By SUSIE BLANN and STEFANIE DAZIO, Associated Press
BERLIN (AP) Following the controversial Oval Office meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, European leaders vowed late Friday to support Ukraine. Their remarks in favor of their continent’s neighbor ensured a widening transatlantic divide.
Vance’s speech to the Munich Security Conference two weeks ago, in which he lectured them about the state of their democracy, already caused a stir among European leaders. A number of emergency conferences have been held to discuss security as presidents and prime ministers from all around the continent have rushed to react.
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer will hold another significant gathering in London on Sunday. Zelenskyy will attend a conference with over a dozen European and EU leaders aimed at advancing security and Ukraine initiatives.
According to a statement from his office, Starmer reaffirmed his strong support for Ukraine during his Friday conversations with Zelenskyy and Trump.
According to the statement, he continues to stand firmly in favor of Ukraine and is making every effort to identify a way ahead for a sustainable peace based on Ukraine’s sovereignty and security.
The remarks made by European leaders Friday mostly avoided bringing up Trump or Vance, instead focusing on reaffirming their support for Ukraine as the conflict with Russia entered its fourth year. Zelenskyy probably took a jab at the Trump administration when they re-posted their remarks on X, stating, “Thank you for your support to each.”
Trump reprimanded Zelenskyy during the unprecedented meeting in Washington on Friday after Vance, one of the administration’s sharpest skeptics about Ukraine, claimed that he was being rude by arguing with Trump in front of the American media in the Oval Office.
Have you ever shown gratitude? Zelenskyy was asked by Vance.
Throughout their conversation, the Ukrainian president expressed gratitude four times, or had already done so.
Then, Trump canceled a mineral agreement that he claimed would have brought Ukraine one step closer to ending its conflict with Russia. Soon after Trump yelled at him, Zelenskyy walked out of the White House in a display of blatant contempt. The Ukrainian delegation was instructed to depart, according to the White House.
After leaving the White House, Zelenskyy spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, and European Council President Antonio Costa, according to a senior Ukrainian official, who described all of the exchanges as being in favor of the Ukrainian leader. The official, who has knowledge of the situation, asked to remain anonymous since he was not permitted to make public comments.
However, Giorgia Meloni, the premier of Italy, suggested that the United States and its European allies hold an urgent conference to openly discuss how we plan to address the major issues of the day, beginning with Ukraine. She called on the West to maintain its unity.
According to her, every rift in the West weakens us all and benefits those who wish to see our civilization fall apart. No one would gain from a division.
Zelenskyy received some posts on X. He was told by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen that the courage of the Ukrainian people is honored by your dignity. Be courageous, fearless, and strong. Dear President, you are never alone.
The probable next chancellor of Germany, Friedrich Merz, also wrote: Dear Volodymyr @zelenskyyua, we support Ukraine during both good and difficult times. In this awful conflict, we must never mistake an aggressor for a victim.
Merz’s party won the national election in Germany on Sunday, giving Ukraine even more backing in the biggest member of the European Union. During the campaign, Merz pledged to bring Europe together against threats from the US and Russia.
However, Alice Weidel, a rival of Merz and co-leader of the far-right, anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany party, posted a link to a video of the meeting along with the message, “Historic Trump & Vance!” on X. AfD’s program rejects arms transfers to Ukraine and demands that sanctions against Russia be lifted immediately. Vance and Weidel also met in Munich.
Viktor Orbán, the prime minister of Hungary, lauded Trump for his actions while in the White House and accused Zelenskyy of trying to undermine peace in his own nation.
Orb wrote on X that “weak men make war, and strong men make peace.” President Donald Trump valiantly advocated for peace today. even if many people found it hard to process. I’m grateful, President!
Orb ea has been openly hostile toward neighboring Ukraine and has consistently supported the Kremlin. He mentioned Zelenskyy as one of the opponents he had vanquished in the campaign after winning the most recent Hungarian elections in 2022, less than six weeks after Russia’s full-scale invasion.
In the meantime, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s choice to carry on the conflict is the only thing standing in the way of peace in Estonia, which borders Russia, according to Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna.
Tsahkna stated in a statement that Europe needs to take the initiative. Europe has enough resources, including Russia’s frozen assets, to allow Ukraine to continue fighting; we don’t need to wait for another event to occur.
Additionally, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson reminded Ukraine of the consequences of Russia’s aggressiveness spreading to the Nordic and Baltic nations as well as beyond.
Kristersson wrote on X, “You are fighting not just for your freedom but for all of Europe.” European leaders also voiced support to Ukraine, including those from Austria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, and Spain. __
Associated Press. Blann came from Kyiv to report. Reporting was provided by Justin Spike, an Associated Press writer in Kyiv.
