World leaders and US lawmakers reacted strongly after a tense Oval Office exchange between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, US President Donald Trump, and Vice President JD Vance. The confrontation, which led to Zelenskyy’s White House visit being cut short, sparked a wave of reactions and concern over the future of US-Ukraine relations.
Here is how some of the leaders around the world reacted:
Strong criticism from US lawmakers
Senate Democrats accused Trump and Vance of acting in Russian President Vladimir Putin’s interests, reported The Guardian. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer stated, “Trump and Vance are doing Putin’s dirty work. Senate Democrats will never stop fighting for freedom and democracy.”
Republican Representative Don Bacon of Nebraska criticized the handling of the meeting, calling it “a bad day for America’s foreign policy.” Bacon told NBC News, “Ukraine wants independence, free markets and rule of law. It wants to be part of the West. Russia hates us and our Western values. We should be clear that we stand for freedom.”
Democratic lawmakers were even more direct in their rebuke. One senator called the exchange a “sad scene” and an “utter embarrassment for America.” Another labeled it “a disgrace.” A third kept the reaction simple, saying, “Shame. Shame. Shame.” A House representative wrote on X, “It was a great day for Vladimir Putin. President Trump and VP Vance are the best lackeys he’s ever had.”
Russian officials mock Zelenskyy
Reacting to the meeting, Russia’s foreign ministry spokeswoman remarked that it was “a miracle of restraint” that Trump and Vance did not resort to physical aggression. Meanwhile, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev took to social media with an abusive post, applauding Zelenskyy for receiving “a proper slap down in the Oval Office.”
France’s Macron backs Ukraine over ‘aggressor’ Russia
French President Emmanuel Macron said that Russia is the aggressor and Ukrainians are the aggressed people when asked about the heated exchange between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. “We must … respect those who have been fighting since the beginning,” he told reporters during his visit to Portugal, as quoted by Reuters.
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‘Ukraine, Spain stands with you,’ Spanish Prime Minister says
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed solidarity with Ukraine in a social media update, posting his message in Spanish, English, and Ukrainian: “Ucrania, España está contigo. Ukraine, Spain stands with you. Україно, Іспанія з тобою.”
Poland’s Tusk stands with Ukraine
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk voiced solidarity with Zelenskyy in a social media post, assuring Ukraine that it was not alone. “Dear @ZelenskyyUa, dear Ukrainian friends, you are not alone,” he wrote.