Volley of world reaction to Trump-Zelensky stoush…

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has individually thanked countries that have come out in support of Ukraine following his astonishing blow-up with US President Donald Trump.

The tense and aggressive stoush shocked the world and triggered a volley of supportive messages from European leaders who are set to gather in London on Sunday (local time).

Trump and Zelensky Clash in the Oval Office | Council on Foreign Relations

Just hours after the exchange ended and Zelensky was told to leave, support for Ukraine was expressed by French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, as well as by leaders of the Netherlands, Estonia, Poland and the Czech Republic among others.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Australia would stand with Ukraine.

“The people of Ukraine are fighting not just for their own national sovereignty — they are fighting for the international rule of law,” Albanese said in Sydney.

“We will continue to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes because this is the struggle of a democratic nation versus an authoritarian regime led by Vladimir Putin who, clearly, has imperialistic designs not just on Ukraine but throughout that region.”

Albanese did not comment directly on the exchanges in the Oval Office or Trump’s behaviour, saying only that Australia determined its foreign policy.

“Russia has acted like a bully,” he said.

Zelensky had reportedly viewed his meeting as an opportunity to convince the US not to side with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who ordered the invasion of Ukraine.

Watch tense Oval Office argument between Zelensky, Trump and Vance

Instead, Trump and Vance lectured Zelensky, saying he showed disrespect, driving relations with Kyiv’s most important wartime ally to a new low, according to Reuters.

“You’re not in a good position. You don’t have the cards right now. With us, you start having cards,” Trump said.

“I’m not playing cards. I’m very serious, Mr President,” Zelensky replied.

After being prematurely booted out of the White House, Zelensky headed to the United Kingdom for talks with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and a summit of European leaders to discuss a peace plan for Ukraine.

Zelensky will meet with King Charles on Sunday (local time) before the summit at Lancaster House, a 200-year-old mansion near Buckingham Palace.

World reacts to Zelensky-Trump Oval Office clash - The Globe and Mail

Starmer embraced Zelensky and told him he had the country’s unwavering support amid shouts of support from people who had gathered outside 10 Downing Street.

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“And as you heard from the cheers on the street outside, you have full backing across the United Kingdom,” Starmer told the leader of the war-torn country.

“We stand with you, with Ukraine, for as long as it may take.”

Zelensky thanked him and the people of the UK for their support and friendship.

Zelensky struck a conciliatory tone in a string of posts on X after arriving in the UK.

Ukraine was “very grateful to the United States for all the support,” Zelensky said.

“I’m thankful to President Trump, Congress for their bipartisan support, and American people,” he added.

“It’s crucial for us to have President Trump’s support. He wants to end the war, but no one wants peace more than we do.

“We are the ones living this war in Ukraine.

“It’s a fight for our freedom, for our very survival.”

Starmer’s talks at Downing Street are expected to feature European leaders discussing efforts to police a future Ukraine peace deal.

Starmer believes a deal will have to involve US military assets providing surveillance, intelligence and potentially warplanes giving air cover to deter Russian forces from launching another bid to conquer its neighbour.

The summit on Sunday in London will include leaders from France, Germany, Denmark, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Turkey, Finland, Sweden, the Czech Republic and Romania, as well as the NATO secretary-general and the presidents of the European Commission and European Council.

Australia has committed $1.5 billion to help Ukraine defend itself.

Shadow treasurer Angus Taylor said the federal opposition had not veered from its support for Ukraine.

“We’re fully supportive of the Ukraine at this time,” he told reporters on Saturday in Sydney.

“That is our position.”

Flinders University senior lecturer in international relations Jessica Genauer said the “very shocking” interaction suggested the Trump administration did not consider Ukraine an equal player.

“They’re really seeing Ukraine as more of a small or middle power country, who does not need to be considered or taken into account in the same way they’re clearly taking Russia into account,” she told ABC television on Saturday.

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