Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s meeting with United States President Donald Trump in Washington, DC, ended abruptly after the two leaders clashed in a heated exchange over Russia’s war against Kyiv.
At the Oval Office on Friday, Trump and his vice president, JD Vance, berated Zelenskyy for being “disrespectful” and not thanking the US enough for its support.
“You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people,” Trump shouted. “You’re gambling with World War III, and what you’re doing is very disrespectful to the country – this country.”
Zelenskyy, who was meeting with Trump to convince him not to side with Russian President Vladimir Putin and discuss possible US security guarantees for Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire, told Trump that there would be “no compromises with a killer on our territory”.
As the Ukrainian leader left the White House shortly after the verbal match, Trump took to the Truth Social social media app, which he owns, to write that Zelenskyy was not “ready for peace if America is involved”.
“He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for peace,” he added.
Zelenskyy posted on X after the meeting to thank the US for its support.
“Thank you POTUS, Congress, and the American people. Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for that,” he wrote.
Here is how some world leaders reacted to the heated dispute:
Russia
Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy head of the Russian Security Council, wrote on Telegram that Trump had given Ukraine a “strong slap on the wrist”.
“For the first time, Trump told the cocaine clown the truth to his face: The Kyiv regime is playing with the Third World War. And the ungrateful pig received a strong slap on the wrist from the owners of the pigsty. This is useful. But it’s not enough – we must stop military aid to the Nazi machine,” said Medvedev, who is also a former Russian president.
Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson for Russia’s Foreign Ministry, also praised Trump for showing “restraint” with the Ukrainian leader, whom she called a “scumbag”.
“I think Zelenskyy’s biggest lie of all his lies was his assertion in the White House that the Kyiv regime in 2022 was alone, without support,” she wrote on Telegram. “How Trump and Vance held back from hitting that scumbag is a miracle of restraint.”
European Union
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen posted a message of solidarity with Zelenskyy, writing on X: “Your dignity honors the bravery of the Ukrainian people. Be strong, be brave, be fearless.”
The bloc’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, meanwhile, said it was clear that “the free world needs a new leader”.
“Ukraine is Europe! We stand by Ukraine,” she said in a social media post.
“We will step up our support to Ukraine so that they can continue to fight back [against] the aggressor,” she added. “Today, it became clear that the free world needs a new leader. It’s up to us, Europeans, to take this challenge.”
France
French President Emmanuel Macron told reporters in Portugal that Russia is the “aggressor” in the Ukraine war and Ukrainians are the “aggressed people”.
“I think we were all right to help Ukraine and sanction Russia three years ago, and to continue to do so. We, that is the United States of America, the Europeans, the Canadians, the Japanese and many others,” Macron said.
“And we must thank all those who have helped and respect those who have been fighting since the beginning. Because they are fighting for their dignity, their independence, their children and the security of Europe. These are simple things, but they’re good to remember at times like these, that’s all,” he added.
Germany
Outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz said, “Ukraine can rely on Germany and on Europe.”
“No one wants peace more than the citizens of Ukraine! That is why we are jointly seeking the path to a lasting and just peace,” he said.
Johann Wadephul, a top legislator from incoming German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s party, also backed Ukraine.
“The scenes from the White House are shocking,” he wrote on X. “How can you stab the president of an invaded country in the back like this? Free Europe will not betray Ukraine!”
United Kingdom
Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke with both Trump and Zelenskyy following their public fallout.
According to a Downing Street statement, Starmer said he is looking forward to “hosting international leaders on Sunday, including President Zelenskyy”.
“He retains his unwavering support for Ukraine and is playing his part to find a path forward to a lasting peace, based on sovereignty and security for Ukraine,” the statement said.
Norway
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere condemned the events in the White House as “serious and disheartening”.
“Ukraine still needs the US’s support, and Ukraine’s security and future are also important to the US and to Europe.
“President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has strong support in Ukraine, broad support in Europe, and he has led his people through a very demanding and brutal time, under attack from Russia. That Trump accuses Zelenskyy of gambling with World War III is deeply unreasonable and a statement I distance myself from,” he said in a statement to Norwegian TV2.
Poland
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk wrote on X: “Dear Ukrainian friends, you are not alone.”
Spain
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez also expressed solidarity with Ukraine.
“Ukraine, Spain stands with you,” he wrote on X.
Italy
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni proposed a meeting between the US and European leaders to reaffirm their bonds.
“A summit without delay is needed between the United States, European states and their allies to talk frankly about how we intend to tackle today’s major challenges, starting with Ukraine, which together we have defended in recent years,” Meloni, a right-wing leader, said in a statement.
Her deputy meanwhile expressed support for Trump.
“Aim for PEACE, stop this war! Come on @realDonaldTrump”, Matteo Salvini wrote on X.
Hungary
Prime Minister Viktor Orban was among the few voices in Europe that backed Trump.
“Strong men make peace, weak men make war. Today President @realDonaldTrump stood bravely for peace,” he wrote on X. “Even if it was difficult for many to digest. Thank you, Mr. President!”
Canada
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canada will continue to stand with Ukrainians in achieving a just and lasting peace.
“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 a fight that matters to us all,” he wrote on X.
Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly encouraged NATO allies to band together “amidst all this unpredictability and sometimes even chaos”.
“We believe in supporting Ukraine. Our position has not changed. We think Ukrainians are fighting for their own freedoms, but they’re also fighting for ours,” she said.
Estonia
Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna wrote on X that the only obstacle to peace was Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “decision to continue his war of aggression”.
“If Russia stops fighting, there will be no war. If Ukraine stops fighting, there will be no Ukraine. Estonia’s support to Ukraine remains unwavering. Time for Europe to step up,” Tsahkna wrote.
Sweden
“Sweden stands with Ukraine. You are not only fighting for your freedom but also for all of Europe’s. Slava Ukraini!”
Czech Republic
President Petr Pavel wrote on X:
“We stand with Ukraine more than ever. Time for Europe to step up its efforts.”
Moldova
President Maia Sandu wrote on X:
“The truth is simple. Russia invaded Ukraine. Russia is the aggressor. Ukraine defends its freedom – and ours. We stand with Ukraine,” she wrote on X.
Australia
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a statement:
“We will continue to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes, because this is the struggle of a democratic nation versus an authoritarian regime led by Vladimir Putin, who clearly has imperialistic designs, not just on Ukraine, but throughout that region.”
