Just hours after Ukraine’s president and his US counterpart and vice president argued live on TV on Friday, European leaders voiced their full support for the eastern European country.
Just hours after the terse exchange at the White House between Ukraine’s President Volodymyir Zelenskyy on one side and US President Trump and Vice President JD Vance on the other, European leaders were quick to voice their full support for the war-torn country.
What the world hoped would be a productive meeting between leaders of the two countries after they traded jabs last week quickly turned into a heated spat, resulting in a shouting match in the White House’s Oval Office.
Trump berated Zelenskyy, saying: “You’re gambling with World War III, and what you’re doing is very disrespectful to the country, this country that’s backed you far more than a lot of people say they should have.”
Shortly after the heated and at times angry words mainly aimed at Zelenskyy, Europe’s top politicians took to X to express their continued unconditional support for Zelenskyy and Ukraine.
“Ukraine is Europe! We stand by Ukraine,” the EU’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stated.
“Today, it became clear that the free world needs a new leader. It is up to us, Europeans, to take this challenge,” she said.
“Your dignity honors the bravery of the Ukrainian people … You are never alone dear President Zelenskyy,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen posted.
Other top officials from the European Union also mirrored von der Leyen’s post, further reiterating Brussels’ support.
Friedrich Merz, who is likely to become Germany’s new chancellor, posted: “We must never confuse agressor and victim in this terrible war.”
Meanwhile, outgoing German leader Olaf Scholz emphasised that no one wants peace more than Ukraine, adding that Kyiv can fully rely on Berlin and Europe.
Many other European leaders, including those of France, UK, Poland, Spain, Ireland, Iceland, Germany, Lithuania, Moldova and Sweden chimed in with their support as well.
French President Emmanuel Macron did not mince words, stating, “There is an aggressor: Russia. There is a victim: Ukraine.”
“We were right to help Ukraine and sanction Russia three years ago — and to keep doing so.”
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he “retains unwavering support for Ukraine,” in a statement from 10 Downing Street on Friday evening, while his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez wrote on X “Ukraine, Europe stands with you” in three languages — Spanish, English and Ukrainian.
But Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban went against the tide of support for Ukraine and thanked Trump.
Trump took to his own social media platform, Truth Social, shortly after the meeting with Zelenskyy, saying that the rare minerals deal was off.
“I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations,” the US president said.
“I don’t want advantage, I want peace. He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for peace.”
“Thank you America, thank you for your support, thank you for this visit. Thank you president, Congress, and the American people,” the Ukrainian leader said in a post-meeting message on X on Friday.
“Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for that.”
Additional sources • AP
