United States President Donald Trump and his deputy J.D. Vance argued with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday, sending shockwaves around the world and provoking an immediate show of support for Zelenskyy from European leaders.
In front of the world’s media Trump and Vance berated Zelenskyy for not falling into line with American demands to take steps to end the war in Ukraine.
During a televised meeting in the Oval Office Trump told Zelenskyy he was not sufficiently “grateful” for America’s aid in the war against Russia, of “gambling with World War III” and that he “doesn’t have the cards” to negotiate with Russia.
Zelenskyy left the meeting early and cut short his visit to Washington without signing a mineral deal with the U.S. to fly to London to attend a summit of European leaders organised by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and meet with King Charles on Sunday.
European leaders support Ukraine
Starmer, who welcomed a visibly shaken Zelenskyy on Saturday with a hug, said Britain, Ukraine, France and other nations would form a "coalition of the willing", Reuters reported.
"We are at a crossroads in history today," Starmer was quoted in a news report as saying of the “once-in-a-generation moment for the security of Europe.”
"This is not a moment for more talk. It's time to act. Time to step up and lead and to unite around a new plan for a just and enduring peace."
Earlier he told the Ukrainian President as the summit opened: “I hope you know that we are all with you and the people of Ukraine for as long as it takes, everyone around this table.”
Starmer said European leaders had agreed to draw up a peace plan to take to the United States to ensure Washington could offer the security guarantees needed for Ukraine to defend itself against Russia.
The leaders agreed they must spend more on defence to demonstrate that the continent could protect itself, and the European Commission suggested rules limiting debt levels could be eased.
Starmer said Russia could not be allowed to "dictate terms" of a peace deal with Ukraine.
"Our starting point must be to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position now so they can negotiate from a position of strength," Starmer was quoted in news report as saying.
Trump quiet but others in US respond
Trump has so far not officially commented on the show of support by European leaders for Ukraine and its leader, who was also criticised in the United States for not wearing a suit to the Oval Office.
But other U.S. politicians criticised Zelenskyy, with one calling on him to step down.
House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson said Zelenskyy “needs to come to his senses and come back to the table in gratitude or someone else needs to lead the country” in order for Ukraine to continue pursuing a peace deal.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said the meeting was a "complete, utter disaster."
"I don’t know if we can ever do business with Zelenskyy again," Graham was quoted by NBC News as saying, adding the Ukrainian president "either needs to resign and send somebody over that we can do business with, or he needs to change.”
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov praised Trump's "common sense" approach and accused European countries of seeking to prolong the conflict by propping up Zelenskiy "with their bayonets in the form of peacekeeping units".
King Charles also showed his support for the Ukrainian leader by meeting Zelenskyy on Sunday at his private residence.
The blowback continues across the world
While Zelenskyy was welcomed as a hero in London, the clash backfired on Vance who was greeted by angry protesters when he travelled to Vermont for a ski trip.
In other related developments, Norwegian petrol giant firm Haltbakk Bunkers announced on social media it would stop providing fuel to all American forces in Norway.
But the Norwegian Government responded with a post on social media site X by saying U.S. forces continued to receive Norwegian support.
This came amid a media report that Russians had sunk a ship alleged to have been carrying British weapons for use by Ukraine.
