasizing his thanks for Trump’s efforts to stop the conflict.
Back in February, Zelenskyy's meeting with Trump had turned stressful after Vice President JD Vance criticized him for not showing enough gratitude. "You should be thanking the President for trying to bring an end to this conflict," Vance had remarked, leaving Zelenskyy taken aback. Despite Zelenskyy’s attempts to defend his appreciation for US support, the moment left its mark.
World leaders observed and learned that flattery was effective in winning over Trump. With the opportunity to make amends, gratitude became central in Zelenskyy's strategy. He extended thanks to Melania Trump for reaching out to Russian President Putin for peace and appreciated his European allies for their unified support in Washington for a ceasefire and security talks with Russia.
In another meeting with European leaders, Zelenskyy reiterated his thanks multiple times, even acknowledging a map Trump had shown him with a "Thank you for the map, by the way,” comment. Trump, in response, expressed his own gratitude during the gathering, praising several European leaders. He admired Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni as a great leader, appreciated French President Emmanuel Macron more after knowing him better, and even complimented German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s tan.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also expressed his gratitude, repeatedly thanking Trump for bringing the conflict closer to resolution. “So I thank you for that,” Starmer noted. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, referring to Trump as “dear Donald,” later called the president “amazing.”
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