Zelensky Calls for Stronger US Support After Tense White House Meeting
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged the United States to "stand more firmly on our side" following a heated exchange with US President Donald Trump at the White House on Friday.
Speaking from the UK, where he arrived for a European leaders' summit, Zelensky stressed the importance of continued US backing despite what he described as "tough dialogue" during his meeting with Trump.
The Oval Office confrontation saw Trump pressuring Zelensky to negotiate with Russia, warning, "Make a deal, or we are out." Meanwhile, US Vice President JD Vance accused the Ukrainian leader of being ungrateful for American support.
UK Pledges Additional Support to Ukraine
On Saturday, Zelensky met with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, describing their discussions as "meaningful and warm." Following their meeting, he announced a £2.26 billion ($2.8 billion) loan agreement with the UK, with funds directed toward weapons production in Ukraine.
Expressing gratitude, Zelensky stated, "I thank the people and government of the United Kingdom for their tremendous support from the very beginning of this war. We are happy to have such strategic partners and to share the same vision of what a secure future should look like for all."
Calls for US Security Guarantees
In a series of 14 posts on X, Zelensky reiterated his call for US security guarantees to be a central part of any "just and lasting" peace agreement with Russia.
While acknowledging Trump’s desire to end the war—initiated by Russia’s full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022—Zelensky emphasized that no one wanted peace more than Ukraine.
However, Friday’s White House meeting ended abruptly, preventing the signing of a rare earth minerals agreement that would have granted the US access to Ukraine’s deposits. Trump later told reporters that Zelensky had "overplayed his hand" and that future talks would only resume if the Ukrainian leader made it clear he wanted peace.
European Leaders Rally Behind Ukraine
Following the dramatic exchange, European leaders voiced strong support for Zelensky. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer reaffirmed Britain’s "unwavering support" for Ukraine, stating that the UK would stand with the country "for as long as it may take."
"A lasting peace for Ukraine, based on sovereignty and security, is crucial not just for Ukraine, but for Europe and the UK," Starmer said.
Other European leaders also backed Ukraine, with French President Emmanuel Macron declaring on social media, "There is an aggressor: Russia. There is a victim: Ukraine. We were right to help Ukraine and sanction Russia three years ago—and we must continue to do so."
Germany’s outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that "no one wants peace more than the citizens of Ukraine." His likely successor, Friedrich Merz, reinforced Germany’s commitment, stating, "We must never confuse aggressor and victim in this terrible war."
NATO Urges Zelensky to Mend Ties with Trump
Despite European support, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte suggested that Zelensky must "find a way" to restore his relationship with Trump.
Speaking to the BBC, Rutte revealed he had spoken with Zelensky twice following the White House meeting, reminding him that "we have to respect" what Trump has already done for Ukraine. He pointed to Trump’s previous approval of Javelin anti-tank missile sales, which allowed Ukraine to "fight back" against Russian aggression.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin seized on the fallout, with Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova calling Zelensky’s visit to Washington a "complete diplomatic failure." She accused the Ukrainian leader of being "obsessed" with prolonging the war and reiterated Russia’s stance on annexing all occupied territories.
A Fragile Diplomatic Landscape
As European leaders prepare for further discussions in London on securing a peace deal, Zelensky remains firm on his stance. He has repeatedly stated that Ukraine is ready to sign the minerals agreement as "the first step toward security guarantees" from the US—but insists that a ceasefire alone is not enough.
"A ceasefire without security guarantees is dangerous for Ukraine," he warned.
Zelensky also made a direct appeal to Washington, saying, "All Ukrainians want to hear a strong US position on our side. It’s understandable that the US might look for dialogue with [Russian President Vladimir] Putin. But the US has always spoken about ‘peace through strength.’ Together, we can take strong steps against Putin."
With tensions high and diplomatic relations strained, Ukraine’s future relationship with the US—and the broader international response to the war—remains uncertain.
