Late Friday, European leaders promised to support Ukraine following a tense meeting at the White House between U.S. President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Their strong statements in favour of Ukraine have widened the divide between Europe and the U.S.

This comes after Vance's speech at the Munich Security Conference two weeks ago, where he criticised European democracy, leaving leaders unsettled. In response, European prime ministers and presidents have been holding urgent meetings to discuss security concerns. A major summit is set to take place in London on Sunday, hosted by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. More than a dozen European and EU leaders, including Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy, will gather to discuss Ukraine and security matters. On Friday, during an important meeting in Washington, former U.S. President Donald Trump criticised Zelenskyy after U.S. Senator J.D. Vance accused the Ukrainian leader of being disrespectful for debating Trump in the Oval Office in front of the media.

Meanwhile, the European leaders mainly focused on reassuring Ukraine of their continued support as the war with Russia enters its fourth year. They did not directly mention Trump or Vance. Zelenskyy later shared their supportive comments on X, thanking each leader individually—possibly as a subtle response to the Trump administration. “Have you said thank you' once?” Vance asked Zelenskyy. Throughout their conversation, the Ukrainian president expressed gratitude four times, or had already done so. Trump cancelled the signing of a minerals deal that he claimed could have helped Ukraine move closer to ending its war with Russia. During the meeting, he shouted at Zelenskyy and showed clear disrespect. Shortly after, Zelenskyy left the White House, and officials confirmed that the Ukrainian delegation was asked to leave.

A senior Ukrainian official, speaking anonymously, said that after leaving the White House, Zelenskyy spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, and European Council President Antonio Costa. According to the official, all three leaders expressed their support for Zelenskyy. Italy's Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, suggested an urgent meeting between the United States and European allies to openly discuss major global challenges, especially the situation in Ukraine. She emphasised the importance of Western unity. “Every division of the West makes us all weaker and favours those who would like to see the decline of our civilisation,” she said. “A division would not benefit anyone.” Zelenskyy received several posts on X. "Your dignity honours the bravery of the Ukrainian people," said Ursula von der Leyen, president of the EU Commission. “Be brave, fearless, and strong. Dear President, you are never alone.”

Meanwhile, Friedrich Merz, Germany's likely next chancellor, wrote: "Dear Volodymyr @zelenskyyua, we stand with #Ukraine in good and in testing times. We must never confuse aggressor and victim in this terrible war." Merz's party won Germany's national election on Sunday, strengthening Ukraine's support in the EU's largest country. During his campaign, Merz promised to unite Europe against challenges from both Russia and the U.S. Meanwhile, Alice Weidel, the co-leader of the far-right, anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) party and one of Merz's opponents, shared a post on X saying "Historic. Trump & Vance!" along with a video of their meeting. AfD supports lifting sanctions on Russia and opposes sending weapons to Ukraine. Weidel also met with Vance in Munich. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán praised Trump for his leadership in the White House and criticised Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, claiming he is working against peace in his own country. 

“Strong men make peace, weak men make war," Orbn wrote on X. “Today President Donald Trump stood bravely for peace. Even if it was difficult for many to digest. Thank you, Mr. President!” Hungarian leader Viktor Orbán has consistently supported the Kremlin and openly opposed Ukraine. After winning Hungary’s 2022 elections—just weeks after Russia’s full-scale invasion—he even named Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as one of his political opponents. Meanwhile, Estonia’s Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, whose country shares a border with Russia, stated that the only thing preventing peace is Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to keep the war going. It is time for Europe to step up," Tsahkna said in a statement. "We do not need to wait for something else to happen; Europe has enough resources, including Russia's frozen assets, to enable Ukraine to continue fighting.” Additionally, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson reminded Ukraine of the consequences of Russia's aggressiveness spreading to the Nordic and Baltic nations as well as beyond.

Kristersson wrote on X, "You are fighting not only for your freedom but for the freedom of all of Europe." European leaders also voiced support to Ukraine, including those from Austria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, and Spain.