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| President Trump |
Thirty-three world leaders have declared support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky following a confrontational meeting with United States President Donald Trump at the White House.
The international show of solidarity comes after tensions escalated during Friday's Oval Office meeting, which ended abruptly when Vice President JD Vance accused Zelensky of being "disrespectful," asking pointedly, "Have you said 'thank you' once?"
Discussions between the two leaders became heated as they debated Ukraine's future amid Russia's ongoing invasion. A key point of contention was a proposed minerals deal that would grant the US extensive access to Ukraine's rare earth resources in exchange for continued support for Kyiv's defense efforts.
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| President Zelensky |
Zelensky insisted any agreement must include genuine security guarantees for Ukraine—a demand Trump reportedly resisted—before the Ukrainian delegation was escorted out of the White House.
Following the diplomatic fallout, leaders from across the globe took to social media to express solidarity with Ukraine and condemn Russia's aggression.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reaffirmed his country's commitment, stating, "For three years now, Ukrainians have fought with courage and resilience. Their struggle for democracy, freedom, and sovereignty is a cause that resonates with us all.
French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the importance of continued support: "Thanks to all those who helped and continue. And respect to those who, since the beginning, have been fighting... for their dignity, their independence, for their children, and for the security of Europe."
Slovenian President Nataša Musar directly referenced the Oval Office incident: "What we witnessed in the Oval Office undermines these values and the foundations of diplomacy. We stand firmly in support of Ukraine's sovereignty. We repeat, Russia is the aggressor."
Despite the public disagreement, Zelensky has taken steps to salvage the relationship with Trump. Shortly after the meeting, he expressed gratitude on social media platform X to Trump, the US Congress, and the American people for their support.
When asked in a Fox News interview if he would apologize to Trump, Zelensky declined to elaborate but acknowledged the public fallout was "not good for both sides." He maintained, "I'm not sure that we did something bad. I cannot change the Ukrainian attitude towards Russia. They are killers for us."
When questioned about whether his relationship with Trump could still be repaired, Zelensky responded affirmatively, suggesting openness to continued dialogue despite the diplomatic tension.
The international response underscores the ongoing global significance of Ukraine's fight for sovereignty as the conflict with Russia continues into its fourth year.
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