European leaders voiced strong support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after a heated exchange with former President Donald Trump, who criticized Zelensky for not being “thankful.” EU leaders assured Zelensky he is “never alone,” advocating for continued collaboration towards a just peace. French President Emmanuel Macron labeled Russia as the aggressor, while German officials emphasized distinguishing between aggressor and victim. Various leaders, including those from Italy and the Netherlands, called for unity and immediate summits to address the war. Meanwhile, U.S. Democrats accused Trump of aiding Putin. Overall, Ukrainian officials stressed the necessity of guarantees for peace.
Paris, France:
European leaders expressed their solidarity with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky following a heated exchange on Friday with Donald Trump that reverberated globally, raising concerns about the ongoing efforts to resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
The US president openly criticized Zelensky for not showing enough gratitude, later claiming the Ukrainian leader was “not prepared for peace” and had “disrespected” the United States in the “cherished Oval Office.”
Here are some political responses from across the globe.
EU: ‘New leader’
European Union leaders Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa reassured Zelensky that he was “never alone”.
“Be strong, be brave, be fearless,” stated the European commission and council presidents in a joint social media announcement, urging Zelensky: “We will continue to collaborate with you for a fair and lasting peace.”
The bloc’s foreign affairs chief, Kaja Kallas, raised doubts about U.S. leadership within the transatlantic alliance involving European nations and Washington.
“Today, it became evident that the free world requires a new leader. It is up to us, Europeans, to embrace this challenge,” she tweeted.
France: Russia the ‘aggressor’
French President Emmanuel Macron labeled Russia as the “aggressor” in the Ukrainian conflict.
“Russia is the aggressor. Ukraine is the aggrieved party,” Macron told reporters, emphasizing: “We were right to support Ukraine and impose sanctions on Russia three years ago, and we will continue to do so.”
He subsequently remarked that “if anyone is contemplating World War III, it’s Vladimir Putin,” in response to Trump’s accusations directed at Zelensky.
Germany: Don’t ‘confuse’
Germany’s prospective next chancellor Friedrich Merz offered his backing to Zelensky in a post on X.
“We must never mix up the aggressor and the victim in this dreadful war,” Merz stated. Outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock also reiterated their support for Ukraine, with Baerbock declaring that Kyiv’s “pursuit of peace & security is our own.”
Hungary: Trump stood for ‘peace’
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a close ally of both Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, expressed gratitude to Trump for standing “bravely for peace.”
“Strong men forge peace, while weak men breed war,” Orban posted on X.
Italy: Summit needed
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni urged the United States, Europe, and their allies to convene regarding the Ukraine conflict “without delay.”
“A summit without delay is necessary… to openly discuss how we plan to address today’s significant challenges, commencing with Ukraine, which we have collectively defended over the past few years,” she remarked.
Netherlands: Support ‘undiminished’
“Dutch support for Ukraine remains unwavering. Especially now,” Prime Minister Dick Schoof said on X, adding, “We seek lasting peace and an end to the war of aggression initiated by Russia.”
Poland: ‘Not alone’
Strong Kyiv ally Poland reached out to reassure Ukrainians after the altercation.
“Dear Ukrainian friends, you are not alone,” Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk communicated on X in a message directed at Zelensky.
Spain: ‘Stands with’ Ukraine
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez affirmed his country’s commitment to war-torn Ukraine following the disagreement.
“Ukraine, know that Spain stands with you,” Sanchez, a staunch supporter of Ukraine since Russia’s invasion in 2022 who pledged one billion euros in aid during a recent visit to Kyiv, tweeted.
Russia: ‘Cocaine clown’ Zelensky
“For the first time, Trump confronted the cocaine clown directly,” stated former president Dmitry Medvedev, currently the deputy chairman of Russia’s security council, referring to Zelensky.
Kirill Dmitriev, one of Moscow’s negotiators in initial high-level discussions between Russian and U.S. officials since the Kremlin deployed troops in Ukraine, described the altercation between the two leaders as “historic.”
UK: ‘Unwavering support’
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer joined the chorus of European leaders expressing his support for Ukraine as he prepares to host Zelensky this weekend.
Starmer “is doing all he can to create a path forward towards lasting peace grounded in sovereignty and security for Ukraine,” a spokesperson from Downing Street informed, noting he had spoken with both leaders following the White House meeting.
Ukraine: ‘Not possible’
Ukraine’s Prime Minister Denys Shmygal articulated that Zelensky was “correct” in stating that “peace without guarantees is impossible.”
“A cease-fire without guarantees leads to Russian occupation of the entire European continent,” Shmygal stated on X.
Army chief Oleksandr Syrsky, who rarely issues political statements, also voiced his support for Zelensky while advocating for unity.
US Democrats: Trump ‘doing Putin’s work’
Senate Democrats accused Trump and his Vice President JD Vance of aligning with Putin.
“Trump and Vance are executing Putin’s dirty work,” tweeted Democratic Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer.
Other Ukrainian allies
Other allies of Ukraine rallied in support, with Canada asserting that Kyiv was fighting not just for its own freedom but also for “ours.”
Denmark expressed its “pride” in supporting Ukraine, while Sweden referred to Ukrainians as “friends.”
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