Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s assembly with United States President Donald Trump in Washington, DC, ended abruptly after the 2 leaders clashed in a heated change over Russia’s battle in opposition to Kyiv.
On the Oval Workplace on Friday, Trump and his vp, JD Vance, berated Zelenskyy for being “disrespectful” and never thanking the US sufficient for its assist.
“You’re playing with the lives of hundreds of thousands of individuals,” Trump shouted. “You’re playing with World Conflict III, and what you’re doing may be very disrespectful to the nation – this nation.”
Zelenskyy, who was assembly with Trump to persuade him to not facet with Russian President Vladimir Putin and talk about potential US safety ensures for Ukraine within the occasion of a ceasefire, instructed Trump that there can be “no compromises with a killer on our territory”.
Because the Ukrainian chief left the White Home shortly after the verbal match, Trump took to the Fact Social social media app, which he owns, to write down that Zelenskyy was not “prepared for peace if America is concerned”.
“He disrespected the US of America in its cherished Oval Workplace. He can come again when he’s prepared for peace,” he added.
Zelenskyy posted on X after the assembly to thank the US for its assist.
“Thanks POTUS, Congress, and the American individuals. Ukraine wants simply and lasting peace, and we’re working precisely for that,” he wrote.
Right here is how some world leaders reacted to the heated dispute:
Russia
Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy head of the Russian Safety Council, wrote on Telegram that Trump had given Ukraine a “robust slap on the wrist”.
“For the primary time, Trump instructed the cocaine clown the reality to his face: The Kyiv regime is enjoying with the Third World Conflict. And the ungrateful pig obtained a powerful slap on the wrist from the house owners of the pigsty. That is helpful. But it surely’s not sufficient – we should cease army assist to the Nazi machine,” mentioned Medvedev, who can be a former Russian president.
Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson for Russia’s Overseas Ministry, additionally praised Trump for exhibiting “restraint” with the Ukrainian chief, whom she known as a “scumbag”.
“I believe Zelenskyy’s greatest lie of all his lies was his assertion within the White Home that the Kyiv regime in 2022 was alone, with out assist,” she wrote on Telegram. “How Trump and Vance held again from hitting that scumbag is a miracle of restraint.”
European Union
EU Fee President Ursula von der Leyen posted a message of solidarity with Zelenskyy, writing on X: “Your dignity honors the bravery of the Ukrainian individuals. Be robust, be courageous, be fearless.”
The bloc’s overseas coverage chief Kaja Kallas, in the meantime, mentioned it was clear that “the free world wants a brand new chief”.
“Ukraine is Europe! We stand by Ukraine,” she mentioned in a social media publish.
“We’ll step up our assist to Ukraine in order that they will proceed to struggle again [against] the aggressor,” she added. “At this time, it grew to become clear that the free world wants a brand new chief. It’s as much as us, Europeans, to take this problem.”
France
French President Emmanuel Macron instructed reporters in Portugal that Russia is the “aggressor” within the Ukraine battle and Ukrainians are the “aggressed individuals”.
“I believe we have been all proper to assist Ukraine and sanction Russia three years in the past, and to proceed to take action. We, that’s the US of America, the Europeans, the Canadians, the Japanese and lots of others,” Macron mentioned.
“And we should thank all those that have helped and respect those that have been preventing because the starting. As a result of they’re preventing for his or her dignity, their independence, their kids and the safety of Europe. These are easy issues, however they’re good to recollect at occasions like these, that’s all,” he added.
Germany
Outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz mentioned, “Ukraine can depend on Germany and on Europe.”
“Nobody desires peace greater than the residents of Ukraine! That’s the reason we’re collectively in search of the trail to an enduring and simply peace,” he mentioned.
Johann Wadephul, a high legislator from incoming German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s get together, additionally backed Ukraine.
“The scenes from the White Home are surprising,” he wrote on X. “How are you going to stab the president of an invaded nation within the again like this? Free Europe won’t betray Ukraine!”
United Kingdom
Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke with each Trump and Zelenskyy following their public fallout.
In keeping with a Downing Avenue assertion, Starmer mentioned he’s trying ahead to “internet hosting worldwide leaders on Sunday, together with President Zelenskyy”.
“He retains his unwavering assist for Ukraine and is enjoying his half to discover a path ahead to an enduring peace, primarily based on sovereignty and safety for Ukraine,” the assertion mentioned.
Norway
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere condemned the occasions within the White Home as “critical and disheartening”.
“Ukraine nonetheless wants the US’s assist, and Ukraine’s safety and future are additionally essential to the US and to Europe.
“President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has robust assist in Ukraine, broad assist in Europe, and he has led his individuals by way of a really demanding and brutal time, beneath assault from Russia. That Trump accuses Zelenskyy of playing with World Conflict III is deeply unreasonable and an announcement I distance myself from,” he mentioned in an announcement to Norwegian TV2.
Poland
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk wrote on X: “Expensive Ukrainian buddies, you aren’t alone.”
Spain
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez additionally expressed solidarity with Ukraine.
“Ukraine, Spain stands with you,” he wrote on X.
Italy
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni proposed a gathering between the US and European leaders to reaffirm their bonds.
“A summit at once is required between the US, European states and their allies to speak frankly about how we intend to sort out at the moment’s main challenges, beginning with Ukraine, which collectively we now have defended in recent times,” Meloni, a right-wing chief, mentioned in an announcement.
Her deputy in the meantime expressed assist for Trump.
“Intention for PEACE, cease this battle! Come on @realDonaldTrump”, Matteo Salvini wrote on X.
Hungary
Prime Minister Viktor Orban was among the many few voices in Europe that backed Trump.
“Sturdy males make peace, weak males make battle. At this time President @realDonaldTrump stood bravely for peace,” he wrote on X. “Even when it was tough for a lot of to digest. Thanks, Mr. President!”
Canada
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau mentioned Canada will proceed to face with Ukrainians in reaching a simply and lasting peace.
“Russia illegally and unjustifiably invaded Ukraine. For 3 years now, Ukrainians have fought with braveness and resilience. Their struggle for democracy, freedom, and sovereignty is a struggle that issues to us all,” he wrote on X.
Canadian Overseas Minister Melanie Joly inspired NATO allies to band collectively “amidst all this unpredictability and generally even chaos”.
“We imagine in supporting Ukraine. Our place has not modified. We predict Ukrainians are preventing for their very own freedoms, however they’re additionally preventing for ours,” she mentioned.
Estonia
Overseas Minister Margus Tsahkna wrote on X that the one impediment to peace was Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “determination to proceed his battle of aggression”.
“If Russia stops preventing, there shall be no battle. If Ukraine stops preventing, there shall be no Ukraine. Estonia’s assist to Ukraine stays unwavering. Time for Europe to step up,” Tsahkna wrote.
Sweden
“Sweden stands with Ukraine. You aren’t solely preventing to your freedom but in addition for all of Europe’s. Slava Ukraini!”
Czech Republic
President Petr Pavel wrote on X:
“We stand with Ukraine greater than ever. Time for Europe to step up its efforts.”
Moldova
President Maia Sandu wrote on X:
“The reality is straightforward. Russia invaded Ukraine. Russia is the aggressor. Ukraine defends its freedom – and ours. We stand with Ukraine,” she wrote on X.
Australia
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese mentioned in an announcement:
“We’ll proceed to face with Ukraine for so long as it takes, as a result of that is the battle of a democratic nation versus an authoritarian regime led by Vladimir Putin, who clearly has imperialistic designs, not simply on Ukraine, however all through that area.”
