Paris: World leaders have strongly backed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky following a heated exchange with Donald Trump, which raised concerns about the future of Western support for Ukraine. Trump criticized Zelensky for lacking "gratitude" and accused him of being unprepared for peace, sparking widespread reactions from global leaders.

EU Calls for New Leadership
European Union leaders, Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa, reassured Zelensky of their unwavering support. "Be strong, be brave, be fearless," they stated, pledging to work toward a just and lasting peace. Meanwhile, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas questioned America's leadership, suggesting that Europe must now take the lead in defending global democracy.

France Blames Russia as the Aggressor
French President Emmanuel Macron reinforced that Russia is the aggressor in the war against Ukraine. "We were right to support Ukraine and sanction Russia," Macron stated, adding that if anyone was escalating tensions, it was Vladimir Putin—not Zelensky.

Germany Stresses Clarity on the War
Germany's likely next Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed continued support for Ukraine, emphasizing that the aggressor and the victim should never be confused. Outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock also reaffirmed Germany’s backing for Kyiv’s fight for peace and security.

Hungary Sides with Trump
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, known for his close ties to both Trump and Putin, praised the former US president for his stance on peace, declaring, "Strong men make peace, weak men make war."

Italy Calls for an Urgent Summit
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni urged for an immediate summit between the US, Europe, and allies to clarify their collective stance on Ukraine.

Other European Nations Reaffirm Commitment to Ukraine
Netherlands: Dutch PM Dick Schoof reaffirmed undiminished support for Ukraine.
Poland: PM Donald Tusk told Ukrainians they are "not alone".
Spain: PM Pedro Sanchez reiterated Spain’s solidarity with Ukraine, having pledged €1 billion in aid during his recent Kyiv visit.
 

Russia Mocks Zelensky
Russia took a mocking tone in response to the dispute. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev called Zelensky a "cocaine clown," while Kremlin-affiliated negotiator Kirill Dmitriev called the Trump-Zelensky spat a "historic moment."

UK and Other Allies Stand Firm
British PM Keir Starmer pledged "unwavering support" to Ukraine and personally spoke with both Trump and Zelensky. Meanwhile, Canada, Denmark, Sweden, Australia, New Zealand, and Switzerland reaffirmed their backing for Ukraine's sovereignty and condemned Russia's aggression.

Ukraine and US Democrats Respond
Ukraine’s Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal defended Zelensky, warning that a ceasefire without guarantees would only lead to Russian expansion. Army chief Oleksandr Syrsky called for unity, stressing that Ukraine’s armed forces stand behind Zelensky.

In the US, Democratic leaders accused Trump of siding with Putin. Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer claimed that Trump and Vice President JD Vance were "doing Putin’s dirty work."

What’s Next?
With Trump's remarks casting doubt on US support, Europe appears to be taking a stronger leadership role in backing Ukraine. However, with global tensions rising, all eyes are on the future of US-Ukraine relations and how this dispute might shape the ongoing war with Russia.