The tense meeting between President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine and former President Donald J. Trump in the Oval Office on Friday ended in acrimony, drawing strong reactions from leaders across the world. The encounter, marked by sharp disagreements over U.S. support for Ukraine, left allies reaffirming their commitment to Kyiv, prompting criticism from Moscow and some European nationalist leaders.
Despite the contentious meeting, many world leaders swiftly expressed solidarity with Ukraine. President Zelensky, writing on the social media platform X, sought to underline Ukraine’s resilience: “Thank you, America, thank you for your support, thank you for this visit. Thank you @POTUS, Congress, and the American people. Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for this.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada reaffirmed his country’s position, writing: “Russia illegally and unjustifiably invaded Ukraine. For three years now, Ukrainians have fought with courage and resilience. Their fight for democracy, freedom, and sovereignty is one which matters to us all. Canada will continue to stand with Ukraine and Ukrainians for achieving just and lasting peace.”
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz echoed the sentiment, stating: “No one wants peace more than the citizens of Ukraine! That is why we are jointly seeking the path to lasting and just peace. Ukraine can rely on Germany – and on Europe.”
President Emmanuel Macron of France, speaking to reporters, asserted: “Russia is the aggressor, and Ukraine is the one being aggressed. I think we were all right to help Ukraine and sanction Russia three years ago, and to continue doing so. We must thank all those who have helped and respect those fighting since the beginning because they are standing up for their dignity, their independence, their children, and Europe’s security.”
Some European leaders emphasized the importance of Western unity amid Russian aggression. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called for divisions to be avoided, urging: “Every division of the West makes us all weaker and favors those who would like to see the decline of our civilization. An immediate summit between the United States, European states, and allies is needed to talk frankly about how we intend to handle the challenges today, starting with Ukraine.”
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed unwavering support for Ukraine, stating through his spokesperson: “He retains his unwavering support for Ukraine and is playing his part to find a path forward to lasting peace based on sovereignty and security for Ukraine.”
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese framed Ukraine’s struggle as not just against Russia, but as “a battle between democracy and authoritarianism... we will continue to support Ukraine for as long as it takes.”
Notably, Trump’s confrontation with Zelensky received approval from nationalist figures in Europe and from Moscow. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev wrote on Telegram: “A brutal dressing down in the Oval Office.” Viktor Orban, the Prime Minister of Hungary, praised Trump’s stance: “Strong men make peace, weak men make war. Today President @realDonaldTrump stood bravely for peace.”
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre voiced concern, remarking: “What we witnessed from the White House today is serious and disheartening. Ukraine needs U.S. support, and Ukraine’s future is also important for Europe. That Trump accuses Zelensky of gambling with World War III is deeply unreasonable.”
Czech President Petr Pavel tweeted: “We stand with Ukraine more than ever. Time for Europe to step up its efforts.” Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof reaffirmed his country’s commitment: “The Netherlands continues to support Ukraine. Especially now.”
The White House confrontation has raised fears over the U.S. commitment to Ukraine's struggle against the Russian invasion. Macron emphasized the risks of U.S. disengagement, warning: “Any U.S. likelihood of forcing Kyiv to accept a ceasefire without security guarantees would evaporate their capacity to deter Russia and China.”
Ukrainians rallied behind Zelensky after his intense meeting with Trump. The deputy prime minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, praised Zelensky’s stance: “Another Putin trap failed. Respect to the president for calling things as they are.” Critics suggest Zelensky could have managed the confrontation with Trump more adeptly.
Public sentiment among Ukrainians appears split; opinions fluctuate as the country grapples with the bleak realities of war. A pensioner expressed disappointment: “The grief here is unbearable. I was crying because the war continues.” Meanwhile, many stood by Zelensky, with social media commentators rallying support for Ukraine as they condemned Trump’s behavior.
A tension-filled atmosphere prevails as fallout continues from the White House meeting. Trump’s recent statements against Zelensky—calling him “an unpopular dictator without elections”—sparked fears about potential cuts to military assistance, adding to uncertainty surrounding U.S. foreign policy toward Ukraine.
Now, all eyes are on NATO and European leaders, prompting questions of how they will maintain support for Ukraine amid these challenging geopolitical dynamics. The stakes have never been higher as both Ukraine and its allies work to navigate the increasingly complicated diplomatic landscapes surrounding this brutal conflict.