European leaders have expressed strong support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky following his tense encounter with former U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House.
Leaders from Germany, France, Spain, Poland, and the Netherlands took to social media to reaffirm their backing for Ukraine. Zelensky responded to each message, personally thanking them for their solidarity.
Zelensky has since traveled to London for a summit hosted by UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, whose government has emphasized its unwavering commitment to Ukraine, according to Downing Street.
The show of European unity follows a heated exchange in the Oval Office on Friday, where Trump told Zelensky to negotiate a settlement with Russia or risk losing U.S. support.
During the confrontation, Trump criticized Zelensky for not showing enough gratitude for the military and political aid the U.S. has provided to Ukraine in its war against Russia. Trump warned him that failing to appreciate this assistance was akin to “gambling with World War Three.”
As international leaders reacted to the confrontation, social media was flooded with messages of support for Ukraine, including statements from the prime ministers of Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Zelensky responded to each one with a simple but direct acknowledgment: “Thank you for your support.”
French President Emmanuel Macron strongly condemned Russia’s actions, 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.”
Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof reiterated the Netherlands’ commitment, writing, “We support Ukraine now more than ever. We want a lasting peace and an end to the war of aggression started by Russia. For Ukraine and its people, and for Europe.”
Germany’s outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz stressed the Ukrainian people’s desire for peace, remarking, “No one wants peace more than the citizens of Ukraine.” His expected successor, Friedrich Merz, reinforced this stance, stating, “We stand with Ukraine” and emphasizing that the world “must never confuse aggressor and victim in this terrible war.”
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez kept his message straightforward: “Ukraine, Spain stands with you.” Meanwhile, Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk addressed Zelensky and the Ukrainian people directly, stating, “Dear [Zelensky], dear Ukrainian friends, you are not alone.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen praised Zelensky’s leadership, stating, “Your dignity honors the bravery of the Ukrainian people.”
Beyond Europe, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau assured, “Canada will continue to stand with Ukraine and Ukrainians in achieving a just and lasting peace.”
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese echoed similar sentiments, writing, “Australia has proudly supported the brave people of Ukraine in their struggle to defend their sovereignty against the brutality of Russian aggression and in support of international law.”
Additional statements of support came from Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Moldova, Romania, Sweden, and Slovenia.
However, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán offered a different perspective, siding with Trump. He posted, “Strong men make peace, weak men make war. Today President @realDonaldTrump stood bravely for peace. Even if it was difficult for many to digest. Thank you, Mr. President!”
Following his confrontation with Trump, Zelensky left the White House earlier than expected. Nevertheless, he later expressed gratitude to Trump on social media, writing, “Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for that.”
On Saturday, Zelensky took to the messaging platform Telegram to emphasize the significance of global attention on Ukraine. “It is very important for us that Ukraine is heard and that no one forgets about it, neither during the war nor after,” he wrote.
He added, “It is important for people in Ukraine to know that they are not alone, that their interests are represented in every country, in every corner of the world.”
In an interview with Fox News after his White House visit, Zelensky admitted that his dispute with Trump was “not good for both sides” but expressed hope that their working relationship could be repaired.
The tense encounter unfolded as the two leaders were set to sign an agreement granting the U.S. access to Ukraine’s deposits of rare earth minerals. However, the conversation took a turn when U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who was present in the meeting, suggested that the war needed to be concluded through diplomatic means.
Zelensky pushed back, asking, “What kind of diplomacy?” He referenced a 2019 ceasefire agreement negotiated before Russia’s full-scale invasion, a deal that took place while Moscow was still backing separatist forces in eastern Ukraine.
Vance, in response, accused Zelensky of being disrespectful and “litigating” the conflict in front of the media. The conversation grew increasingly tense as both sides interrupted each other.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has since called for an urgent summit between the U.S., Europe, and other allies to address the situation in Ukraine.
On Sunday, Sir Keir Starmer is set to host critical talks at Downing Street, where European leaders will discuss potential strategies for enforcing a future peace agreement.
The UK Prime Minister believes that any lasting settlement will require U.S. military assets to play a role in monitoring and enforcing the terms. This could include intelligence-sharing, surveillance efforts, and possibly even air support to deter further aggression from Russian President Vladimir Putin.