Leaders of US allies in Europe, concerned that US President Trump will force Ukraine to sign a ceasefire that would show Russian President Vladimir Putin’s victory, have made public their statements in support of Zelensky and Ukraine as the feud between US and Ukrainian leaders has spread to the media.
Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa, the heads of the European Commission and the European Council respectively, have said that Zelenskyy was never alone. “Be strong, be courageous, and be fearless,” von der Leyen and Costa told Zelensky in a joint statement on social media. “We will continue to work with you for a just and lasting peace.”
Meanwhile, the EU’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, has questioned US leadership over the transatlantic alliance between European powers and Washington. “Today, it became clear that the free world needs new leaders to face this challenge. It will depend on what we Europeans do,” he wrote on social media.
As the talks stalled, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, in support of Ukraine, pointed to Zelensky and said, “You are not alone.” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he spoke by phone with both Trump and Zelensky and pledged his “unwavering support” for Kiev. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has called for an “immediate” summit between the United States, Europe and Ukraine’s allies.
French President Emmanuel Macron has said that Russia is the ‘aggressor’ in the Ukraine war. He said, “The aggressor is Russia. Our decision to support Ukraine and impose sanctions on Russia three years ago and continue to do so was correct.”
Referring to Trump’s accusations against Zelensky, he said, “If anyone is playing World War III, it’s Russian leader Putin.” German Chancellor-designate Friedrich Merz has pledged his support for Zelensky. “We must never confuse the aggressor and the victim in this terrible war,” Merz said. Outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz has also supported Ukraine, while Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Kiev’s “search for peace and security is ours.”
Meanwhile, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has thanked Orban, one of the closest allies of both Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, for his brave stand for peace. Orban wrote in X, “The powerful create an atmosphere in favor of peace, the weak wage war.”
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has called on the United States, Europe and their allies to unite on the issue of the Ukraine war. “The summit is needed without delay. We want to talk clearly about how to address today’s major challenges, starting with Ukraine,” he said.
“The Netherlands’ support for Ukraine has not diminished,” Prime Minister Dick Schoof said in the interview. “Especially now, we want a lasting peace and an end to the war of aggression launched by Russia.” Poland, a staunch ally of Kiev, took steps to reassure Ukrainians after the dispute.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk addressed Zelensky, saying, “Dear Ukrainian friends, you are not alone.” Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has said his country will stand by war-torn Ukraine. “Ukrainian friends, Spain stands with you,” Sanchez, a staunch supporter of Ukraine, wrote on Facebook after Russia’s invasion in 2022.
