European leaders have rallied around Ukraine following a disastrous meeting between President Volodymyr Zelensky and his counterpart Donald Trump at the White House.
Zelensky's attempt to broker a ceasefire agreement and discuss a potential mineral deal ended in fireworks at the Oval Office, with Trump accusing the Ukrainian leader of "gambling with World War Three".
Trump’s Vice President JD Vance also lashed out at Zelensky, saying he "should be thanking the President".
It was a dismal end to Zelensky's attempt to build bridges, amid Trump’s recent pro-Russian messaging.
But European leaders have rallied around Ukraine and vowed to support the country from Russian aggression.
French President Emmanuel Macros posted on X: "There is an aggressor: Russia. There is a people under attack: Ukraine. We were all right to help Ukraine and sanction Russia three years ago and to continue to do so. We are Americans, Europeans, Canadians, Japanese and many others.
"Thanks to all those who helped and continue. And 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."
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz wrote: "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."
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said: "Ukraine, Spain stands with you."
Besides European politicians, Zelensky also received messages of support from the Canadian, Australian and New Zealand heads of government.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer was notably absent from the line of European leaders offering their support to Ukraine on social media yesterday, following his visit to Washington on February 27.
Sir Keir is understood to have made progress securing a trade deal and the handover of the Chagos islands to Mauritius was apparently welcomed by the President. Starmer was reportedly unable to secure any commitment for further US support in Ukraine.
Last week, Trump called President Zelensky a "dictator" in a social media post, and echoed Russian allegations about cancelled elections in Kyiv.
Zelensky is understood to have attempted to decipher the President's allegiances once and for all by visiting Washington yesterday in a bid to secure a ceasefire agreement.
But the 45-minute talk descended into an angry back-and-forth in the final ten minutes, as Vice President JD Vance waded in with direct criticism of Zelenksy, telling him: "I think it's disrespectful for you to come to the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the American media.
"You should be thanking the President [Trump] for trying to bring an end to this conflict."
As Zelensky began to protest, Trump spoke over him and said: "You're gambling with the lives of millions of people.
"You're gambling with World War Three, and what you're doing is very disrespectful to the country, this country that's backed you far more than a lot of people say they should have."
"You're right now not in a very good position," he continued. "You don't have the cards right now with us, you start having problems right now."
"This will be great television," added Trump.
Vance even called out Zelensky for airing "disagreements" publicly, but Trump chimed in with the comment: "I think it's good for the American people to see what's going on."
"You're not acting at all thankful," he said. "This is going to be great television."
Defending himself, Zelensky urged the US to make "no compromises with a killer".
After the terminated visit, Zelensky said in a post on X: "Thank you America, thank you for your support, thank you for this visit.
"Thank you @POTUS, Congress, and the American people. Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for that."
In a subsequent interview on Fox News, Zelensky said he believed the relationship could be salvaged, adding: "I want, really, him to be more on our side... It's not just that the war began somewhere between our countries. The war began when Russia brought this war to our country. And they're not right."
