A Gesture of Gratitude and Kindness Can Mend the Troubling Ukraine Meeting

Public diplomatic negotiations at high stakes rarely unfold in front of an audience, yet that was exactly the case during Friday’s tense meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and President Trump at the White House.

The gathering did not go as anticipated.

What was supposed to be a cordial interaction in the Oval Office quickly escalated into a heated argument regarding security assurances for Ukraine and the extent of American support for the nation.

The Trump administration believed they had a deal ready to secure US investments in Ukraine’s rare-earth minerals. All they thought was needed was a friendly lunch, a signing ceremony, and a joint press appearance to validate the agreement.

Trump was optimistic the day before when meeting with Britain’s Keir Starmer, who seemed receptive to the arrangement. Earlier in the week, he also expressed positivity about a deal while engaging with France’s Emmanuel Macron.

Both foreign leaders demonstrated that they had learned how to effectively communicate with Trump, unlike Zelensky, who seemed to address his domestic audience more than appealing to the American public, for whom Trump had promised to advocate for an end to the war.

Zelensky chose to negotiate publicly, in real-time, with Trump, JD Vance, and Marco Rubio alongside him. With his arms crossed, Zelensky reiterated his demand for firm security commitments — NATO-level guarantees — before he would consider a ceasefire.

Such assertive bargaining is common in high-stakes negotiations.

Typically, such discussions take place behind closed doors rather than live on-air in the Oval Office.

Trump reacted visibly, as he prefers to be the one facilitating deals, not engaging in public disputes.

He maintained that the Kremlin would hesitate to undermine a ceasefire with him: “They broke it with Biden. They broke it with Obama,” he shot back at Zelensky. “They respect me.”

Vance uncomfortably pointed out the reality of Ukraine’s dwindling manpower. When he emphasized that Ukraine has a diminishing pool to compensate for its losses, Zelensky retorted, “Have you been to Ukraine?”

Zelensky felt it necessary to underscore that Ukraine has been “fighting alone,” while Trump perceived it as disrespect.

Both parties were engaged in serious negotiations but were playing distinctly different games.

Trump aimed to showcase that he was extending a lifeline to Ukraine through American investment, while Zelensky viewed it merely as a half-hearted gesture.

What should have been an uncomplicated success for both resulted in a significant deterioration of relations.

The White House called off the planned lunch with Zelensky and the signing ceremony. Ukraine’s president swiftly exited the White House without a farewell from Trump.

Trump declared the deal off. “I have determined that President Zelensky is not ready for peace with America involved,” he posted on Truth Social. “He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can return when he is prepared for peace.”

Currently, the minerals deal is effectively dead, and perhaps so are negotiations with Ukraine.

This situation poses a significant challenge for Zelensky. Trump’s proposal was a clever diplomatic maneuver, turning profit into purpose, offering a pathway to keep America engaged in Ukraine without the usual complexities associated with treaties.

Zelensky’s demands may have jeopardized that opportunity, leaving both sides at a disadvantage.

So, how can Zelensky amend this situation?

Vance, amidst the tension, offered a potential clue.

He pointed out that Zelensky has yet to express “thanks” for the billions America has invested in his fight for survival — not merely as a courtesy to Trump, but as recognition of the American taxpayers who cover the expenses.

This could be the crucial point for Zelensky: temper the hard bargaining and exude gratitude. A shift from demands to partnership could signal his readiness to negotiate.

This doesn’t require him to beg for favors. Americans need to feel that he values their assistance and is grateful for it.

He articulated similar sentiments during the Biden-Harris administration and should reiterate that appreciation when addressing Trump.

In return, Trump should graciously accept this acknowledgment.

A step back may very well be the only way to revive peace talks.

Peter Doran is an adjunct senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.