Zelensky’s improved attitude at the White House may be a good sign for peace negotiations

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s attitude of gratitude at the White House on Monday may perhaps signal a step in the right direction for Ukraine – and peace at large

Opinion-editorial by Summer Lane | August 19, 2025

In his meeting with President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky declined to wear a tie, but he did appear to return to the White House with a newly acquired attitude of gratitude – a stark departure from his flippant behavior in February.

Zelensky arrived roughly 15 minutes late to the White House on Monday, where he was greeted by President Donald Trump. Zelensky wore a dark suit without a tie, marking a significant improvement from his first visit to the White House earlier this year, where he wore casual attire.

Months ago, Zelensky sat with folded arms and a pretentious attitude, asking for more handouts from the American people to sustain his war efforts against Russia.

Vice President J.D. Vance scorched Zelensky’s behavior as “disrespectful.”

Trump told Zelensky then that the European leader was in “no position to dictate what we’re going to feel.”

The fireworks that went off in the Oval Office between Vance, Trump, and Zelensky culminated in the European president’s dismissal from the White House, and it has remained difficult to get Zelensky to cooperate with peace efforts.

Now, after months of diligent work and consistency, the Trump administration has managed to recalibrate its relationship with Zelensky, Europe, and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Zelensky shaped up this week

Regardless of politics, Zelensky’s appearance and demeanor at the White House on Monday were a huge improvement from his previous visit.

In February, one of the most pointed accusations Vice President Vance lobbed at him was his lack of gratitude for what America had provided for his country.

“Have you said thank you once? …Offer some words of appreciation for the United States of America and the president who is trying to save your country,” Vance said.

This week, Zelensky was careful. He thanked President Trump constantly for his efforts to bring peace to Eastern Europe. “Thank you for this invitation and thank you very much for your efforts,” he said in his opening comments to the press.

“Thank you” was very much the theme of Zelensky’s return trip to D.C., and for good reason: it’s not only Trump he had to face, but a coalition of European nations, including the EU and NATO.

Trump’s meeting with Putin in Alaska was scarcely 48 hours in the rearview mirror when Zelensky rolled up to the White House, indicating changing tides in what has otherwise been a bloody gridlock between Ukraine and Russia.

“We’re all working for the same goal,” Trump said during his meeting with European leaders. “We want to stop the killing [and] get this settled.”

What’s next

Trump’s efforts are remarkable – only he could gather the world’s leaders less than three days after a meeting with Putin and direct them toward one, unifying goal. And yet, even amid his impactful work, he made it clear on Monday that a peaceful resolution in the war comes down to Zelensky’s cooperation.

“Ultimately, this is a decision that can only be made by President Zelensky and the people of Ukraine,” Trump remarked.

While the president talked optimistically about setting up a trilateral meeting between himself, Putin, and Zelensky on Monday, at the conclusion of his lengthy talks with European leaders, he announced that a bilateral meeting would be set up first.

“Everyone is very happy about the possibility of PEACE for Russia/Ukraine,” the president wrote on Truth Social.

He continued, “At the conclusion of the meetings, I called President Putin, and began the arrangements for a meeting, at a location to be determined, between President Putin and President Zelenskyy. After that meeting takes place, we will have a Trilat, which would be the two Presidents, plus myself.”

Trump said this was a “very good, early step” in the Biden-era war, and it truly was a remarkable leap forward for the sake of diplomacy.

If Putin and Zelensky can meet and come to an agreement on moving forward to a trilateral meeting, it is likely that this war will be resolved soon. Peace or war waits for no man, and right now, momentum is on Trump’s side in negotiations.

Zelensky will either play ball or he won’t. Based on his appearance and behavior at the White House on Monday, it appears that he is leaning in a cooperative direction, pressured by both Trump and European leaders to come to a quick resolution with Putin.