How world leaders reacted to the Trump and Zelensky showdown

Talks for a deal toward ending the Russia-Ukraine war devolved into a shouting match between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky and world leaders have responded with variations of shock.

The US and Ukrainian presidents argued in the Oval Office on Friday afternoon as Trump threatened his counterpart to make a deal or see the US pull out.

As Zelensky pressed for a security guarantee from the US, Trump and his vice president cast him as ungrateful and he was asked to leave the White House.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán praised Trump and framed Zelensky as standing in the way of reaching peace.

‘Strong men make peace, weak men make war,’ wrote Orbán on X (formerly Twitter).

‘Today President Donald Trump stood bravely for peace. Even if it was difficult for many to digest. Thank you, Mr. President!’

Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson took a more neutral position.

‘It’s time for cool heads and to remember that the US and Ukraine are on the same side,’ wrote Boris on X (formerly Twitter).

Boris added that Zelensky ‘heroically’ led his country against Russia’s ‘completely unprovoked aggression’ and that a minerals deal that was on the table should be signed as quickly as possible.

‘There is still a path to peace,’ he said.

Italy’s Premier Giorgia Meloni suggested ‘an immediate summit’ for the US and European allies and called for the West to maintain unity,

The summit would be for allies ‘to speak frankly about how we intend to face today’s great challenges, starting with Ukraine’, said Meloni.

“Every division of the West makes us all weaker and favours those who would like to see the decline of our civilisation,’ she said.

European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told Zelensky ‘your dignity honours the bravery of the Ukrainian people’.

‘Be strong, be brave, be fearless,’ she said. ‘You are never alone, dear President.’

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