World Leaders React to Zelensky and Trump’s Oval Office Showdown
“You are not only fighting for your freedom but also for all of Europe’s,” Sweden's Prime Minister said to Zelensky.
U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had a tense showdown in the Oval Office on Friday—the likes of which many world leaders were able to watch unfold, thanks to the media being present with their cameras rolling. The pair, joined by U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, interrupted each other repeatedly during a meeting initially intended to be about a key U.S.-Ukraine minerals agreement. [time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”]
“You don’t have the cards right now,” Trump told Zelensky in the exchange, referencing Ukraine’s ongoing war with Russia and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Zelensky responded with a point of his own: “We’re not playing cards.”
Trump made various other remarks about Zelensky and Ukraine’s current position, and the involvement the Biden Administration had in supplying support and funds to Ukraine after it was invaded by Russia. Zelensky remained steadfast on his point that a cease-fire agreement between Ukraine and Russia wouldn’t be sufficient without security guarantees from the U.S., and that Putin cannot be trusted.
“You’re gambling with [the] lives of millions of people, you’re gambling with World War III and what you’re doing is very disrespectful to this country,” Trump told Zelensky.
Read More: Zelensky’s Oval Office Clash with Trump Draws Pride and Fear in Ukraine
Trump followed that up by saying: “Your men are brave, but they had our military. If you didn’t have our military equipment, this war would have been over in two weeks.”
Shortly after the exchange, Trump canceled a planned press conference with Zelensky and cut off negotiations. He took to his own social media platform, Truth Social, where he wrote that Zelensky “is not ready for Peace if America is involved.”
“He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for Peace,” Trump said.
Following the Oval Office confrontation, many world leaders have spoken out, remarking upon what happened.
Many have reified their support for Ukraine in its defense against Russia’s invasion. A few have supported Trump. Zelensky took to posting on X (formerly Twitter) to thank the world leaders who have come to his defense on the platform.
The Ukrainian leader travelled to London and met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, as planned, on Saturday. Zelensky remarked on social media that they’d had a “meaningful and warm meeting.”
“During our talks, we discussed the challenges facing Ukraine and all of Europe, coordination with partners, concrete steps to strengthen Ukraine’s position, and ending the war with a just peace, along with robust security guarantees,” Zelensky said.
Later on Saturday, British Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves and Ukraine’s Finance Minister Sergii Marchenko signed the U.K.-Ukraine Bilateral agreement. The U.K. reinforced its support for Ukraine with a £2.26 billion loan to bolster Ukrainian defence capabilities.
On Sunday, Zelensky was the guest of honor at a summit of European leaders in London, held by Starmer, which focused on Ukraine and European security. Joining various high-profile leaders from across Europe, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was in attendance. During the summit, Starmer set forth his intentions, revealing that himself and other European leaders will work on a plan to present to the U.S.
“In my conversations in recent days, we agreed a group of us will work with Ukraine on a plan to stop the fighting, and then discuss that with the U.S. and take it forward together,” Starmer said, according to the BBC. “Even while Russia talks about peace, they are continuing their relentless aggression. That is the agenda and we need to agree what steps come out of this meeting to deliver peace through strength for the benefit of all.”
Later on Sunday, Zelensky was hosted by King Charles III at Sandringham Estate in Norfolk.
With Ukraine and U.S. relations now under a spotlight, Zelensky posted a lengthy statement to X on Saturday, stating he was “thankful” to Trump, Congress, and the American people for their support, and that the country’s help has been “vital” in Ukraine’s survival.
“It’s crucial for us to have President Trump’s support. He wants to end the war, but no one wants peace more than we do,” Zelensky said. “We are the ones living this war in Ukraine. It’s a fight for our freedom, for our very survival… Our situation is tough, but we can’t just stop fighting and not having guarantees that Putin will not return tomorrow.”
Here’s how world leaders have responded to the Oval Office showdown:
Australia
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reified the country’s support for Ukraine in a press conference with reporters soon after the exchange.
“We stand with Ukraine,” he said. “The people of Ukraine are fighting not just for their own national sovereignty, they are fighting for the international rule of law.”
Alexander Schallenberg, the acting Chancellor of Austria echoed these sentiments. highlighting that his country “stands with Ukraine.”
Austria
Former Federal Chancellor of the Republic of Austria Karl Nehammer made a show of support to Ukraine via social media. “The Ukrainian people have been courageously defending their country against the Russian aggressor, for more than three years,” he said. “We all want this war to end, at last. Russia is the aggressor and therefore Europe supports Ukraine‘s efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace!”
Belgium
Belgium’s Prime Minister, Bart De Wever, echoed his fellow European leaders’ support. In a statement shared on X, he said: “We stand behind Ukraine and the Ukrainian people in their historic fight to defend themselves against an unprovoked Russian aggression. Their fight is our fight. United we are strong.”
Canada
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that Canada will “continue to stand with Ukraine.”
“Russia illegally and unjustifiably invaded Ukraine,” he said, via a post on X. “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.”
Denmark
Mette Frederiksen, the Prime Minister of Denmark, said: “Denmark proudly stands with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people.”
England
Zelensky has since arrived in England for a planned meeting with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, as a statement from Downing Street shared that Starmer still expresses “unwavering support for Ukraine.” Starmer reportedly spoke with both Trump—who he met in the Oval Office earlier this week—and Zelensky after the heated exchange.
Starmer took to X after his meeting with Zelensky and posted a video of himself greeting the Ukrainian President.
“Action, not just words. Britain stands with Ukraine, today and always,” he said.
