Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated on Saturday that Donald Trump’s backing remains “crucial” for Ukraine, despite a recent diplomatic clash that left Kyiv’s European allies scrambling to address the fallout from the White House dispute.
Zelensky arrived in London for a meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Saturday afternoon, ahead of urgent talks on Sunday with European leaders, who were caught off guard by Trump’s outburst. The heated exchange saw Trump criticize Zelensky for not being “ready” for peace with Russia, causing alarm across Europe.
Germany quickly condemned the altercation, with officials calling it the beginning of a “new age of infamy,” while Russia responded with apparent glee at the tension between the US and Ukraine, a nation under Russian invasion for over three years.
Following the disagreement, Zelensky left the White House without signing a key deal concerning Ukraine’s rare minerals. However, he stressed that he was still “ready” to sign the agreement as an important first step toward security guarantees.
Zelensky also took to social media to emphasize the importance of maintaining Trump’s support, stating, “It’s crucial for us to have President Trump’s support. He wants to end the war, but no one wants peace more than we do.”
European leaders rallied around Zelensky, with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk affirming that Ukraine “is not alone” and Starmer vowing “unwavering support” for Kyiv. NATO chief Mark Rutte also urged Zelensky to find a way to rebuild his relationship with Trump following the fallout.
Trump’s unexpected outreach to Russian President Vladimir Putin in pursuit of a deal on Ukraine has rattled European allies and the NATO alliance, casting doubt on the US’s continued commitment to supporting Ukraine.
The White House confrontation, in which Trump and Vice President JD Vance criticized Zelensky for not being “thankful” and rejecting their proposed truce terms, has further raised concerns. Trump warned Zelensky, “You’re either going to make a deal or we’re out, and if we’re out, you’ll fight it out, and I don’t think it’s going to be pretty.”
Despite the heated exchange, Zelensky made it clear that he remained open to finalizing the mineral deal with Trump, writing that “despite the tough dialogue” Ukraine and the US “remain strategic partners.”
In Moscow, Russian officials expressed satisfaction with the altercation, with former president Dmitry Medvedev mocking Zelensky, while German officials condemned Trump’s actions, accusing him of blurring the lines between victim and aggressor in the conflict.
As the situation escalates, European leaders are focusing on strengthening defense cooperation, with French President Emmanuel Macron suggesting the possibility of a future European nuclear deterrent, and German politicians stressing the need for the continent to increase its defense independence from the United States.
