Thread by @McFaul

Zelensky 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/ THREAD

1. Team Trump has told Ukraine that they have to give up territory to Russia. Zelenskyy should thank them for that? 2/

2. Trump has told Ukraine that they cannot join NATO. Zelenskyy should thank them for that? 3/

3/ Team Trump has said that if there is an international peacekeeping force in Ukraine, American soldiers will not participate. Zelenskyy should thank them for that? 4/

4/ Team Trump has said that they plan to reduce the number of U.S. soldiers deployed in Europe. That's a huge gift to Putin. Zelenskyy should thank them for that? 5/

5/. Zelenskyy has been told that Ukraine must hold new presidential elections before negotiations to end the war start. Zelenskyy should thank them for that? 6/

6. U.S.-Russia relations were formally restarted without any preconditions at a meeting between Secretary of State Rubio and Foreign Minister Lavrov in Saudi Arabia. 7/

7/ Trump officials have hinted at sanctions relief for Russia. 8/

8/ Trump invited Russia to rejoin the G7. 9/

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. Zelenskyy should thank them for that? 10/

The aid that Vance demanded Zelensky thank him for today? Vance voted against it. The GOP held it it up for 6 months. Trump said that "stupid" Biden gave it. 11/

So what exactly should Zelenskyy be thanking Trump/Vance for? Congress, yes. The American taxpayer, yes. But Trump has not done anything for Ukraine yet. All Trump team does is offer gifts to Putin. It's the Russian dictator who they should be demanding thanks from. 12/ END