A tense Oval Office meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, US President Donald Trump, and Vice President JD Vance ended abruptly, drawing criticism from US lawmakers who accused Trump and Vance of siding with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Senate Democrats and other officials condemned the meeting, labeling it detrimental to US foreign policy. Meanwhile, Russian officials mocked Zelensky, while European leaders, including France’s Emmanuel Macron and Germany’s Olaf Scholz, expressed solidarity with Ukraine. EU leaders emphasized continued support for Ukraine, with calls for a new transatlantic leadership, highlighting the urgency for collective action amid ongoing tensions.
Washington:
A tense confrontation involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, US President Donald Trump, and Vice President JD Vance in the Oval Office has drawn significant reactions from global leaders and US lawmakers. The abrupt conclusion of the meeting raises alarms about the trajectory of US-Ukraine relations.
United States
US lawmakers swiftly criticized the management of the meeting, accusing Trump and Vance of prioritizing Russian President Vladimir Putin’s interests. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer stated, “Trump and Vance are doing Putin’s dirty work. Senate Democrats will never cease fighting for freedom and democracy.”
Trump and Vance are doing Putin’s dirty work.
Senate Democrats will never cease fighting for freedom and democracy. https://t.co/HC71aoXXuf
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) February 28, 2025
Republican Representative Don Bacon from Nebraska also expressed disapproval of the meeting, labeling it “a bad day for America’s foreign policy.” Democratic representatives also criticized Trump, with one stating, “It was a great day for Vladimir Putin. President Trump and VP Vance are the best lackeys he’s ever had.”
Bacon: “A bad day for America’s foreign policy. Ukraine seeks independence, free markets, and the rule of law. It desires to align with the West. Russia opposes us and our Western ideals. We must be clear that we support freedom.” https://t.co/U1M23nMtJz
— Rep. Don Bacon 🇺🇸✈️🏍️⭐️🎖️ (@RepDonBacon) February 28, 2025
Russia
In contrast, Russian officials have ridiculed Zelensky, with the foreign ministry spokeswoman commenting that it was “a miracle of restraint” that Trump and Vance did not escalate to physical confrontation.
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev took to social media to commend Zelensky for receiving “a proper slap down in the Oval Office.” He also labeled him as a “cocaine clown.” Kirill Dmitriev, one of Moscow’s negotiators, characterized the exchange between Trump and Zelensky as “historic”.
The insolent pig finally got a proper slap down in the Oval Office. And @realDonaldTrump is right: The Kiev regime is “gambling with WWIII.”
— Dmitry Medvedev (@MedvedevRussiaE) February 28, 2025
Ukraine
Conversely, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha commended Zelenskyy for demonstrating “the bravery and strength to stand up for what is right.” Zelenskyy “stands firm for Ukraine and the pursuit of a just and enduring peace,” Sybiha remarked on X.
The insolent pig finally got a proper slap down in the Oval Office. And @realDonaldTrump is right: The Kiev regime is “gambling with WWIII.”
— Dmitry Medvedev (@MedvedevRussiaE) February 28, 2025
Numerous European leaders have also voiced their backing for Ukraine.
France
French President Emmanuel Macron stated that Russia is the aggressor and Ukrainians are the targets of aggression. “We must … honor those who have fought from the start,” he mentioned to reporters during a visit to Portugal.
“I believe it was correct for us to support Ukraine and impose sanctions on Russia three years ago, and to continue doing so. We, meaning the United States, Europeans, Canadians, Japanese, and many others,” he stated.
Spain
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed solidarity with Ukraine, delivering a message in Spanish, English, and Ukrainian: “Ucrania, España está contigo. Ukraine, Spain stands with you. Україно, Іспанія з тобою.”
The insolent pig finally got a proper slap down in the Oval Office. And @realDonaldTrump is right: The Kiev regime is “gambling with WWIII.”
— Dmitry Medvedev (@MedvedevRussiaE) February 28, 2025
Germany
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz assured that “nobody desires peace more than the Ukrainian citizens! That is why we are collaborating to discover a route to a lasting and fair peace. Ukraine can depend on Germany – and on Europe.”
Nobody wants peace more than the Ukrainians do. Therefore we are working on a common path to a lasting and just peace. Ukraine can rely on Germany – and on Europe.
— Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz (@Bundeskanzler) February 28, 2025
Germany’s anticipated next chancellor Friedrich Merz also expressed support for Zelensky, asserting that “we must never confuse the aggressor and the victim in this tragic war.”
Italy
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called for an urgent summit involving the United States, Europe, and allies to discuss the Ukraine conflict.
“A summit is needed without delay… to discuss frankly how we propose to address today’s significant challenges, beginning with Ukraine, which we have collectively defended in recent years,” she commented.
Britain
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer voiced his backing for Ukraine, stating that he is doing everything possible to find a pathway to lasting peace based on Ukraine’s sovereignty and security, according to a Downing Street spokesperson who noted that he spoke with both leaders following the White House meeting.
Hungary
Conversely, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban expressed gratitude to Trump for standing “bravely for peace,” stating, “strong men create peace, while weak men incite war.”
Strong men create peace, weak men incite war.
President @realDonaldTrump stood bravely for peace today. Even if it was difficult for many to digest. Thank you, Mr. President!
— Orbán Viktor (@PM_ViktorOrban) February 28, 2025
Other European leaders
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda, Irish Foreign Minister Simon Harris, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala, and Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa also reaffirmed their support for Ukraine.
European Union
The European Union has also shown support for Ukraine, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa assuring Zelensky that he is “never alone.”
“Be strong, be brave, be fearless. We will continue collaborating with you for a just and lasting peace,” the two affirmed in a joint statement on social media.
Ваша гідність вшановує хоробрість українського народу.
Будьте сильним, будьте сміливим, будьте безстрашним.
Ви ніколи не будете самотнім, дорогий Президенте @ZelenskyyUa
Ми продовжимо працювати з Вами заради справедливого і сталого миру.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) February 28, 2025
The EU’s leading diplomat Kaja Kallas expressed concern regarding the United States’ leadership within the transatlantic alliance, suggesting that “it has become evident that the free world requires a new leader. The responsibility lies with us, Europeans, to respond to this challenge.”