European leaders mounted a vigorous defense of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday after U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance subjected him to a barrage of condescending and scornful remarks during an Oval Office meeting. The episode, widely seen as a pivotal moment in transatlantic relations, underscored a growing divide between Washington and its European allies over the future of support for Ukraine.
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas encapsulated the mood on the continent, declaring: “Today, it became clear that the free world needs a new leader. It’s up to us, Europeans, to take this challenge.”
Her comments reflected an emerging consensus in European capitals that, with Trump prioritizing a rapprochement with Russian President Vladimir Putin and signaling a retreat from U.S. leadership in Ukraine, Europe must assume greater responsibility for the war effort.
French President Emmanuel Macron was among the first to rebuke Trump’s stance. Speaking to reporters in Paris, he emphasized the moral and strategic stakes at play:
“There is an aggressor, which is Russia, and a people who have suffered aggression, which is Ukraine,” Macron said, rejecting Trump’s attempts to equate both sides. “You have to respect those who have been fighting since the beginning because they are fighting for their dignity, their independence, for their children, and for the security of Europe.”
Macron also stressed that Ukraine’s resistance was not solely a U.S.-led effort but rather an international one, supported by Europe, Canada, and Japan.
The transatlantic rupture reached a boiling point in Washington when Trump berated Zelenskyy, accusing him of “gambling with World War III” by refusing to concede Ukrainian territory to Russia. The former reality TV star, who has long praised Putin and espoused isolationist policies, reportedly demanded that Zelenskyy accept a peace deal on Moscow’s terms, reinforcing the Kremlin’s demands that Ukraine stay out of NATO and relinquish occupied territories.
Zelenskyy, however, stood firm, arguing that any settlement rewarding Russian aggression would be tantamount to appeasement. Following the meeting, Macron issued a pointed rebuttal to Trump’s framing of the war:
“If someone is playing World War III, his name is Vladimir Putin,” the French president told Portuguese television.
Germany’s likely next chancellor, Friedrich Merz, struck a similar tone, personally addressing Zelenskyy on social media. “Dear Volodymyr, we stand with you in good and testing times,” he wrote, reinforcing Berlin’s commitment to Kyiv.
In a striking display of solidarity, European leaders issued a coordinated chorus of support for Ukraine in the wake of Trump’s remarks.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk reassured Ukrainians that “you are not alone.”
Swedish Prime Minister’s office affirmed that Ukraine was fighting not just for itself but for all of Europe.
Czech, Spanish, Latvian, and Lithuanian officials echoed similar statements, reinforcing their unwavering backing of Kyiv.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen took to social media to post a direct message to Zelenskyy: “Be strong, be brave, be fearless. You are never alone, dear President @ZelenskyyUa.”
This sentiment was amplified by European Council and Parliament presidents, who shared identical messages in a show of unity.
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever was unequivocal in his support, stating: “Their fight is our fight.” Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp added that Europe would back Ukraine with “whatever it takes, for as long as it takes.”
Despite her strong ties to Trump, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni sought to prevent further transatlantic fragmentation. She called for an urgent EU-U.S. summit to recalibrate diplomatic relations and find common ground on Ukraine.
“What is needed is an immediate summit between the United States, European states, and allies to talk frankly about how we intend to deal with the great challenges of today, starting with Ukraine, which together we have defended in recent years,” Meloni stated.
To further coordinate their response, European leaders will convene in London on Sunday at the invitation of U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Zelenskyy is expected to attend, making the meeting a critical moment for Western strategy.
A spokesperson for Starmer confirmed that he had spoken with both Trump and Zelenskyy on Friday, reiterating Britain’s unwavering support for Ukraine.
“Prime Minister Starmer retains unwavering support for Ukraine,” the spokesperson said.
While most European leaders condemned Trump’s remarks, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán stood apart, praising Trump for “bravely standing for peace.”
Orbán, who has long admired both Trump and Putin, posted on X (formerly Twitter): “Strong men make peace, weak men make war.” His statement was widely interpreted as aligning with Trump’s narrative that Ukraine should concede territory for the sake of stability.
This latest episode marks a potential turning point in the postwar Western alliance. With Trump increasingly aligning with Putin and prioritizing U.S. isolationism, Europe faces a stark choice: continue relying on American leadership or step into a more independent geopolitical role.
The signs point to the latter. As Macron, von der Leyen, and other European officials have indicated, the EU is preparing for a future where it must take the lead on defending Ukraine—and, by extension, European security itself.
For now, European leaders have drawn a clear line in the sand. If Trump is unwilling to stand by Ukraine, they will.
