A tense meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Friday ended in a diplomatic debacle, triggering a wave of international reactions.
The Oval Office meeting, which was expected to reaffirm U.S. support for Ukraine amid its ongoing war with Russia, instead exposed stark divisions. Reuters reported that a scheduled joint press conference was abruptly canceled after a heated exchange between the two leaders, fueling speculation about the state of U.S.-Ukraine relations.
Meanwhile, none of the representatives of the six Western Balkan states have reacted to the incident in the Oval Office. The Prime Minister of North Macedonia, Hristijan Mickoski, and the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, are known as the region’s closest politicians to President Trump’s administration.
Following the meeting, Zelenskiy took to social media platform X, expressing gratitude toward the United States:
“Thank you, America, thank you for your support, thank you for this visit. Thank you @POTUS, Congress, and the American people. Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for that.”
CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER JUSTIN TRUDEAU ON X:
“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. Canada will continue to stand with Ukraine and Ukrainians in achieving a just and lasting peace.”
GERMAN CHANCELLOR OLAF SCHOLZ:
“No one wants peace more than the citizens of Ukraine! That is why we are jointly seeking the path to a lasting and just peace. Ukraine can rely on Germany – and on Europe.”
FRENCH PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON, SPEAKING TO REPORTERS IN PORTUGAL:
“Russia is the aggressor, and Ukraine is the aggressed people. I think we were all right to help Ukraine and sanction Russia three years ago, and to continue to do so. We must thank all those who have helped and respect those who have been fighting since the beginning. Because they are fighting for their dignity, their independence, their children, and the security of Europe.”
ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER GIORGIA MELONI:
“Every division of the West makes us all weaker and favors those who would like to see the decline of our civilization. A division would not benefit anyone. What is needed is an immediate summit between the United States, European states, and allies to talk frankly about how we intend to deal with the great challenges of today, starting with Ukraine, which we have defended together in recent years.”
BRITISH PRIME MINISTER KEIR STARMER’S SPOKESPERSON:
“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.”
AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER ANTHONY ALBANESE:
“We will continue to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes because this is the struggle of a democratic nation versus an authoritarian regime led by Vladimir Putin, who clearly has imperialistic designs, not just on Ukraine, but throughout that region.”
DENMARK’S FOREIGN MINISTER LARS LOKKE RASMUSSEN ON FACEBOOK:
“It’s a punch in the gut for Ukraine. … There must be room for robust conversations—even between friends. But when it happens in front of rolling cameras like that, there is only one winner. And he sits in the Kremlin.”
FORMER RUSSIAN PRESIDENT DMITRY MEDVEDEV, DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF RUSSIA’S SECURITY COUNCIL, ON TELEGRAM:
“A brutal dressing down in the Oval Office.”
EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT URSULA VON DER LEYEN ON X:
“Your dignity honors the bravery of the Ukrainian people. Be strong, be brave, be fearless. You are never alone, dear President. We will continue working with you for a just and lasting peace.”
MOLDOVAN PRESIDENT MAIA SANDU ON X:
“The truth is simple. Russia invaded Ukraine. Russia is the aggressor. Ukraine defends its freedom—and ours. We stand with Ukraine.”
HUNGARIAN PRIME MINISTER VIKTOR ORBAN 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!”
CZECH PRESIDENT PETR PAVEL ON X:
“We stand with Ukraine more than ever. Time for Europe to step up its efforts.”
NORWEGIAN PRIME MINISTER JONAS GAHR STOERE TO TV2:
“What we saw from the White House today is serious and disheartening. Ukraine still needs the US’s support, and Ukraine’s security and future are also important to the US and to Europe. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has strong support in Ukraine, broad support in Europe, and he has led his people through a very demanding and brutal time, under attack from Russia. That Trump accuses Zelenskiy of gambling with World War III is deeply unreasonable. Norway stands with Ukraine in their struggle for freedom.”
