Circling back to European leaders throwing their support behind Volodymyr Zelenskyy after his clash with Donald Trump, here are some of the political reactions from across the region, care of Agence France-Presse.
- European Union chiefs Ursula von der Leyenand Antonio Costa assured Zelenskyy 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.”
- Emmanuel Macron said Russia was the “aggressor” in the war and “we were all right to help Ukraine and sanction Russia three years ago and to continue to do so”. The French president went further to say that “if anyone is playing at world war three, it’s Vladimir Putin”, referring to Trump’s accusations against Zelenskyy.
- Germany’s likely next chancellor, Friedrich Merz, assured his support to Zelenskyy, saying: “We must never confuse the aggressor and the victim in this terrible war.” Outgoing chancellor Olaf Scholz also voiced support for Ukraine, as did foreign minister Annalena Baerbock, who added that Kyiv’s “quest for peace and security is ours”.
- Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni called for the US, Europe and their allies to gather over the Ukraine war. “A summit without delay is needed… to talk frankly about how we intend to tackle today’s major challenges, starting with Ukraine.”
- “Dutch support for Ukraine remains undiminished. Especially now,” prime minister Dick Schoof said on X, adding that “we want lasting peace and an end to the war of aggression that Russia has started”.
- Poland also reassured Kyiv. “Dear Ukrainian friends, you are not alone,” prime minister Donald Tusk said on X in a post addressed to Zelenskyy.
- Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez said his country would stand by Kyiv. “Ukraine, Spain stands with you,” he said on X.
- Keir Starmer vowed “unwavering support” for Kyiv. The British prime minister “is doing all he can to find a path forward to a lasting peace based on sovereignty and security for Ukraine”, a Downing Street spokesperson said.
