Special Poll
European leaders came together on Friday to show support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after he faced harsh criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance during a tense Oval Office meeting. The exchange, described as demeaning and dismissive, has deepened divisions between the United States and its European allies.
Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, made a strong statement in response: “Today, it became clear that the free world needs a new leader. It’s up to us, Europeans, to take this challenge.”
The growing rift between the U.S. and Europe is now at a critical point, with many European leaders pushing back against Washington’s increasingly close alignment with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Trump’s confrontational approach toward Zelenskyy.
French President Emmanuel Macron made it clear where France stands, rejecting Trump’s attempt to equate Russia and Ukraine in the conflict. “There is an aggressor, which is Russia, and a people who have suffered aggression, which is Ukraine,” he stated. “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 reminded the world that support for Ukraine has not come only from the United States but also from European nations, Canada, and Japan. His remarks came after a particularly heated moment in the Oval Office, where Trump accused Zelenskyy of “gambling with World War III” by refusing to negotiate with Russia. Macron later responded in an interview with Portuguese television, stating, “If someone is playing World War III, his name is Vladimir Putin.”
The division between Europe and the U.S. over Ukraine is widening, with German Chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz publicly reaffirming Germany’s commitment to Zelenskyy. In a direct message to the Ukrainian president, Merz wrote, “Dear Volodymyr, we stand with Ukraine in good and in testing times.”
For weeks, European leaders have been preparing for a diplomatic break with Washington as Trump pressures Ukraine rather than Russia and pushes for Ukraine to repay the U.S. for military aid through resource deals. While European nations have advocated for long-term security guarantees for Ukraine, Trump has resisted, instead focusing on economic arrangements that would benefit the U.S.
The tone of Trump’s comments has also raised alarms among European leaders. In his remarks, he labeled Zelenskyy a “dictator” while praising Putin as trustworthy, a move that closely echoes the Kremlin’s stance. Trump has also opposed Ukraine’s NATO membership and suggested that Kyiv should surrender territory seized by Russia.
Despite these tensions, European leaders are standing firm in their support for Ukraine. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk reassured Zelenskyy, saying, “Dear Ukrainian friends, you are not alone.” Similar statements of solidarity came from Sweden, the Czech Republic, Spain, Latvia, and Lithuania.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed her encouragement on social media, writing, “Be strong, be brave, be fearless. You are never alone, dear President @ZelenskyyUa.” This coordinated message was also echoed by the leaders of the European Council and the European Parliament.
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever reinforced the sentiment, declaring that Ukraine’s fight is also Europe’s fight, while Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp promised that support for Ukraine will continue “for as long as it takes.”
Even Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, a known Trump ally, urged caution in allowing divisions between Europe and Washington to widen. She called for an urgent EU-U.S. summit to realign diplomatic efforts. “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,” she stated.
In the meantime, a European leaders’ meeting will take place in London this Sunday, organized by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Zelenskyy is expected to attend, and Starmer’s office confirmed that he had spoken to both Zelenskyy and Trump. Starmer remains steadfast in his support for Ukraine, according to a spokesperson.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, however, broke from the European consensus, offering praise for Trump’s stance. In a post on X, Orbán thanked Trump for “bravely standing for peace” and added, “Strong men make peace, weak men make war.”
With sharp disagreements over Ukraine shaping the future of transatlantic relations, this moment could mark a turning point in the postwar Western alliance. European leaders now face the challenge of maintaining unity while adjusting to an unpredictable U.S. administration.