European leaders pledge to stand by Ukraine after confrontational Oval Office meeting with Trump

Recently, remarks made by U.S. official Vance at the Munich Security Conference have sent shockwaves through European leaders due to his comments on the state of European democracy. In response, European prime ministers and presidents have taken swift action, convening a series of security summits to discuss countermeasures.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is scheduled to host another significant summit in London this Sunday. More than a dozen European and EU leaders, including Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, will gather with the aim of promoting further action on the issues of Ukraine and security.

According to a statement from Starmer's office, Starmer spoke with Trump and Zelenskyy on Friday, reiterating his unwavering support for Ukraine. "He remains steadfast in his support for Ukraine and is doing everything he can to find a lasting path to peace for Ukraine based on sovereignty and security," the statement noted.

While European leaders' comments on Friday largely avoided mentioning Trump or Vance, they sought to reassure Ukraine of their support as the war with Russia enters its fourth year. Zelenskyy retweeted their comments on X, writing "Thank you for your support," which may have been a veiled jab at the Trump administration.

It has been reported that during a special meeting in Washington, Trump rebuked Zelenskyy, after Vance stated that Zelenskyy's debating with Trump in the Oval Office in front of the American media was disrespectful. "Did you ever say 'thank you' even once?" Vance asked Zelenskyy. The Ukrainian president stated four times during their exchange that he was grateful or had expressed his gratitude.

Subsequently, Trump canceled the signing of a mineral agreement, saying it could have brought Ukraine closer to ending the war with Russia. Zelenskyy left the White House shortly after Trump yelled at him, showing open defiance. The White House stated that the Ukrainian delegation was told to leave. A senior Ukrainian official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that Zelenskyy spoke with French President Macron, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, and European Council President Antonio Costa after leaving the White House, stating that all conversations were "supportive" of the Ukrainian leader.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni proposed an "immediate summit" between the U.S. and European allies in order to "discuss frankly how we intend to address the major challenges of our day, first and foremost the issue of Ukraine." She urged the West to remain united. "Every division in the West weakens us all and benefits those who want to see our civilization decline," she said. "Division does no one any good."

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said to Zelenskyy on X: "Your dignity shines a light on the bravery of the Ukrainian people. Strong, courageous, fearless. Dear President, you are never alone." Friedrich Merz, Germany's future Chancellor, wrote: "Dear Volodymyr @ZelenskyyUa, we stand with #Ukraine, in good times and bad. We must never confuse the aggressor and the victim in this terrible war." Merz's party won the German elections, securing Ukraine a stronger supporter in the EU's largest country. Merz pledged during his campaign to unite Europe to face challenges from Russia and the U.S.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban praised Trump's behavior in the Oval Office and portrayed Zelenskyy as someone who is undermining his own country's peace. "The strong make peace, the weak wage war," Orban wrote on X. "Today, President Donald Trump bravely defended peace. Even if this is difficult for many to accept. Thank you, Mr. President!" Orban has been a supporter of the Kremlin and openly opposes neighboring Ukraine. After winning the Hungarian elections in 2022, less than six weeks after Russia's full-scale invasion, he listed Zelenskyy as one of the opponents he defeated in his campaign.

Meanwhile, in Estonia, which borders Russia, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said that the only obstacle to peace is Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision to continue the war. "Now is the time for Europe to step up," Tsahkna said in a statement. "We don't need to wait for other things to happen; Europe has enough resources, including Russia's frozen assets, to enable Ukraine to continue fighting." Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson reminded Ukraine of the risks faced by the Nordic and Baltic countries, as well as others, if Russia's aggression spreads. "You are not only fighting for your freedom, but also for the whole of Europe," Kristersson wrote on X.

European officials from Austria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, and Spain also expressed their support for Ukraine. At the same time, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev praised Trump while insulting Zelenskyy. "This brazen pig finally got a good slap in the face in the Oval Office," Medvedev wrote on X. "(Donald Trump) is right: the Kiev regime is 'gambling a third world war.'" Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev retweeted statements by Elon Musk and U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.