Africa News 24 Pretoria Bureau
PRETORIA, South Africa – The fallout from a tense and abruptly ended Oval Office meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has sparked a wave of global solidarity for Ukraine. Leaders from Europe and beyond have rushed to reaffirm their support for Zelensky and condemn what many see as an increasingly hostile stance from the Trump administration toward the war-torn nation.
The meeting, originally intended to discuss continued US military aid and economic cooperation, quickly deteriorated into a contentious exchange. Trump, in a heated moment, warned Zelensky against “gambling with World War III” and suggested that Ukraine should seek a ceasefire with Russia. Vice President JD Vance accused Zelensky of using his visit as a “propaganda tour,” while Trump abruptly cancelled a planned minerals deal that would have granted the US access to Ukraine’s rare-earth resources.
Zelensky left the White House without the usual diplomatic formalities, skipping a joint press conference and offering only brief remarks to reporters before departing. The tense encounter underscored the growing divide between Ukraine and its most crucial ally under the Trump administration.
As news of the meeting spread, world leaders swiftly took to social media and official channels to express their unwavering support for Ukraine and its president. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk reassured Zelensky and the Ukrainian people that they were “not alone,” while Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda echoed the sentiment, declaring, “Ukraine, you’ll never walk alone.” French President Emmanuel Macron issued one of the strongest statements, reminding the world that “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.”
Germany’s incoming chancellor, Friedrich Merz, reaffirmed Berlin’s commitment to Ukraine, stating that “we must never confuse aggressor and victim in this terrible war,” while Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson indicated that Ukraine was “not only fighting for your freedom but also for all of Europe’s. Slava Ukraini!” Croatia’s Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, drawing on his country’s own history, underscored that only a “just peace can last” and that Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity must be preserved.
Other European leaders, including those from Denmark, Finland, Estonia, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg, joined in condemning Russia’s aggression and vowing continued support for Ukraine. Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs insisted that “Ukraine is a victim of Russian aggression” and called for a “just and lasting peace.” Ireland’s Deputy Prime Minister Simon Harris added, “Ukraine is not to blame for this war brought about by Russia’s illegal invasion. We stand with Ukraine.”
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The fallout from the White House meeting has deepened political divisions within the United States. Democratic lawmakers, including Senator Chris Murphy, condemned Trump’s handling of the encounter, calling it a “shameful moment” for American foreign policy. Murphy pointed out that Zelensky had been nothing but grateful for US support and that Trump’s behaviour risked damaging Ukraine’s war effort. However, some Republican figures, including Senator Lindsey Graham, suggested that Zelensky should either “resign or change” his approach to relations with the US.
With the minerals deal now scrapped and Trump’s push for an immediate ceasefire, the future of US-Ukraine relations remains uncertain. Zelensky, determined to secure Ukraine’s sovereignty, continues to call for stronger security guarantees and support from Western allies. Meanwhile, the international community has made it clear that, regardless of Trump’s stance, Ukraine will not stand alone in its fight for survival.
