European leaders on Friday lined up to show solidarity with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy following his coming under attack from US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance in a stunning White House confrontation.
Prime ministers and presidents from the north, south, east and west of the continent, within a short time
posted on social media in support of Zelenskiy and Ukraine in the war against Russia’s invasion, amid the extraordinary clash.
While the leaders did not directly berate President Trump, their comments were a clear support for Kyiv, highlighting a major rift between traditional allies the United States and Europe over the war since Trump returned to office.
“There is an aggressor: Russia. There is a people who are under attack: Ukraine.
“Respect to those who, since the beginning, have been fighting. Because they are fighting for their dignity, their independence, for their children and for the security of Europe,” French President Emmanuel Macron, who visited Trump this week, posted on X.
Trump had earlier accused Zelenskiy of disrespecting the United States.
Both world leaders had been expected to conclude a deal on exploiting Ukraine’s mineral resources but Zelenskiy left the White House without signing the agreement.
According to the US president, the Ukrainian leader was not ready for peace.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk was among the first to show his support for Zelenskiy and Ukraine on social media, telling them: “You are not alone.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa, the European Union’s two top officials, told Zelenskiy in a joint post: “Your dignity honors the bravery of the Ukrainian people.
“Be strong, be brave, be fearless. You are never alone. We will continue working with you for a just and lasting peace.”
German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz said: “Nobody wants peace more than the Ukrainians do.”
German conservative leader Friedrich Merz, Scholz’s likely successor after his party won last Sunday’s general election, posted: “We stand with #Ukraine in good and in testing times. We must never confuse aggressor and victim in this terrible war.”
Similarly, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who has supported Ukraine but also has strong ties to Trump, sought to strike a balance in her response.