WORLD leaders have flocked around Volodymyr Zelensky in support after his furious, historic row with Donald Trump in the Oval Office.
Leaders from the EU piled behind Ukraine and blamed Russia – which gleefully branded Zelensky an “insolent pig” after the clash.
Zelensky yesterday flew to Washington to sign a critical minerals deal, but was booted out of the White House early after a sensational scrap.
Trump accused him of “gambling with World War Three”, followed by Marco Rubio today heaping blame for the “spat “fiasco” on Zelensky.
The splintering relations threaten to destabilise the entire western alliance, but Europe has reacted by standing firm with Ukraine.
Kaja Kallas, the EU’s foreign policy chief, emphasized the need for a new leader in the free world following Trump’s harsh remarks towards Ukraine.
Keir Starmer is the only leader who has spoken to both Trump and Zelensky since the feud.
A spokesperson from No10 reaffirmed Starmer’s steadfast support for Ukraine and his efforts in seeking a peaceful resolution that upholds the country’s sovereignty and security.
He fell short of publicly criticising the US President over the clash.
German chancellor Olaf Scholz posted on X: “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.”
French President Emmanuel Macron pointed out the clear aggressor in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, highlighting the importance of addressing the aggression towards Ukraine.
“We were all right to help Ukraine and sanction Russia three years ago and to continue doing so.”
The Kremlin is thrilled by the growing US-Ukraine division, which it has goaded on from the sidelines.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Medvedev smeared Zelensky on X: “The insolent pig finally got a proper slap down in the Oval Office.
“And [Donald Trump] is right: The Kiev regime is ‘gambling with WWIII.”
Russian state media has also been cockahoop since Zelensky’s public dressing down.
A TV host on the Rossiya 24 channel said the meeting “looks more like a public flagellation for Zelensky”.
Hungary’s Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán, was the lone EU leader to back Trump’s antics, writing: “Strong men make peace, weak men make war.”
He claimed that Trump had pushed for peace – “even if it was difficult for many to digest”.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen told Mr Zelensky: “Your dignity honours the bravery of the Ukrainian people.
“Be strong, be brave, be fearless. You are never alone. We will continue working with you for a just and lasting peace.”
The Italian PM Giorgia Meloni, who has as special bond with Trump, called for an immediate summit where US and EU leaders “speak frankly” to hammer things out.
She added: “Any division of the West makes us all weaker”.
Yesterday’s high-stakes meeting between Trump and Zelensky collapsed into chaos after the Ukrainian leader challenged JD Vance’s claim the US had tried to use diplomacy to bring peace.
Vance and Trump teamed up to lambast Zelensky for failing to show enough gratitude, and demanded he cut a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
At one point, all three men were seen leaning forward, pointing fingers, and throwing their arms around in fury.
When Zelensky pushed back, Trump snapped: “You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people! You’re gambling with World War Three!”
Vance piled on, demanding: “Have you said ‘thank you’ once this entire meeting?”
Zelensky replied: “A lot of times.”
The blow-up ended with Trump scrapping the planned press conference and ordering Zelensky out.
Speaking outside Air Force One, Trump declared: “President Zelensky is not ready for peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations.”
He also claimed: “I don’t want advantage, I want PEACE”, in a post on Truth Social.
Zelensky had “disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office”, he added, telling him to “can come back when he is ready for peace”.
The Ukrainian president surprised many by going ahead with a scheduled interview on Fox News hours after his unceremonious departure.
He said the argument had been bad for “both sides” and that he “can’t change our Ukrainian attitude to Russians”.
Marco Rubio today said: “You guys only saw the end, you don’t see all the things that led up to this. The president’s been very clear on this, he campaigned on this.
“He thinks this war should have never started and I agree that had he been president it never would have happened.”
The US Secretary of State added: “Now here we are, he’s trying to bring an end to this conflict, we’ve explained very clearly what our plan is here: we want to get the Russians to a negotiating table, we want to explore whether peace is possible.”
The Sun Says
PRESIDENT Zelensky is a global hero who has led his wronged country’s brave defence against a tyrant’s war machine.
His ambush by Donald Trump and his vice-president as the world watched was a shocking spectacle.
Zelensky flew to Washington hoping to secure Ukraine’s future, only to be degraded and sent home with no minerals deal.
His courage and leadership have earned him far more respect than the undeserved humiliation he received on live TV.
