European leaders have pledged to stand by Ukraine in the wake of the contentious Oval Office meeting between Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
European leaders were already shaken by Vice President JD Vance’s speech to the Munich Security Conference two weeks ago in which he lectured them about democracy.
As prime ministers and presidents across the continent scrambled to respond, they have held a series of emergency summits to discuss security.
Another major summit is scheduled for Sunday in London, hosted by UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. More than a dozen European and EU leaders, including Mr Zelensky, will gather for a meeting meant to drive forward action on Ukraine and security.
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The leaders’ comments on Friday largely did not mention Mr Trump or Mr Vance but rather sought to assure Ukraine of their support as the war with Russia enters its fourth year.
Mr Zelensky reposted their comments on X, writing “thank you for your support” to each.
During the extraordinary meeting on Friday in Washington, Mr Trump chided Mr Zelensky after Mr Vance, one of the administration’s most sceptical voices on Ukraine, said he was being disrespectful for debating with Mr Trump in the Oval Office in front of the American media.
“Have you said ‘thank you’ once?” Mr Vance asked Mr Zelensky.
The Ukrainian president said four times during the course of their exchange that he was thankful or had already expressed his thanks.
Mr Trump then called off the signing of a minerals deal that he said would have moved Ukraine closer to ending its war with Russia.
A senior Ukrainian official said Mr Zelensky spoke to French President Emmanuel Macron, Nato Secretary-General Mark Rutte and President of the European Council Antonio Costa after he left the White House, describing all the conversations as “supportive” of the Ukrainian leader.
Italy’s Premier Giorgia Meloni proposed “an immediate summit” between the United States and European allies “to speak frankly about how we intend to face today’s great challenges, starting with Ukraine”. She urged the West to stay united.
“Every division of the West makes us all weaker and favours those who would like to see the decline of our civilisation,” she said. “A division would not benefit anyone.”
Some posts on X were directed to Mr Zelensky. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told him “your dignity honours the bravery of the Ukrainian people. Be strong, be brave, be fearless. You are never alone, dear President”.
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Friedrich Merz, Germany’s likely next chancellor, wrote: “Dear Volodymyr @zelenskyyua, we stand with #Ukraine in good and in testing times. We must never confuse aggressor and victim in this terrible war.”
The victory for Mr Merz’s party on Sunday in Germany’s national election ensured that Ukraine has an even stronger supporter in the European Union’s largest country. Mr Merz during the campaign promised to unite Europe in the face of challenges from both Russia and the United States.
Meanwhile in Estonia, which borders Russia, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said the only obstacle to peace is Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to continue the war.
“It is time for Europe to step up,” Mr Tsahkna said in a statement. “We do not need to wait for something else to happen; Europe has enough resources, including Russia’s frozen assets, to enable Ukraine to continue fighting.”
And Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson’s reminded Ukraine of what is at stake for the Nordic and Baltic countries, and others, if Russia’s aggression spreads.
“You are not only fighting for your freedom but also for all of Europe’s,” Mr Kristersson wrote on X. European officials from Austria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland and Spain, among others, also offered their support to Ukraine.