Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the crucial nature of US support, following a tumultuous visit to Washington DC where he had a public clash with Donald Trump. The meeting, originally aimed at discussing a natural resources deal, quickly soured as Trump and Vice President JD Vance criticized Zelensky in the Oval Office in front of reporters. Amid the heated exchange, Trump accused Zelensky of risking “World War III” when the Ukrainian leader attempted to respond.
In the aftermath of the incident, European leaders, wary of Trump’s relations with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, rallied behind Zelensky. European Union’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, stated that the free world needed a new leader, recognizing Zelensky’s challenges.
Zelensky, now in London for a meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, expressed gratitude for President Trump’s support and reiterated Ukraine’s appreciation for the US backing it received since the Russian invasion three years ago. Despite the recent clash, Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine and the US remained strategic partners, but stressed the importance of honesty in understanding shared objectives.
While in the UK, Zelensky secured the country’s full backing, with a loan agreement worth $2.8 billion to be repaid using frozen Russian assets. King Charles accepted an invitation to meet Zelensky on Sunday, underscoring the diplomatic strides made.
The Ukrainian president’s UK visit coincides with a forthcoming summit of European leaders, prompted by concerns that the Trump administration’s Russia-focused approach could sideline Ukraine’s interests. Trump’s recent remarks wrongly accusing Ukraine and labeling Zelensky as a dictator have further strained relations.
In response to the tense meeting in Washington, Russian officials gloated, with former President Dmitry Medvedev commenting on Zelensky’s “slap down.” Western countries, however, united in showing unwavering support for Kyiv, with a joint statement from EU leaders praising Zelensky’s dignity and the courage of the Ukrainian people.
NATO chief Mark…
Rutte described the contentious meeting between Zelensky and Trump as “very unfortunate.” During an interview with BBC News, Rutte emphasized the significance of President Zelensky working towards rebuilding his rapport with the American president and the senior American leadership team. Contributing to this report were CNN’s Lauren Kent, James Frater, and Katharina Krebs. To access more CNN news and newsletters, you can sign up for an account at CNN.com.
