Shafaq News/ European leaders voicedtheir support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after US PresidentDonald Trump criticized him on Friday, before asking him to leave the WhiteHouse, according to American media reports.
Europe
French President Emmanuel Macronstated that "Russia is the aggressor" and that "the Ukrainiansare the victims." Speaking to reporters during a visit to Portugal, heemphasized the need to respect those who have fought from the outset, addingthat France was right to “support Ukraine and sanction Russia” over the pastthree years and would “continue to do so.”
The Élysée Palace confirmed thatMacron spoke with Zelenskyy by phone following the White House incident.
Meanwhile, German Chancellor OlafScholz reaffirmed that Ukraine could rely on Germany and Europe, a sentimentechoed by Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, who stressed that Ukraine was“not alone,” and that Europeans stood united with it.
Friedrich Merz, leader of Germany’sChristian Democratic Union, which recently won the elections, warned againstequating “the aggressor with the victim in this war,” reaffirming Germany'sunwavering support for Ukraine.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tuskalso reassured Zelenskyy, stating, "You and the Ukrainian people are notalone."
European Commission President Ursulavon der Leyen addressed Zelenskyy directly, saying, "Your dignity today isa tribute to the courage of the Ukrainian people. Stay strong and brave."She added, "You are never alone, and we will continue working with you fora just and lasting peace."
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchezand Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre also pledged their countries’support for Ukraine, with Støre emphasizing that his nation stood by Ukraine"in its just struggle for a fair and lasting peace."
Swedish Prime Minister UlfKristersson echoed this stance, stating that Ukraine was "not onlyfighting for its freedom but for all of Europe."
British Prime Minister Keir Starmerreaffirmed his "unwavering support for Ukraine" after speaking withboth Trump and Zelenskyy in the wake of their White House confrontation.
News agency PA Media reported thatStarmer spoke with Trump and Zelenskyy, citing a government spokesperson whostated, "Starmer remains steadfast in his support for Ukraine and is doingeverything possible to find a path toward lasting peace based on Ukraine’ssovereignty and security," noting that he looks forward to hostinginternational leaders on Sunday, including Zelenskyy.
US Democratic Governors Back Ukraine
Beyond European leaders, 14Democratic governors (out of 23) in the US issued a signed statement expressingsolidarity with Ukraine following the White House altercation between Trump andZelenskyy.
The signatories accused Trump andVice President J.D. Vance of using the Oval Office "to criticize Zelenskyyfor not trusting [Russian President] Vladimir Putin’s word."
They added, "Americans mustuphold our strong democratic values on the global stage rather than underminingPresident Zelenskyy’s efforts to fight for his homeland and his people’sfreedom in the face of Russia’s invasion."
Canadian Foreign Minister MélanieJoly stressed the importance of working with allies to secure peace in Ukraine.Referring to the heated exchange between Trump and Zelenskyy, she praised theUkrainian president for demonstrating "great leadership and courage"and insisted that he "will not accept a bad deal." She added,"It is crucial that we work with him and our allies to achieve this."
Russia Reacts: ‘Trump ShowedRestraint’
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswomanMaria Zakharova claimed that Trump demonstrated "restraint" by notresponding physically to Zelenskyy.
On Telegram, Zakharova wrote,"I believe Zelenskyy’s biggest lie among all his falsehoods was his claimat the White House that Kyiv's regime was alone and unsupported in 2022."
She added, "The fact that Trumpand his vice president, Vance, restrained themselves from striking [Zelenskyy]is a miracle of self-control."
Meanwhile, Dmitry Medvedev, deputychairman of Russia’s Security Council, claimed that Zelenskyy got a “properslap” from Trump at the White House.
Zelenskyy: Peace Requires Guarantees
Ukrainian Prime Minister DenysShmyhal defended Zelenskyy’s stance, asserting that "peace cannot beachieved without guarantees." He warned that a ceasefire withoutguarantees would serve as "Russia’s path to occupying the entire European continent."
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