World leaders have vowed to stand by Ukraine after Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky locked horns in a blistering row on Friday.
Tempers flared inside the Oval Office over comments by the Ukrainian leader that ‘killer’ Putin could not be trusted.
Trump accused Zelensky of ‘gambling with World War III’ and warned him to either ‘make a deal or we’re out’.
The extraordinary confrontation has threatened to overshadow talks for a ceasefire in the Ukraine-Russia war.
Responding to the spat, French president Emmanuel Macron, who himself met Trump last week, reiterated that ‘Russia’ was the aggressor.
‘There is an aggressor which is Russia. There is an aggressed people which is Ukraine,’ Macron told journalists during a state visit to Portugal.
‘I think we were all right to help Ukraine and sanction Russia three years ago and to continue to do so,’ he added.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk also vowed to stand by Ukraine following the contentious meeting.
US President Donald Trump and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky meet in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington
Responding to the spat, French president Emmanuel Macron , who himself met Trump last week, reiterated that ‘ Russia ‘ was the aggressor
The extraordinary confrontation has threatened to overshadow talks for a ceasefire in the Ukraine-Russia war (pictured: Zelensky during the meeting)
‘Dear @ZelenskyyUa, dear Ukrainian friends, you are not alone,’ Tusk wrote on X late Friday.
Meanwhile, Penny Mordaunt said: ‘Outraged at the scenes in the oval office? We should strengthen Zelensky’s hand, to use Trump’s metaphor.
‘The UK and EU must do more to strengthen Europe’s defence. Vocal support is not enough.
‘The aid-budget-fudge is not enough. Carry on as we are, is not enough. Wake up Britain. Wake up Europe.’
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez also through his support behind Zelensky.
‘Ukraine, Spain stands with you,’ he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter on Friday.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmygal reiterated the comments made by Zelenksy during his meeting with Trump.
‘Zelensky is right. Peace without guarantees is not possible,’ Shmygal said on X.
‘Cease-fire without guarantees is the way to Russian occupation of the (whole) European continent.’
German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock said on X:’ Germany together with our European allies stands united alongside #Ukraine – and against the Russian aggression.
‘Ukraine can build on unwavering support from Germany, Europe and beyond. Their defence of democracy & their quest for peace & security is ours.’
The comments come after it was revealed that Trump halted peace talks and kicked Zelensky out of the White House after the blistering spat.
‘It’s amazing what comes out through emotion, and I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for Peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations,’ he said in a post on Truth Social.
‘I don’t want advantage, I want PEACE. He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office.
‘He can come back when he is ready for peace.’
The two men were scheduled to participate in a press conference later Friday.
However, this event was canceled and Zelensky was seen exiting the White House about two hours after his arrival.
In his own message on social media, he said: ‘Thank you America, thank you for your support, thank you for this visit.
‘Thank you @POTUS, Congress, and the American people. Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for that.’
During the meeting, Trump threatened he would abandon Ukraine completely if Zelensky did not agree to his peace terms.
However, Kyiv’s leader held his own, even showing Trump photos he brought of the devastation to his country and arguing he had thanked the American people.
The shouting match was unlike anything ever seen publicly in the Oval Office. And it played out on TV screens across the world.
‘You’re gambling with World War III,’ Trump warned Zelensky.
