Zelensky gains European support as Trump Administration considers halting military aid to Ukraine

I n the aftermath of a heated confrontation with U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has received an overwhelming wave of support from European leaders.

The Oval Office meeting, intended to solidify a U.S.-Ukraine mineral extraction deal, devolved into a lively argument, leading to the abrupt cancellation of a joint press conference and Zelensky’s premature departure from the White House.

President Trump accused Zelensky of disrespect, stating on Truth Social, “He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office.” Vice President JD Vance echoed this sentiment, criticizing Zelensky’s conduct during the meeting. The discord has cast doubt on future U.S. support for Ukraine amidst its ongoing conflict with Russia.

  We had a very meaningful meeting in the White House today. Much was learned that could never be understood without conversation under such fire and pressure. It’s amazing what comes out through emotion, and I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for Peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations. I don’t want advantage, I want PEACE. He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for Peace.
 

— Donald Trump, U.S. President.

And in a dramatic escalation, the Trump Administration is reportedly now considering ending all ongoing shipments of military aid to Ukraine. According to The Washington Post, this decision, if enacted, would apply to billions of dollars worth of radars, vehicles, ammunition, and missiles currently awaiting shipment through the presidential drawdown authority. The report cites a senior U.S. official who claims the move comes in response to Zelensky’s remarks at the White House and what the administration called a “perceived intransigence in the peace process.”

In response to these developments, European leaders have rallied around Zelensky. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa jointly declared, “Your dignity honours the bravery of the Ukrainian people. Be strong, be brave, be fearless. You are never alone, dear President Zelensky.” French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized, “Russia is the aggressor, and Ukraine is the aggressed people... They are fighting for their dignity, their independence, their children, and the security of Europe.” Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk reassured, “Dear Volodymyr Zelensky, dear Ukrainian friends, you are not alone.” Top EU Diplomat Kaja Kallas said, “Today, it became clear that the free world needs a new leader.”

Zelensky expressed gratitude for this solidarity, stating, “Thank you, America, thank you for your support... Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for that.”

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau also posted his support to Ukraine and President Zelensky.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, however, was notably slow to join the wave of support for Ukraine and Zelensky after the public spat at the White House. This hesitation likely stems from his recent visit to Washington, where Trump promised Britain a favourable trade deal while threatening the EU with 25% tariffs.

This delay was particularly noticeable given that, just 24 hours earlier, Starmer had been quick to post about his happiness at being received at the White House, expressing enthusiasm over his meeting with Trump and the prospect of a stronger UK-U.S. partnership. His hesitancy to immediately support Zelensky has, therefore, sparked speculation about whether trade considerations played a role in his cautious approach.

Unlike other European leaders who quickly expressed solidarity on social media, Starmer remained silent on X/Twitter. Instead, Downing Street released a carefully worded statement late in the evening asserting that “the Prime Minister has tonight spoken to both President Trump and President Zelensky. He retains unwavering support for Ukraine, and is doing all he can to find a path forward to a lasting peace based on sovereignty and security for Ukraine.” The lukewarm phrasing starkly contrasted the stronger declarations from his European counterparts, raising questions about the UK’s positioning in the broader transatlantic response.

Another European leader who notably refrained from supporting Zelensky was Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. A well-known ally of both Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Orbán instead posted his full support for Trump, further highlighting Hungary’s alignment with a more pro-Russian stance within Europe. Orbán’s stance underscores the persistent divisions within the EU over Ukraine, with some leaders still reluctant to fully back Kyiv in its struggle against Russian aggression.

The incident in the Oval Office underscores a potential shift in transatlantic alliances, with Europe potentially stepping into a more prominent leadership role in supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty. The potential cessation of U.S. military aid would represent a significant blow to Ukraine’s ability to defend itself against Russian aggression. It could prompt European nations to bolster their own military commitments to Kyiv.

As tensions mount, the coming days will likely determine whether the U.S. follows through on its threat to withhold aid and how Europe will respond to this shifting geopolitical landscape. In an effort to secure a diplomatic solution, Keir Starmer is set to host a major summit over the weekend, bringing together more than a dozen countries to discuss a potential peace deal.

Initially inviting leaders from France, Germany, Denmark, Italy, and Turkey, as well as Ukraine, Starmer expanded the list after his meeting with Trump to include the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Finland, Sweden, the Czech Republic, and Romania. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and European Council President António Costa will also attend. The summit underscores Europe’s increasing determination to take a leading role in ending the war and securing long-term stability in the region.

Could 28 February 2025 be the day NATO ceases to exist, and 1 March 2025 mark the launch of a new European security alliance composed of EU militaries and the Ukrainian army? The prospect of such an alliance, which could eventually evolve into a fully-fledged EU army, is gaining traction as Europe considers taking complete control of its own defence strategy. With the United States showing signs of withdrawing support for Ukraine and NATO’s future becoming increasingly uncertain, European leaders may be preparing for a historic shift in continental security policy.

GOING FURTHER

• Trump blasts Zelensky in Oval Office | THE WASHINGTON POST

• Diplomacy dies on live TV as Trump and Vance gang up to bully Ukraine leader | THE GUARDIAN

• Why It’s Time to Reconsider a European Army | CENTER FOR STRATEGIC AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES

• Defending Europe without the US: first estimates of what is needed | BRUEGEL

• End Of NATO? Can Europe Forge An Alternative Alliance To Defend Itself & Ukraine Without The U.S. Support? | THE EURASIAN TIMES

• Europe would have to mobilize 300,000 soldiers to defend itself against Russia without the USA | KIEL INSTITUTE FOR THE WORLD ECONOMY

Sources:

▪ This piece was first published in Europeans TODAY on 28 February 2025. | The author writes in a personal capacity.

▪ Cover: President of Ukraine. (Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.)