European leaders have expressed strong support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky following his tense exchange with 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 commitment to Ukraine, with Zelensky personally thanking each of them. The show of solidarity comes as Zelensky arrives in London for a summit hosted by UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who has reiterated his unwavering support for Ukraine.
The clash between Zelensky and Trump occurred during a meeting in the Oval Office, where Trump urged the Ukrainian leader to negotiate a settlement with Russia, warning that U.S. support could be withdrawn. Trump accused Zelensky of not showing enough gratitude for American military and political backing, cautioning that his stance could lead to “World War Three.”
Following the confrontation, European leaders reaffirmed their support for Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized that Russia was the aggressor and that aiding Ukraine remained the right decision. Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz echoed these sentiments, underscoring the need for continued backing of Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pledged their countries’ ongoing support, while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen praised the resilience of the Ukrainian people.
However, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban took a different stance, aligning himself with Trump and advocating for immediate peace negotiations.
Zelensky, reflecting on the White House meeting, acknowledged that the confrontation was not beneficial for either side but expressed hope that relations could be repaired. His visit to London marks the next step in securing international commitments to Ukraine’s defense, as European leaders prepare for high-stakes discussions on the future of the conflict.
