The EU overseas coverage chief has declared that “the free world needs a new leader”, as European leaders threw their help behind Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, after the gorgeous White Home confrontation between him and Donald Trump.
Leaders from throughout Europe expressed their solidarity with the Ukrainian chief after the fractious trade with JD Vance, the US vice-president, and Trump, who claimed he was not “ready for peace” and accused him of “gambling with world war three”.
Though basically the European leaders didn’t title the US president, their feedback late on Friday laid naked the gaping rift between the US and its conventional allies in Europe over the struggle in Ukraine.
In a social media put up Kaja Kallas, the EU excessive consultant for overseas affairs and safety coverage, wrote: “Ukraine is Europe! We stand by Ukraine. We will step up our support to Ukraine so that they can continue to fight back the aggressor.
“Today, it became clear that the free world needs a new leader. It’s up to us, Europeans, to take this challenge.”
Addressing Zelenskyy immediately, Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the EU Fee, wrote: “Your dignity honors the bravery of the Ukrainian people. Be strong, be brave, be fearless. You are never alone.”
She added: “We will continue working with you for a just and lasting peace.”
The British prime minister, Keir Starmer, who only a day earlier than had visited Trump on the White Home, referred to as Zelenskyy to specific his help, a No 10 spokesperson stated.
Starmer – who failed in his effort to persuade Trump to commit US help for a European-led peacekeeping power in Ukraine – instructed Zelenskyy that “he retains his unwavering support for Ukraine and is playing his part to find a path forward to a lasting peace, based on sovereignty and security for Ukraine”, the official stated.
Two days after his personal assembly with Trump in Washington the French president, Emmanuel Macron, responded not directly to the US president’s baseless claims that Zelenskyy was liable for the struggle, telling reporters: “Russia is the aggressor, and Ukraine is the aggressed people … These are simple things, but they’re good to remember at times like these.”
European leaders had already been shaken by Vance’s speech to the Munich safety convention two weeks in the past wherein he lectured them concerning the state of their democracy.
Italy’s prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, referred to as for an emergency assembly between the US, Europe and Ukraine.
“A summit without delay is needed between the United States, European states and their allies to talk frankly about how we intend to tackle today’s major challenges, starting with Ukraine, which together we have defended in recent years,” Meloni stated in an announcement.
Jonas Gahr Støre, Norway’s prime minister, described the episode as “serious and disheartening”.
“That Trump accuses Zelenskyy of gambling with world war three is deeply unreasonable and a statement I distance myself from,” he stated.
The Spanish prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, stated his nation would stand by Ukraine after the row.
Sánchez, a staunch backer of Ukraine since Russia’s 2022 invasion who pledged €1bn of help in a go to to Kyiv earlier this week, wrote on X: “Ukraine, Spain stands with you.”
Poland’s prime minister, Donald Tusk, was among the many first to indicate his help for Zelenskyy and Ukraine on social media, telling them: “You are not alone.”
The outgoing German chancellor, Olaf Scholz, the Dutch prime minister, Dick Schoof, Luxembourg’s prime minister, Luc Frieden, and Portugal’s prime minister, Luís Montenegro, additionally professed their help for Ukraine, together with different leaders from Belgium, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Eire, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovenia, and Sweden.
Canada’s prime minister, Justin Trudeau, stated Ukraine’s battle towards Russia is a protection of democracy.
“Russia illegally and unjustifiably invaded Ukraine. 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,” he posted on X.
“Canada will continue to stand with Ukraine,” Trudeau added.
Some world leaders, nevertheless, sided with Trump.
Viktor Orbán, Hungary’s prime minister, wrote on X: “Strong men make peace, weak men make war.
“Today President @realDonaldTrump stood bravely for peace. Even if it was difficult for many to digest. Thank you, Mr. President!”
Orbán, an outspoken critic of western help to Ukraine, has been at odds with different Nato nations over Orbán’s continued cultivation of shut ties to Russia.
