The President of Ukraine, Volodimir Zelenski, in the Oval Office, with US President Donald Trump. Photo: Aaron Schwartz / Upi / Profimedia
Volodimir Zelenski offered Donald Trump during his visit to Washington this week, a bay cross that belonged to an Ukrainian military man, Kievul announced on Tuesday.
Trump, passionate about the golf, accepted the gift and offered Zelenski, on the other hand, the symbolic keys of the White House, said the Ukrainian leader's office.
The cordial exchange marks a radical change compared to February, when Zelenski left the White House earlier, after a television dispute in contradiction with Trump and US Vice -President JD Vance.
Since then, Zelenski has tried to repair the relationship, publicly praising Trump and appreciating his efforts to obtain peace.
“The President of Ukraine offered the president of the United States a bay cross,” Zelenski's office said.
The crosa previously belonged to Kostiantyn Kartavtsev, a Ukrainian soldier who “lost a foot in the first months of the large-scale invasion of Russia, while saving his comrades,” according to the same source.
Zelenski showed Trump a video with Kartavtsev, the presidential office said.
Later, on Tuesday, the organization of Ukrainian veterans United by Golf has published a video in which Trump keeps the crosa and thanks Kartavtsev.
“I just saw your blow. I know the golf and I can tell you that you have a very good blow,” Trump said. “You are an extraordinary man. Continue playing golf and do everything you want. Your country is a great country, and we try to help her recover.”
Під час зустрічі в овальному кабінеті президент Володимир зеленський подарував дональду траму клюшку дольф г. Її передав молодший сержант збройних сил україни костянтин картавцев.
Трамп жалюгідний, але ок. pic.twitter.com/7k2k9urmwn
– Info (@info53917080) August 19, 2025
Zelenski also brought a letter to Melania Trump from her wife, Olena Zelenska, in which Ukraine's first lady thanks the US president's wife for Vladimir Putin, in which she urged her to save the children's lives.
Foreign leaders visiting the White House have tried to conquer Trump with various gifts. At the end of February, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer made an invitation for an official visit, accompanied by a letter signed by King Charles III.
