Did Zelenskyy disrespect Trump? Or the other way around? What Americans said in poll

Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald on Mar 13, 2025

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Was Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy disrespectful toward President Donald Trump during their contentious Oval Office meeting?

Actually, more Americans think the reverse is true, according to new polling.

In the latest YouGov/Economist poll, 51% of respondents said Trump was disrespectful to Zelenskyy, while 29% said he was not. In contrast, 32% said the Ukrainian president was disrespectful toward Trump, while a plurality, 46%, said he was not.

The results of the poll — conducted March 9-11 with 1,699 U.S. adults — largely broke along partisan lines.

Most Democrats and independents — 82% and 54%, respectively — said Trump was disdainful to Zelenskyy, while just 19% of Republicans thought the same.

By comparison, 63% of GOP respondents said Zelenskyy lacked respect toward Trump, while 8% of Democrats and 24% of independents felt the same.

The poll — which has a margin of error of 3.2 percentage points — also found most respondents, 86%, had heard about the meeting between the two leaders.

The meeting, which took place on Feb. 28 in a room full of reporters, devolved into an animated squabble among Trump, Zelenskyy and Vice President JD Vance.

At one point, Vance asked the foreign leader, “Do you think that is respectful to come to the Oval Office of the United States of America and attack the administration that is trying to prevent the destruction of your country?”

Trump also accused Zelenskyy of lacking respect, according to an Associated Press transcript of the meeting.

“You’re gambling with World War III,” the president said. “And what you’re doing is very disrespectful to the country. This country that’s backed you far more than a lot of people said they should have.”

Following the discussion, Trump posted a message on Truth Social, again accusing Zelenskky of disrespecting the U.S. “in its cherished Oval Office.”

“I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for Peace if America is involved,” Trump added. “He can come back when he is ready for Peace.”

In the days since the meeting, Ukrainian and American officials have discussed terms for a cease-fire in its war with Russia, according to NBC News.

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