What was meant to be a productive meeting quickly devolved into a heated argument. The conversation in the Oval Office escalated into shouting when Trump accused Zelensky of disrespecting the United States.
“You are playing with a third world war. What you are doing is disrespecting a country that supports you far more than many think is necessary,” Trump stated sharply.
Following Trump's harsh criticism, European politicians swiftly rallied in support of Zelensky and Ukraine.
“Ukraine is Europe! We stand with Ukraine,” declared the head of European diplomacy Kaja Kallas.
“Today it has become clear that the free world needs a new leader. This responsibility falls on us, Europeans,” she added.
Ukraine is Europe!
— Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) February 28, 2025
We stand by Ukraine.
We will step up our support to Ukraine so that they can continue to fight back the aggressor.
Today, it became clear that the free world needs a new leader. It’s up to us, Europeans, to take this challenge.
The President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen wrote: “Your dignity honors the bravery of the Ukrainian people… Dear President Zelensky, you will never be alone.”
Your dignity honors the bravery of the Ukrainian people.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) February 28, 2025
Be strong, be brave, be fearless.
You are never alone, dear President @ZelenskyyUa.
We will continue working with you for a just and lasting peace.
Other high-ranking EU officials supported von der Leyen, emphasizing Brussels' unwavering support for Ukraine.
Your dignity honors the bravery of the Ukrainian people.
— António Costa (@eucopresident) February 28, 2025
Be strong, be brave, be fearless. You are never alone, dear President @ZelenskyyUa.
We will continue working with you for a just and lasting peace.
Your dignity honors the bravery of the Ukrainian people.
— Roberta Metsola (@EP_President) February 28, 2025
Be strong, be brave, be fearless.
You are never alone, dear President @ZelenskyyUa.
We will continue working with you for a just and lasting peace.
The future Chancellor of Germany Friedrich Merz stated: “We must never confuse the aggressor and the victim in this terrible war.”
Dear Volodymyr @zelenskyyua, we stand with #Ukraine in good and in testing times. We must never confuse aggressor and victim in this terrible war. (FM)
— Friedrich Merz (@_FriedrichMerz) February 28, 2025
The current Chancellor Olaf Scholz noted that no one wants peace more than Ukraine, emphasizing that Kyiv can fully rely on Berlin and 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
Leaders from France, the United Kingdom, Poland, Spain, Ireland, Iceland, Germany, Lithuania, Moldova, and Sweden also joined in supporting Ukraine.
The President of France Emmanuel Macron expressed himself clearly: “There is an aggressor – Russia. There is a victim – Ukraine.”
“Three years ago we were right to help Ukraine and impose sanctions on Russia, and we must continue to do so,” he added.
There is an aggressor: Russia.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) February 28, 2025
There is a victim: Ukraine.
We were right to help Ukraine and sanction Russia three years ago—and to keep doing so.
By “we,” I mean the Americans, the Europeans, the Canadians, the Japanese, and many others.
Thank you to…
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Keir Starmer reaffirmed “unwavering support for Ukraine,” while the Prime Minister of Spain Pedro Sánchez posted on X (formerly Twitter) in three languages – Spanish, English, and Ukrainian: “Ukraine, Europe is with you.”
However, the Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orbán went against the common stance, expressing gratitude to Trump.
Earlier, “Kursiv” reported that after the meeting with Zelensky, Trump announced the refusal of the U.S. to sign an agreement on access to Ukrainian minerals.
Zelensky, in turn, thanked the U.S. for its support:
“Thank you, America, thank you for your support, thank you for this visit. Thank you to the President, Congress, and the American people,” he wrote on X.
“Ukraine needs a fair and long-term peace, and that is what we are working on.”
Thank you America, thank you for your support, thank you for this visit. Thank you @POTUS, Congress, and the American people.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 28, 2025
Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for that.
Zelensky also personally thanked European leaders for their support, responding to each of their posts on X.