Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's meeting with President Donald Trump on Monday represented a marked departure from his disastrous meeting earlier this month, and one analysis revealed what might have been his strategy — an abundance of gratitude.
Trump and Zelensky met at the White House to discuss an end to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, and included several European leaders. Trump has pushed for a peace deal that would involve significant concessions from Ukraine.
During their last meeting in February, Zelenskyy earned a swift rebuke for not wearing a suit to his meeting with Trump. Right-wing reporter Brian Glenn asked Zelenskyy if he owned a suit and criticized him for not wearing one, suggesting it was disrespectful. Trump jabbed Zelenskyy, joking, "He's all dressed up today." Vice President JD Vance appeared to take issue, particularly over his lack of a tie.
Zelenskyy, who said he wears military-style or utilitarian clothing in solidarity with Ukraine's soldiers, noticeably changed styles on Monday, donning a black suit for the occasion.
Additionally, Zelenskyy appeared to take cues from other world leaders in overtly thanking Trump, according to a Washington Post analysis.
"Zelensky thanked Trump for hosting him and other world leaders at the White House on Monday to try to end Russia’s war against Ukraine. He thanked him for introducing him to the other guests and the media. He thanked him for a 'very good conversation.' And he thanked him for giving him a map of his own country," wrote Post reporter Jonathan Edwards.
Edwards tallied 11 occasions that Zelenskyy thanked Trump in just 4 ½ minutes, in which he addressed him publicly at multiple meetings.
During their first meeting, Vance erupted at the Ukrainian president for just that, demanding to know, “Have you said thank you once, in this entire meeting?”
Zelenskyy was ultimately booted from the White House and expressed regret over how the meeting went.