European leaders express support for Zelensky after clash with Trump at the White House

(Patria) - European leaders on Friday showed solidarity with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, after he was attacked by US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance at the White House, Reuters reported.

In a short period, European prime ministers and presidents posted messages of support on social media for Zelenskyy and Ukraine in the war against the Russian invasion, following the aforementioned clash.
Although they did not directly criticize the US President, their comments clearly showed that they stand with Kyiv, highlighting a major rift between traditional US allies and Europe over the war since Trump returned to office.

"There is an aggressor: Russia. There is a people who are attacked: Ukraine," posted French President Emmanuel Macron, who visited Trump this week, on the social network X.

"Respect to those who fight from the beginning. Because they fight for their dignity, their independence, for their children and for the security of Europe," Macron added.

Trump accused Zelenskyy of disrespecting the United States. The two leaders were expected to conclude a deal on the exploitation of Ukrainian mineral resources, but Zelenskyy left the White House without signing the agreement. Trump also said that Zelenskyy was not ready for peace.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk was among the first to express support for Zelenskyy and Ukraine on social media, telling them: "You are not alone".

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and President of the European Council Antonio Costa, the two highest officials of the European Union, sent a message to Zelenskyy in a joint post.

"Your dignity honors the courage of the Ukrainian people. Be strong, brave, fearless. You are never alone," they said.

"We will continue to work with you for a just and lasting peace."

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said: "No one wants peace more than Ukrainians."

German conservative leader Friedrich Merz, likely the next chancellor after his party won the elections last week, posted: "We stand with Ukraine in good times and in times of testing. We must never confuse the aggressor and the victim in this terrible war."

The European Union's High Representative for Foreign Policy, Kaja Kallas, former Prime Minister of Estonia, was open in her comments.

"Today it became clear that the free world needs a new leader. It is up to us Europeans to take on this challenge," she said. "We will increase our support for Ukraine so that they can continue to fight against the aggressor."


Leaders from Belgium, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Ireland, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden also expressed their support for Ukraine.

In contrast, Hungarian nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a Trump ally, supported the US President.

"Strong people make peace, weak people wage war," he posted on X.

"Today, President @realDonaldTrump bravely stood up for peace. Even if it was difficult for many to digest. Thank you, Mr. President!"