European leaders pledged their continued support for Ukraine on Friday at a White House meeting after Trump's fierce criticism of Ukrainian President Voldimi Zelensky.
Leaders lined up behind Ukraine and praised its president. The statements were praised by France, Germany, Poland, Spain, Denmark, Netherlands, Portugal, Czech Republic, Norway, Norway, Finland, Croatia, Estonia, Latvia, Latvia, Slovenia, Belgium, Lithuania, Lituania, Lukumbourg, Latvia, Raton Anne, Raton Anne, and Latvia. Leaders from Canada, Australia and New Zealand added a voice to the Europeans.
Western leaders generally angered and threatened American support for Ukraine unless they agreed to a ceasefire agreement with Russia, even if they had been escaping Trump from explicitly criticizing Zelensky for telling Zelensky he was “not in a good position.”
“Your dignity respects the courage of the people of Ukrainians,” said Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, referring to Zelensky on social media. “Be strong, brave, fearless. You are never alone, dear President.”
French President Emmanuel Macron, who exhibited his friendship with Trump during a visit to the White House on Monday, said it was justified by supporting Ukraine on Russia and imposing sanctions on Russia after a full-scale Ukraine violation three years ago.
In a statement, Macron urged America to stay on the side of Ukrainians, saying “we are fighting for their dignity, their independence, their children and the safety of Europe.”
Friedrich Merz, who is on track to become Germany's next prime minister after this week's election, said in a statement to “dear Voldymiler” that his country will stand behind Ukraine “in an age of goodness and testing.”
“We should never confuse invaders and victims in this horrifying war,” Merz appears to refer to Trump, who denounced the invasion, clearly calling Zelensky a dictator. The late German leader, Prime Minister Olaf Scholz, said Ukraine could rely on Germany and other parts of Europe.
Daniel Fried, a career diplomat under the US president, who has just returned from a trip to Brussels, said the clashes in the oval offices have rocked the European capital, creating a wave of sympathy for Zelensky, raising the peace process that appears to be reconciliation.
“Europeans are frightening and disappointing,” Fried added that Europeans are watching the US transition to a world-sculpting strategy. “They look at America they know in a few weeks and respect change.”
British Prime Minister Kiel Starmer, the central left leader who carefully avoided major differences with Trump during his visit to the White House on Thursday, spoke with Trump and Zelensky on Friday, according to the prime minister's office. Starmer “holds unwavering support for Ukraine and plays his role in finding a path to lasting peace,” the office said in a statement.
Starmer is scheduled to hold an international conference with Ukraine in London on Sunday, with Zelensky and other leaders across Europe.
Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orban, a right-wing nationalist who has long been at odds with much of Europe, appears to be on his side with Trump, saying on social media that “strong people make peace, weak men go to war.” He did not mention Ukraine or Zelensky in his post.
Trump's promotion of Zelensky also praised him in anticipation of praise in Russia. Former Russian President Dmitri Medvedev, who is vice-chairman of Russia's Security Council, said in a telegram that Trump had spoken “the truth.”
Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Jolie joined the European leaders who provide language of support for Ukraine, telling reporters that Ukrainians “not only are they fighting for their own freedom, they are fighting for us.”
With his country's relationship with Trump deeply tense over the US president's threat to annexation of Canada and deeply tense over plans to impose tariffs, Jolie stressed the importance of maintaining Western unity in the war in Ukraine. She said the Russians were watching.
On Australia's Saturday morning, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reflected a message of support from Europe. Albanese said his country is proud to help Ukraine protect itself from the “atrocities of Russian invasion.”
Zelensky wrote to European leaders on social media, “Thank you for your support.”
But he offered his most adequate statement of gratitude to Trump, who had said in his oval office on Friday that Zelensky wasn't “absolutely grateful” for American aid.
“I am grateful to America, thank you for your support, thank you for this visit,” Zelensky thanked Trump, adding, “Ukraine is fair and needs lasting peace. We are working precisely for that.”
Stephen Castle, Christopher F. Schuetze, Natalia Vasilieva, Megan Specia and Qasim Nauman Reports of contributions.
