WORLD leaders have crowded around Volodymyr Zelensky in support after his historic, furious row with Donald Trump in the Oval Office.
Leaders from the EU piled in to back Ukraine and blame Russia – which has branded Zelensky an “insolent pig” after the clash.
Trump fumed at Zelensky during their joint press conference in the Oval Office[/caption]
Trump and his vice-president JD Vance, right, attacked Zelensky in unison[/caption]
Chairs stand empty around the table where the deal was to be signed[/caption]
Zelensky yesterday flew to Washington to sign a critical minerals deal, but left the White House early after a sensational scrap.
Trump accused him of “not wanting peace” and “gambling with World War Three” as tensions flared.
The growing division threatens to destabilise the entire western alliance, but Europe has reacted by standing firm with Ukraine.
Kaja Kallas, the EU’s foreign policy chief, even said that the “free world needs a new leader”, after Trump degraded Ukraine’s president with a bitter onslaught.
Keir Starmer is the only leader who has spoken to both Trump and Zelensky since the feud.
A No10 spokesperson said Friday evening: “[Starmer] retains unwavering support for Ukraine, and is doing all he can to find a path forward to a lasting peace based on sovereignty and security for Ukraine.”
He fell short of publicly criticising the US President over the clash.
German chancellor Olaf Scholz posted on X: “Nobody wants peace more than the Ukrainians do.
“Therefore we are working on a common path to a lasting and just peace. Ukraine can rely on Germany – and on Europe.”
And French President Emmanuel Macron, who had a friendly meeting with Trump on Monday, said: “There is an aggressor: Russia. There is a people being aggressed: Ukraine.
“We were all right to help Ukraine and sanction Russia three years ago and to continue doing so.”
The Kremlin is thrilled by the growing US-Ukraine division, which it has goaded on from the sidelines.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Medvedev smeared Zelensky on X: “The insolent pig finally got a proper slap down in the Oval Office.
“And [Donald Trump] is right: The Kiev regime is ‘gambling with WWIII.”
And Russian state media has been cockahoop since Zelensky’s public dressing down.
A TV host on the Rossiya 24 channel said the meeting “looks more like a public flagellation for Zelensky”.
Hungary’s Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán, was the lone EU leader to back Trump’s antics, writing: “Strong men make peace, weak men make war.”
He claimed that Trump had pushed for peace – “even if it was difficult for many to digest”.
Trump mocked ‘big shot’ Zelensky in an interview this morning[/caption]
Zelensky surprised many by going ahead with a scheduled Fox News interview after leaving the White House[/caption]
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen told Mr Zelensky: “Your dignity honours the bravery of the Ukrainian people.
“Be strong, be brave, be fearless. You are never alone. We will continue working with you for a just and lasting peace.”
The Italian PM Giorgia Meloni, who has as special bond with Trump, called for an immediate summit where US and EU leaders “speak frankly” to hammer things out.
She added: “Any division of the West makes us all weaker”.
Yesterday’s high-stakes meeting between Trump and Zelensky collapsed into chaos after the Ukrainian leader challenged JD Vance’s claim the US had tried to use diplomacy to bring peace.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said nobody wanted peace as much as the Ukrainian people[/caption]
Vance and Trump teamed up to lambast Zelensky for failing to show enough gratitude, and demanded he cut a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
At one point, all three men were seen leaning forward, pointing fingers, and throwing their arms around in fury.
When Zelensky pushed back, Trump snapped: “You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people! You’re gambling with World War Three!”
Vance piled on, demanding: “Have you said ‘thank you’ once this entire meeting?”
Zelensky replied: “A lot of times.”
The blow-up ended with Trump scrapping the planned press conference and ordering Zelensky out.
Speaking outside Air Force One, Trump declared: “President Zelensky is not ready for peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations.”
He also claimed: “I don’t want advantage, I want PEACE”, in a post on Truth Social.
Zelensky had “disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office”, he added, telling him to “can come back when he is ready for peace”.
Delays to the peace process mean more Russian bombs raining down on Ukraine as Putin’s army continues to slowly win land.
The Sun Says
PRESIDENT Zelensky is a global hero who has led his wronged country’s brave defence against a tyrant’s war machine.
His ambush by Donald Trump and his vice-president as the world watched was a shocking spectacle.
Zelensky flew to Washington hoping to secure Ukraine’s future, only to be degraded and sent home with no minerals deal.
His courage and leadership have earned him far more respect than the undeserved humiliation he received on live TV.
