European leaders have rallied behind Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky following a heated confrontation with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House. The dispute, which unfolded during Zelensky’s visit to Washington, left many European officials unsettled as Trump accused the Ukrainian leader of being unwilling to negotiate peace with Russia.
The unexpected turn of events led to Zelensky leaving the White House without finalizing a mineral deal that had been anticipated. European leaders swiftly reacted, expressing strong support for Ukraine in the face of what they viewed as a troubling shift in U.S. policy.
“You are not alone,” Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk reassured Zelensky.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who had recently met with Trump himself, confirmed he spoke to both leaders after the confrontation and pledged the UK’s continued backing for Kyiv.
On Sunday, representatives from more than a dozen European nations are set to meet in London for a summit aimed at reinforcing support for Ukraine. Downing Street noted that the discussion will focus on ensuring a “just and lasting peace” while also addressing concerns about Europe’s defense strategy amid uncertainty over future U.S. commitments to NATO.
French President Emmanuel Macron has signaled openness to talks on the possibility of a European nuclear deterrent, responding to a proposal from Germany’s incoming leader, Friedrich Merz. Merz has noted that Europe must move quickly toward defense independence, given the unpredictability of American support.
The meeting between Trump and Zelensky reportedly escalated into a shouting match, further raising concerns about U.S. policy toward Ukraine. Trump and Vice President JD Vance accused Zelensky of not being grateful for past support and pressured him to accept peace terms with Russia.
“You don’t have the cards right now,” Trump told Zelensky. “You’re either going to make a deal or we’re out, and if we’re out, you’ll fight it out and I don’t think it’s going to be pretty.”
Shortly after, Zelensky left the White House, and Trump later posted on social media that the Ukrainian president was welcome to return “when he is ready for peace.” U.S. media reported that senior Trump officials had instructed Zelensky to leave.
Trump later told reporters that Zelensky was “overplaying his hand” and should agree to a ceasefire immediately.
Zelensky, however, stood firm. In an interview with Fox News, he stated, “I’m not sure that we did something bad,” while also expressing regret that the exchange had taken place in front of journalists.
Following the White House incident, Russia wasted no time responding. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev called Zelensky an “insolent pig” and mocked his treatment at the Oval Office.
Meanwhile, Trump’s Republican allies also blamed Zelensky. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Zelensky should “apologize for wasting our time for a meeting that was going to end the way it did.”
On the other side of the political spectrum, Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer accused Trump and Vance of “doing Putin’s dirty work.”
