European leaders lined as much as present solidarity with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Friday, after he got here beneath assault from U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance in a surprising White Home shouting match.
Inside a short while, prime ministers and presidents from the north, south, east and west of the continent posted on social media in help of Zelenskiy and Ukraine within the warfare in opposition to Russia’s invasion, following the extraordinary conflict.
Whereas they didn’t instantly criticise the U.S. president, their feedback made clear they stood by Kyiv – highlighting a serious rift between conventional allies the USA and Europe over the warfare since Trump returned to workplace.
“There’s an aggressor: Russia. There’s a people who find themselves beneath assault: Ukraine,” French President Emmanuel Macron, who visited Trump this week, posted on X.
“Respect to those that, for the reason that starting, have been preventing. As a result of they’re preventing for his or her dignity, their independence, for his or her youngsters and for the safety of Europe,” Macron added.
Earlier, Trump had accused Zelenskiy of disrespecting the USA. The 2 leaders had been anticipated to conclude a deal on exploiting Ukraine’s mineral assets however Zelenskiy left the White Home with out signing the settlement.
Trump additionally stated Zelenskiy was not prepared for peace.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk was among the many first to indicate his help for Zelenskiy and Ukraine on social media, telling them: “You aren’t alone.”
European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa – the European Union’s two high officers – advised Zelenskiy in a joint put up: “Your dignity honors the bravery of the Ukrainian individuals.”
“Be robust, be courageous, be fearless. You might be by no means alone,” they stated. “We’ll proceed working with you for a simply and lasting peace.”
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated: “No person needs peace greater than the Ukrainians do.”
German conservative chief Friedrich Merz, Scholz’s possible successor after his occasion gained final Sunday’s normal election, posted: “We stand with #Ukraine in good and in testing instances. We mustn’t ever confuse aggressor and sufferer on this horrible warfare.”
The European Union’s international coverage chief, Kaja Kallas – a former prime minister of Estonia – was blunt in her feedback.
“At present, it turned clear that the free world wants a brand new chief. It is as much as us, Europeans, to take this problem,” she stated.
“We’ll step up our help to Ukraine in order that they will proceed to struggle again the aggressor.”
Leaders from Belgium, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Eire, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden had been additionally amongst these expressing help for Ukraine.
In contrast, Hungarian nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a Trump ally, backed the U.S. president.
“Robust males make peace, weak males make warfare,” he posted on X. “At present President @realDonaldTrump stood bravely for peace. Even when it was tough for a lot of to digest. Thanks, Mr. President!”
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