How are global leaders reacting to the Zelenskyy-Trump White House clash?

Strong criticism from US lawmakers

Senate Democrats accused Trump and Vance of acting in Russian President Vladimir Putin’s interests. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer stated, “Trump and Vance are doing Putin’s dirty work. Senate Democrats will never stop fighting for freedom and democracy.”

Trump and Vance are doing Putin’s dirty work.

Senate Democrats will never stop fighting for freedom and democracy. https://t.co/HC71aoXXuf

— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) February 28, 2025

Republican Representative Don Bacon of Nebraska criticized the handling of the meeting, calling it “a bad day for America’s foreign policy.” Bacon added, “Ukraine wants independence, free markets and rule of law. It wants to be part of the West. Russia hates us and our Western values. We should be clear that we stand for freedom.”

Bacon: “A bad day for America’s foreign policy. Ukraine wants independence, free markets and rule of law. It wants to be part of the West. Russia hates us and our Western values. We should be clear that we stand for freedom.” https://t.co/U1M23nMtJz

— Rep. Don Bacon 🇺🇸✈️🏍️⭐️🎖️ (@RepDonBacon) February 28, 2025

Democratic lawmakers were even more direct in their rebuke. One senator called the exchange a “sad scene” and an “utter embarrassment for America.” Another labeled it “a disgrace.” A third kept the reaction simple, saying, “Shame. Shame. Shame.” A House representative wrote on X, “It was a great day for Vladimir Putin. President Trump and VP Vance are the best lackeys he’s ever had.”

Russian officials mock Zelenskyy

Reacting to the meeting, Russia’s foreign ministry spokeswoman remarked that it was “a miracle of restraint” that Trump and Vance did not resort to physical aggression. Meanwhile, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev took to social media with an abusive post, applauding Zelenskyy for receiving “a proper slap down in the Oval Office.”

The insolent pig finally got a proper slap down in the Oval Office. And @realDonaldTrump is right: The Kiev regime is “gambling with WWIII.”

— Dmitry Medvedev (@MedvedevRussiaE) February 28, 2025

Ukrainian foreign minister defends Zelenskyy’s stance

Ukraine’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha praised President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for having the “bravery and strength to stand up for what is right.” Zelenskyy “stands up for Ukraine and the goal of a just and lasting peace,” Sybiha stated on X, while also expressing gratitude for US support.

President @ZelenskyyUa has the bravery and strength to stand up for what is right. He stands up for Ukraine and the goal of a just and lasting peace. We have always been and will continue to be grateful to America for its support. https://t.co/iFiLmVhuX7

— Andrii Sybiha 🇺🇦 (@andrii_sybiha) February 28, 2025

Sybiha noted that he has spoken with several European counterparts, including the foreign ministers of the Netherlands, Estonia, and Spain, following Zelenskyy’s meeting with Donald Trump.

France’s Macron backs Ukraine over ‘aggressor’ Russia

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot reaffirmed on X that Moscow is the aggressor and emphasized that it is now a time for action for Europeans. (AP photo)

French President Emmanuel Macron said that Russia is the aggressor and Ukrainians are the aggressed people when asked about the heated exchange between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. “We must … respect those who have been fighting since the beginning,” he told reporters during his visit to Portugal, as quoted by Reuters.

“I think we were all right to help Ukraine and sanction Russia three years ago, and to continue to do so. We, that is the United States of America, the Europeans, the Canadians, the Japanese and many others,” he said.

‘Ukraine, Spain stands with you,’ Spanish Prime Minister says

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed solidarity with Ukraine in a social media update, posting his message in Spanish, English, and Ukrainian: “Ucrania, España está contigo. Ukraine, Spain stands with you. Україно, Іспанія з тобою.”

Ucrania, España está contigo.

Ukraine, Spain stands with you.

Україно, Іспанія з тобою. 🇺🇦 🇪🇸

— Pedro Sánchez (@sanchezcastejon) February 28, 2025

Poland’s Tusk stands with Ukraine

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk voiced solidarity with Zelenskyy in a social media post, assuring Ukraine that it was not alone. “Dear @ZelenskyyUa, dear Ukrainian friends, you are not alone,” he wrote.

Dear @ZelenskyyUa, dear Ukrainian friends, you are not alone.

— Donald Tusk (@donaldtusk) February 28, 2025

More European leaders reaffirm support for Ukraine

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre reiterated support for Ukraine, stating, “We stand by Ukraine in their fair struggle for a just and lasting peace.” Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson echoed similar sentiments as per The Guardian, “Sweden stands with Ukraine. You are not only fighting for your freedom but also for all of Europe’s. Slava Ukraini!”

We stand by Ukraine in their fair struggle for a just and lasting peace.

🇺🇦🇳🇴

— Jonas Gahr Støre (@jonasgahrstore) February 28, 2025

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda assured, “Ukraine, you’ll never walk alone.” Irish Foreign Minister Simon Harris emphasised, “Ukraine is not to blame for this war brought about by Russia’s illegal invasion. We stand with Ukraine.”

Ukraine, you’ll never walk alone.

— Gitanas Nausėda (@GitanasNauseda) February 28, 2025

 

Ukraine is not to blame for this war brought about by Russia’s illegal invasion.

We stand with Ukraine. 🇺🇦 🇮🇪

— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) February 28, 2025

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Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala added, “We stand with Ukraine and on the side of the free world!” Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa kept it brief, “Latvia stands with Ukraine.”

We stand with Ukraine and on the side of the free world!

— Petr Fiala (@P_Fiala) February 28, 2025

Latvia stands with Ukraine. 🇱🇻🇺🇦

— Evika Siliņa 🇱🇻🇺🇦 (@EvikaSilina) February 28, 2025

Germany reaffirms commitment to Ukraine

‘Ukraine can rely on Germany,’ Scholz reportedly said. (AP photo)

Outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said, as per The Guardian, “Nobody wants peace more than the citizens of Ukraine! That is why we are working together to find a way to a lasting and just peace. Ukraine can rely on Germany – and on Europe.”

Dutch Prime Minister favours Ukraine

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof reiterated support, stating, “The Netherlands supports Ukraine as firmly as ever. Now more than ever.”

The Netherlands supports Ukraine as firmly as ever. Now more than ever. We want a lasting peace and an end to the war of aggression started by Russia. For Ukraine and its people, and for Europe.

— Dick Schoof (@MinPres) February 28, 2025

Portugal supports Ukraine as well

Portuguese President Luis Montenegro kept his message clear, “Ukraine can always count on Portugal, @ZelenskyyUa.”

A Ucrânia pode sempre contar com Portugal, @ZelenskyyUa. 🇵🇹🇺🇦

Ukraine can always count on Portugal, @ZelenskyyUa. 🇵🇹🇺🇦

— Luís Montenegro (@LMontenegropm) February 28, 2025

(With inputs from The Guardian)