Ukraine’s European allies are set to gather in London on Sunday, March 2, in a show of solidarity with President Volodymyr Zelensky following a contentious meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. The confrontation, which took place in the Oval Office, saw Trump abruptly dismiss Zelensky and accuse him of lacking readiness for peace with Russia.
The incident, which left Zelensky departing the White House without signing an anticipated mineral agreement, prompted swift reactions from European leaders. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk assured Zelensky, “You are not alone,” while British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, fresh from his own White House visit, pledged “unwavering support” for Kyiv after speaking with both leaders.
Trump publicly criticized Zelensky for not showing gratitude and accused him of disrespecting the United States during their meeting. In response, Zelensky expressed his appreciation on social media platform X, replying with “Thank you for your support” to messages from over 30 European leaders. Starmer and Zelensky are scheduled to meet in London on Saturday ahead of the Sunday summit.
Strengthening European Unity and Defense Cooperation
The upcoming London summit will bring together representatives from more than a dozen European nations to discuss bolstering support for a “just and lasting peace” in Ukraine. The meeting will also address the urgent need for enhanced defense collaboration among European countries, amid growing concerns over the future of U.S. support for NATO.
French President Emmanuel Macron has expressed willingness to explore the possibility of a European nuclear deterrent, following a proposal from Germany’s Friedrich Merz. Merz emphasized the importance of Europe achieving greater independence in defense matters.
EU Reaffirms Support for Ukraine
European Union leaders Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa reassured Zelensky of their unwavering backing, stating, “Be strong, be brave, be fearless.” In a joint statement, they affirmed their commitment to working with Ukraine for a sustainable peace.
Meanwhile, EU diplomat Kaja Kallas questioned U.S. leadership in the transatlantic alliance, stating, “Today, it became clear that the free world needs a new leader. It’s up to us, Europeans, to take on this challenge.”
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