Following a heated meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump, thirty-three international leaders have expressed their support for Zelensky.
Additionally, the international leaders denounced Russia’s activities in Ukraine.
US Vice President JD Vance was also present during Zelensky and Trump’s meeting at the Oval Office on Friday, but it ended in a standoff.
The two presidents engaged in contentious discussions over the future of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine throughout the meeting.
The leaders’ disagreement over a minerals agreement that would give the US broad access to Ukraine’s rare earth resources in return for Washington’s ongoing backing of Kyiv in its conflict with Russia caused tensions to rise.
Trump pushed back on Zelenskyy’s insistence that any deal include real security assurances for Ukraine.
The press conference turned confrontational when Vance accused Zelenskyy of being “disrespectful,” pointedly asking, “Have you said ‘thank you’ once?”
The meeting terminated suddenly, with Zelensky and his group being hauled out of the White House.
Zelensky applauded Trump, the US Congress, and Americans for their support on X shortly after the meeting.
“Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for that,” he wrote.
Zelensky was asked if he would apologise to Trump during an appearance with Fox News. He acknowledged the public backlash and said it was “not good for both sides,” but he would not go into any detail.
“I’m not sure that we did something bad,” he added. “I cannot change the Ukrainian attitude towards Russia. They are killers for us.”
Zelensky did, however, say that his friendship with Trump might be saved.
On Saturday, he posted again on social media, saying, “It is very important for us that Ukraine is heard and that no one forgets about it, neither during the war nor after. It is important for people in Ukraine to know that they are not alone, that their interests are represented in every country, in every corner of the world.”
Following the incident, international leaders turned to social media to express their solidarity with Ukraine and condemn Russia’s ongoing aggression through posts on their X profiles.
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The “illegal and unjustifiable invasion” of Ukraine by Russia was condemned by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
“For three years now, Ukrainians have fought with courage and resilience. Their fight for democracy, freedom, and sovereignty is a fight that matters to us all. Canada will continue to stand with Ukraine and Ukrainians in achieving a just and lasting peace,” Trudeau wrote.
Also, French President Emmanuel Macron criticised Russia’s actions and defended the sanctions imposed three years ago.
“Thanks to all those who helped and continue. And 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,” Macron stated.
In a similar vein, Slovenian President Nataša Musar reacted to the Oval Office meeting and condemned Russia’s aggressiveness.
“What we witnessed in the Oval Office undermines these values and the foundations of diplomacy. We stand firmly in support of Ukraine’s sovereignty. We repeat, Russia is the aggressor,” Musar wrote.
Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer reiterated Europe’s backing for Ukraine.
“Russia is the aggressor, and therefore Europe supports Ukraine‘s efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace,” he stated.
Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs also expressed solidarity with Ukraine.
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“Ukraine is a victim of Russian aggression. It fights the war with help from many friends and partners,” he posted.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb highlighted Ukraine’s struggle for survival.
He wrote, “The heroic fight of Ukraine against Russia’s war of aggression is about the existence of Ukraine as a nation. We in Finland understand what Ukraine is going through. Ukraine is fighting not only for her independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.”
Similarly, Montenegrin President Jakov Milatovic and the Slovak Republic’s fifth President, Zuzana Čaputová, also expressed support for Ukraine, with Čaputová stating, “The people of Ukraine are defending their right to live. It’s that simple. They deserve all the support they can get to defend this right and to live and prosper as a sovereign nation living in peace.”
Several other world leaders echoed similar sentiments in their tweets, reaffirming their backing for Ukraine.
