US Vice President JD Vance, in an interview aired on 20/8, said he was the one who greeted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Oval Office before their meeting on 18/8.

"I spoke with him, saying 'Mr. President, as long as you behave yourself, I won't say anything'. And he chuckled. It was a good way to break the ice, to ease the tension," Vance recounted.

President Trump and Zelensky then met at the White House to discuss ending the war. Vice President Vance remained mostly silent throughout the meeting. The two presidents later met with leaders of several European countries.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (black suit), US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance (seated to Trump's left) during a meeting in the Oval Office on 18/8. Photo: Reuters

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (black suit), US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance (seated to Trump's left) during a meeting in the Oval Office on 18/8. Photo: Reuters

In February, when President Zelensky first visited the White House during Trump's second term, it was Vance who contributed to the tense atmosphere by criticizing the Ukrainian leader for being "disrespectful" and "ungrateful." A heated exchange ensued, angering Trump, who then asked Zelensky to leave the White House.

The atmosphere of the second White House meeting between the US and Ukrainian leaders was generally more cheerful and cordial. Zelensky praised the US leader for Trump's efforts to end the war, instead of questioning the conflict situation or the terms of the ongoing peace process, despite their disagreements over territorial concessions. Zelensky also focused more on their points of agreement and mostly let Trump speak.

Most importantly, perhaps, Zelensky wore a suit to the meeting instead of the military-style attire he wore the previous time. Trump complimented the Ukrainian leader's attire and seemed amused when Zelensky joked with an American reporter about his clothing.

President Trump agreed when a reporter complimented Zelensky's attire at the White House. Video: X/RapidResponse47

A few days after the Oval Office spat in February, Trump suspended military aid to Ukraine. A few months later, the White House announced the suspension of certain key weapons supplies to Ukraine, but reversed the decision when Trump expressed disappointment with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Zelensky's new approach seemed to add to the optimism about the peace process. Ukraine was promised security guarantees and the opportunity for weapons aid, and Trump also raised the prospect of a three-way meeting with Putin and Zelensky, though the chances of a peace agreement remain unclear.

Huyen Le (According to Fox News, Newsweek)