Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Leaders from the European Union showed solidarity with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy after he came under attack from U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance in a heated exchange at the White House.
The European Union’s heads, prime ministers and presidents from the north, south, east and west of the continent supported Zelenskiy and Ukraine in the war against Russia’s invasion, following the extraordinary contention.
Their statements made it obvious they stood by Kyiv – emphasising a major split between traditional allies, the United States and Europe over the war since Trump returned to office.
How did EU leaders respond to Trump’s criticism of Ukraine?
“There is an aggressor: Russia. There is a people who are under attack: Ukraine,”
French President Emmanuel Macron, noted on X.
“Respect to those who, since the beginning, have been fighting. Because they are fighting for their dignity, their independence, for their children and for the security of Europe,”
Macron also said.
There is an aggressor: Russia.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) February 28, 2025
There is a victim: Ukraine.
We were right to help Ukraine and sanction Russia three years ago—and to keep doing so.
By “we,” I mean the Americans, the Europeans, the Canadians, the Japanese, and many others.
Thank you to…
Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk was among the first to offer his support for Zelenskiy and Ukraine on X, apprising them:
“You are not alone.”
Dear @ZelenskyyUa, dear Ukrainian friends, you are not alone.
— Donald Tusk (@donaldtusk) February 28, 2025
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa – the European Union’s two highest officeholders – conveyed to Zelenskiy in a joint post:
“Your dignity honors the bravery of the Ukrainian people.”
“Be strong, be brave, be fearless. You are never alone,”
They stated.
“We will continue working with you for a just and lasting peace.”
Your dignity honors the bravery of the Ukrainian people.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) February 28, 2025
Be strong, be brave, be fearless.
You are never alone, dear President @ZelenskyyUa.
We will continue working with you for a just and lasting peace.
Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz stated:
“Nobody wants peace more than the Ukrainians do.”
Nobody wants peace more than the Ukrainians do. Therefore we are working on a common path to a lasting and just peace. Ukraine can rely on Germany – and on Europe.
— Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz (@Bundeskanzler) February 28, 2025
Friedrich Merz, German conservative leader, posted:
“We stand with #Ukraine in good and in testing times. We must never confuse aggressor and victim in this terrible war.”
European Union foreign policy head Kaja Kallas said,
“Today, it became clear that the free world needs a new leader. It’s up to us, Europeans, to take this challenge,”
She said.
“We will step up our support to Ukraine so that they can continue to fight back the aggressor.”
Ukraine is Europe!
— Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) February 28, 2025
We stand by Ukraine.
We will step up our support to Ukraine so that they can continue to fight back the agressor.
Today, it became clear that the free world needs a new leader. It’s up to us, Europeans, to take this challenge.
