Europe Backs Ukraine After Trump-Zelenskyy Oval Office Clash

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Europe Backs Ukraine After Trump-Zelenskyy Oval Office Clash \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ European leaders rushed to reaffirm their support for Ukraine following the contentious Oval Office meeting between President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Their statements of solidarity highlighted a deepening transatlantic divide over Ukraine policy. Meanwhile, Italy has proposed an urgent U.S.-Europe summit, while NATO and EU leaders have privately assured Zelenskyy that their backing remains unwavering. The diplomatic fallout raises concerns over Western unity in the face of Russian aggression as Ukraine enters its fourth year of war.

European Response to Trump-Zelenskyy Meeting: Quick Looks

European Leaders React: Officials across Europe reaffirmed their commitment to Ukraine following Trump’s scolding of Zelenskyy.
U.S.-EU Rift Widens: Italy’s Giorgia Meloni called for an immediate transatlantic summit, warning that Western divisions weaken global security.
Germany’s Likely Next Chancellor Speaks Out: Friedrich Merz promised stronger EU support for Ukraine, in contrast to Trump’s uncertain stance.
Far-Right Leaders Applaud Trump: Hungary’s Viktor Orbán and Germany’s AfD party celebrated Trump and Vance’s approach to Ukraine.
NATO Assurances to Zelenskyy: French President Emmanuel Macron and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte reaffirmed their unwavering support.
Sweden and Estonia Warn of Russian Expansion: Nordic and Baltic leaders highlighted the risk of Russian aggression spreading beyond Ukraine.

Deep Look

The fallout from the explosive Oval Office meeting between Trump, Vance, and Zelenskyy has exposed deep transatlantic divisions over Ukraine policy. While Trump berated Zelenskyy and abruptly canceled a minerals deal, European leaders were quick to express solidarity with Ukraine, underscoring fears that U.S. support for Kyiv is wavering.

A Deepening Transatlantic Divide

European leaders were already on edge after Vance’s speech at the Munich Security Conference two weeks ago, where he criticized European democracy and signaled that the U.S. under Trump may reassess its role in NATO and Ukraine aid.

The Oval Office confrontation only reinforced these concerns. As European governments scrambled to respond, several leaders held emergency summits to reassess their defense strategies.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to host a major European security summit in London on Sunday, bringing together more than a dozen European and EU leaders, including Zelenskyy, to chart the path forward.

Europe’s Strongest Voices for Ukraine

While many European officials avoided direct criticism of Trump and Vance, their statements were clear in reaffirming support for Ukraine.

French President Emmanuel Macron, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, and European Council President Antonio Costa all spoke with Zelenskyy immediately after the White House meeting, offering him their full support.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen sent a direct message to Zelenskyy, writing:
“Your dignity honors the bravery of the Ukrainian people. Be strong, be brave, be fearless. You are never alone.”
Germany’s likely next chancellor, Friedrich Merz, echoed these sentiments, saying:
“Dear Volodymyr @zelenskyyua, we stand with #Ukraine in good and in testing times. We must never confuse aggressor and victim in this terrible war.”

Merz’s conservative CDU party recently won Germany’s national election, ensuring that Ukraine will have an even stronger advocate in the EU’s most powerful country.

However, far-right and pro-Russian politicians in Europe took a different stance.

Far-Right Leaders Celebrate Trump’s Approach

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a longtime ally of the Kremlin, praised Trump for “standing bravely for peace”, suggesting that Zelenskyy was working against his own country’s interests.

“Strong men make peace, weak men make war,” Orbán wrote on X.

Similarly, Alice Weidel, co-leader of Germany’s far-right AfD party, called the Oval Office confrontation “historic”, adding:

“Trump & Vance!”

The AfD, which has called for lifting sanctions on Russia and cutting off weapons to Ukraine, has grown in political strength in Germany, raising concerns about shifting European sentiment on the war.

A Call for Transatlantic Unity

Among the most urgent reactions came from Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who proposed an immediate summit between the U.S. and European allies to address Western divisions over Ukraine.

“Every division of the West makes us all weaker and favors those who would like to see the decline of our civilization,” Meloni said.

She warned that if the U.S. and Europe become divided on Ukraine, Russia will be the biggest beneficiary.

Nordic and Baltic Leaders Warn of Russian Expansion

For nations on the front lines of potential Russian aggression, the meeting raised alarm bells.

Estonia’s Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said that the only obstacle to peace is Putin, adding:
“Europe has enough resources, including Russia’s frozen assets, to enable Ukraine to continue fighting.”
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson reminded Ukraine of what’s at stake for the rest of Europe, writing:
“You are not only fighting for your freedom but also for all of Europe’s.”

Leaders from Austria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, and Spain also publicly affirmed their commitment to Ukraine following the White House meeting.

What’s Next for U.S.-Europe Relations?

With Trump and Vance signaling a shift in U.S. support for Ukraine, European leaders are preparing for the possibility that they may have to take on a greater financial and military burden.

The London summit on Sunday will focus on securing long-term European-led aid for Ukraine.
Pressure is mounting on NATO members to increase military production in case the U.S. reduces support.
The European Union is discussing ways to utilize Russia’s frozen assets to fund Ukraine’s war effort.

While Trump’s unpredictable stance has deepened European anxiety, the response from Europe has been clear and unified: Ukraine will not be abandoned.

As the war enters its fourth year, the transatlantic alliance faces a defining moment—and the outcome of U.S. policy will shape the future of European security for years to come.