Several European leaders, such as French president Emmanuel Macron, have on Friday evening expressed their solidarity with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky after a meeting between Zelensky and US president Donald Trump degenerated into an open argument. Trump accused Zelensky in the White House of “gambling with a Third World War”.

During the meeting, the US president said it will be “very difficult” to negotiate with his Ukrainian counterpart. “Either you make a deal or we drop you,” Trump threatened, warning that Zelensky will have to compromise with the Russians.

French president Macron, who was visiting Donald Trump just a few days ago, emphasised his support for Ukraine when talking to journalists in Portugal, where he is on a state visit. “Russia is the aggressor, and it is Ukraine that is under attack,” he said. “We were right to help Ukraine and sanction Russia 3 years ago. We will continue to do so. We have to respect those who have been fighting since the beginning of the war.”

Polish prime minister Donald Tusk, whose country holds the six-month presidency of the Council of the EU, sent a message of solidarity to Volodymyr Zelensky and the Ukrainian people on X. “Dear Volodymyr Zelensky, dear Ukrainian friends, you are not alone,” he posted. Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez quickly followed and posted “Ukraine, Spain stands with you”.

In Russia, Kirill Dmitriev, called the confrontation between Zelensky and Trump “historic”. Dmitriev heads the Russian Direct Investment Fund and was one of the Russian negotiators in the Russia-US talks held in Saudi Arabia on 18 February.

Zelensky himself has after the meeting on X thanked the US for their support and for the visit. During the meeting, Trump had also accused Zelensky of being disrespectful and ungrateful. “Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for that,” declared Zelensky.

^{Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky leaves the White House after meeting US president Donald Trump © BELGA PHOTO Jim Loscalzo – Pool via Cnp/CNP via ZUMA Press Wire}

Related news