US Vice President JD Vance accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy of being ungrateful at what has overnight become the most notorious press conference of the modern era, an occasion that turned into a shouting match that included US President Donald Trump in front of the nation’s stunned press corps on February 28.

Former US ambassador to Moscow Mike McFaul pointed out that Zelenskiy has repeatedly thanked the US from the bottom of his heart, including in an address to Congress last Christmas. But McFaul asked what exactly Ukraine has to be thankful to the US for recently in a post on social media on February 28. It is reproduced below.

---
Zelenskiy has thanked Trump, Congress, and the American people many times.

But let's be clear: when Trump and Vance said that THEY are trying to help Ukraine right now, and need to be thanked for the work personally, there are reasons to wonder.

1. Team Trump has told Ukraine that they have to give up territory to Russia. Zelenskiy should thank them for that?

2. Trump has told Ukraine that they cannot join Nato. Zelenskiy should thank them for that?

3. Team Trump has said that if there is an international peacekeeping force in Ukraine, American soldiers will not participate. Zelenskiy should thank them for that?

4. Team Trump has said that they plan to reduce the number of US soldiers deployed in Europe. That's a huge gift to Putin. Zelenskiy should thank them for that?

5. Zelenskiy has been told that Ukraine must hold new presidential elections before negotiations to end the war start. Zelenskiy should thank them for that?

6. US-Russia relations were formally restarted without any preconditions at a meeting between Secretary of State Rubio and Foreign Minister Lavrov in Saudi Arabia.

7. Trump officials have hinted at sanctions relief for Russia.

8. Trump invited Russia to rejoin the G7.

9. The United States voted “No” on a UN resolution condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In doing so, Trump broke ranks with American democratic allies and sided with Russia, Belarus, North Korea, and other dictatorships. Zelenskiy should thank them for that?

The aid that Vance demanded Zelenskiy thank him for today? Vance voted against it. The GOP held it up for 6 months. Trump said that "stupid" Biden gave it.

So, what exactly should Zelenskiy be thanking Trump/Vance for? Congress, yes. The American taxpayer, yes. But Trump has not done anything for Ukraine yet. All the Trump team does is offer gifts to Putin. It's the Russian dictator who they should be demanding thanks from.

Michael McFaul is a professor at Stamford, advisor to the Ukrainian government and the former US ambassador to Russia.

This comment first appeared on X. Subscribe to his Substack here.