Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy offered President Donald Trump a golf club belonging to a wounded soldier during his Washington visit, Kyiv announced Tuesday.
The club once belonged to Kostiantyn Kartavtsev, a serviceman who lost a leg in the early months of Russia’s invasion while rescuing fellow troops.
Trump, an avid golfer, accepted the symbolic gift and presented Zelenskyy with ceremonial keys to the White House.
The exchange signaled a warmer tone compared to Zelenskyy’s February visit, which ended in a heated clash with Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
Zelensky gives Trump golf putter from Ukrainian soldier who lost leg in combat https://t.co/iiSGcTTLyb pic.twitter.com/bKkdxBVnAQ
— New York Post (@nypost) August 19, 2025
Zelenskyy also delivered a personal letter from his wife, Olena, to First Lady Melania Trump, thanking her for urging Vladimir Putin to spare Ukrainian children.
Later, veteran group United by Golf released a video of Trump praising Kartavtsev’s swing and reaffirming U.S. support for Ukraine’s recovery.
President Zelenskyy gifted US President Trump a golf club from Ukrainian soldier Kostiantyn Kartavtsev, who lost his leg saving comrades in 2022 and used golf in his recovery.
— UNITED24 Media (@United24media) August 19, 2025
1/2 pic.twitter.com/dnn0WP3Cp4
