European countries rally behind Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky

European leaders threw their support behind Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after a raised-voice spat on Friday with US President Donald Trump sent shockwaves across the world.

The US president openly berated Zelensky for not being "thankful", and later accused the Ukrainian leader of "not being ready for peace" and having "disrespected" the United States in the "cherished Oval Office".

European Union chiefs Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa assured Zelensky that he was "never alone". "Be strong, be brave, be fearless," wrote the European commission and council presidents in a joint statement on social media, telling Zelensky: "We will continue working with you for a just and lasting peace."

French President Emmanuel Macron said that Russia was the "aggressor" in the Ukraine war. "There is an aggressor which is Russia. There is an aggressed people which is Ukraine," Macron told journalists, adding: "We were all right to help Ukraine and sanction Russia three years ago and to continue to do so." He went further to say that "if anyone is playing at World War III, it's Vladimir Putin", referring to Trump's accusations against Zelensky. 

Germany's likely next chancellor Friedrich Merz assured his support to Zelensky in a posting on X. "We must never confuse the aggressor and the victim in this terrible war," Merz said. The outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz also voiced support for Ukraine.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called for the United States, Europe, and their allies to gather over the Ukraine war "without delay". "A summit without delay is needed... to talk frankly about how we intend to tackle today's major challenges, starting with Ukraine, which together we have defended in recent years," she said. 

"Dutch support for Ukraine remains undiminished. Especially now," Prime Minister Dick Schoof said on X, adding "We want lasting peace and an end to the war of aggression that Russia has started."

Poland moved to reassure Ukrainians after the dispute. "Dear Ukrainian friends, you are not alone," Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on X in a post addressed to Zelensky.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said his country would stand by war-torn Ukraine after the row. "Ukraine, Spain stands with you," Sanchez, a staunch backer of Ukraine since Russia's 2022 invasion who pledged one billion euros of aid in a visit to Kyiv this week, wrote on X.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stood with most European leaders to echo his support for Ukraine ahead of hosting Zelensky this weekend. “Starmer is doing all he can to find a path forward to a lasting peace based on sovereignty and security for Ukraine", a Downing Street spokeswoman said.

Other Ukrainian allies rallied around the country, with Canada saying Kyiv was not only fighting for its freedom but also "ours". Denmark described its "pride" in supporting Ukraine while Sweden referred to Ukrainians as "friends".

US Democrats accused Trump and his Vice President JD Vance of siding with Putin. "Trump and Vance are doing Putin's dirty work," Democratic Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer posted on social media.