European leaders pledge to stand by Ukraine after confrontational Oval
Office meeting with Trump
[March 01, 2025]
By STEFANIE DAZIO and SUSIE BLANN
BERLIN (AP) — European leaders pledged late Friday to stand by Ukraine
in the wake of the contentious Oval Office meeting between U.S.
President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, with their statements in support of their neighbor
on the continent ensuring a deepening transatlantic rift.
European leaders already were shaken by Vance's speech to the Munich
Security Conference two weeks ago in which he lectured them about the
state of their democracy. As prime ministers and presidents across the
continent scrambled to respond, they have held a series of emergency
summits to discuss security.
Another major summit is scheduled for Sunday in London, hosted by U.K.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer. More than a dozen European and EU leaders,
including Zelenskyy, will gather for a meeting meant to drive forward
action on Ukraine and security.
Starmer spoke with both Trump and Zelenskyy on Friday and maintained his
strong support for Ukraine, his office said in a statement.
“He 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,” the statement said.
The European leaders' comments Friday largely did not mention Trump or
Vance, but rather sought to assure Ukraine of their support as the war
with Russia enters its fourth year. Zelenskyy re-posted their comments
on X, writing “thank you for your support” to each — likely a dig at the
Trump administration.
During the extraordinary meeting Friday in Washington, Trump chided
Zelenskyy after Vance, one of the administration’s most skeptical voices
on Ukraine, said he was being disrespectful for debating Trump in the
Oval Office in front of the American media.
“Have you said ‘thank you’ once?” Vance asked Zelenskyy.
The Ukrainian president said four times during the course of their
exchange that he was thankful or had already expressed his thanks.
Trump then called off the signing of a minerals deal that he said would
have moved Ukraine closer to ending its war with Russia. Zelenskyy left
the White House shortly after Trump shouted at him, showing open
disdain. The White House said the Ukrainian delegation was told to
leave.
A senior Ukrainian official said Zelenskyy spoke to French President
Emmanuel Macron, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and President of the
European Council Antonio Costa after he left the White House, describing
all the conversations as “supportive” of the Ukrainian leader. The
official, who is familiar with the matter, requested anonymity because
he was not authorized to comment publicly.
Italy’s Premier Giorgia Meloni, however, proposed “an immediate summit”
between the United States and European allies “to speak frankly about
how we intend to face today’s great challenges, starting with Ukraine.”
She urged the West to stay united.
“Every division of the West makes us all weaker and favors those who
would like to see the decline of our civilization,” she said. “A
division would not benefit anyone.”
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Supporters of Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rally outside
of the White House in Washington, Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. (AP
Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
Some posts on X were directed to Zelenskyy. EU Commission President
Ursula von der Leyen told him “your dignity honors the bravery of
the Ukrainian people. Be strong, be brave, be fearless. You are
never alone, dear President.”
And Friedrich Merz, Germany's likely next chancellor, wrote: “Dear
Volodymyr @zelenskyyua, we stand with #Ukraine in good and in
testing times. We must never confuse aggressor and victim in this
terrible war.”
The victory for Merz's party Sunday in Germany's national election
ensured that Ukraine has an even stronger supporter in the European
Union’s largest country. Merz during the campaign promised to unite
Europe in the face of challenges from both Russia and the United
States.
But Alice Weidel, co-leader of the far-right, anti-immigrant
Alternative for Germany party and one of Merz's challengers, wrote
“Historic. Trump & Vance!” on X with a link to a video of the
meeting. AfD's platform calls for the immediate lifting of sanctions
against Russia and opposes weapons deliveries to Ukraine. Weidel
also met with Vance in Munich.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán praised Trump for his conduct
in the Oval Office, casting Zelenskyy as working against peace in
his own country.
“Strong men make peace, weak men make war,” Orbán wrote on X. “Today
President Donald Trump stood bravely for peace. Even if it was
difficult for many to digest. Thank you, Mr. President!”
Orbán is a consistent backer of the Kremlin and has been outspokenly
antagonistic against neighboring Ukraine. After winning the last
Hungarian elections in 2022, less than six weeks after Russia’s
full-scale invasion, he cited Zelenskyy as one of the opponents he
had defeated in the campaign.
Meanwhile in Estonia, which borders Russia, Foreign Minister Margus
Tsahkna said the only obstacle to peace is Russian President
Vladimir Putin 's decision to continue the war.
“It is time for Europe to step up," Tsahkna said in a statement. "We
do not need to wait for something else to happen; Europe has enough
resources, including Russia’s frozen assets, to enable Ukraine to
continue fighting.”
And Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson's reminded Ukraine of
what's at stake for the Nordic and Baltic countries, and others, if
Russia's aggression spreads.
“You are not only fighting for your freedom but also for all of
Europe’s,” Kristersson wrote on X. European officials from Austria,
he Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Latvia, Lithuania,
Norway, Poland and Spain, among others, also offered their support
to Ukraine. __
Blann reported from Kyiv. Associated Press writer Justin Spike in
Kyiv contributed reporting.
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