German president likens Trump berating Zelenskyy to humiliating someone 'in front of the whole world'
What world leaders and politicians are saying about the White House blowout
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attempted to repair relations with U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday after the previous day's sudden blowup, the most heated public exchange of words between world leaders in the Oval Office in memory.
In a series of posts on X on Saturday, Zelenskyy said Ukrainians are "very grateful to the United States for all the support," and specifically thanked Trump and Congress alongside the "American people."
"Our relationship with the American president is more than just two leaders: It's a historic and solid bond between our peoples. American people helped save our people," he said. "We want only strong relations with America and I really hope we will have them."
However, other world leaders now in London for a summit on Ukraine on Sunday came to Zelenskyy's defence after the spat, or expressed their dismay at how combative the meeting became.
The meeting ended with Zelenskyy not signing a deal to give the U.S. access to Ukraine's minerals and other resources in the hopes Ukraine can barter for more U.S. aid in its war with Russia.
Here are some reactions to the argument that ended with Trump dismissing Zelenskyy and dashing hopes, at least for now, that the United States could be a reliable partner in helping to fend off, and possibly conclude, Russia's three-year war against Ukraine.
German president in disbelief
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier criticized Trump for his behaviour during the meeting with Zelenskyy at the White House in unusually sharp terms.
"Diplomacy fails when negotiating partners are humiliated in front of the whole world," Steinmeier told dpa, the German news agency, during a flight to Uruguay. "The scene in the White House yesterday took my breath away. I would never have believed that we would one day have to protect Ukraine from the U.S.A."
During the meeting, Zelenskyy attempted to discuss the minerals agreement but Trump repeatedly talked over him, and U.S. Vice-President J.D. Vance reprimanded him for not being grateful enough for the U.S. support Ukraine has already received.
Kira Rudik, a member of Ukraine's parliament, told CBC News that while her country is grateful to its allies, she was "terrified" watching the leader of the "biggest and probably the best democracy in the free world," and Zelenskyy "is being humiliated by his allies."
In one of several posts Saturday on X, Zelenskyy said his country is ready to sign the minerals agreement with the U.S. as a "first step toward security guarantees."
"But it's not enough, and we need more than just that," he wrote. "A ceasefire without security guarantees is dangerous for Ukraine. We've been fighting for three years, and Ukrainian people need to know that America is on our side."
French president suggests Putin, not Zelenskyy, is gambling
French President Emmanuel Macron said if someone is gambling with World War Three, it is not Zelenskyy, but more likely his Russian counterpart.
Macron was reacting to Trump accusing Zelenskyy of "gambling with World War Three."
"If anyone is gambling with World War III, his name is Vladimir Putin," Macron told Portugal's RTP news channel during a visit to Lisbon ahead of Sunday's Ukraine summit of European leaders in London.
Macron said he still hopes that the United States will remain committed to the defence of democracy.
"My hope is that the United States of America will continue to stand by its history and its principles," he said. "Whenever we have had major conflicts, the United States of America has been on the right side of history and freedom."
Another German politician talked of boosting aid to Ukraine.
"A new era of wickedness has begun," said German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on Saturday, calling for Germany to release an additional three billion euros ($4.5 billion Cdn) in aid for Ukraine.
Ukrainian lawmaker Andrii Osadchuk said the tone from Trump and Vance was in line with prior rhetoric, and that Kyiv's other Western partners needed to do more.
"Not just a lot, but probably everything will depend on Europe — both for itself and for Ukraine," Osadchuk said.
Russia says blowout is Kyiv's failure
Russia's Foreign Ministry spokesperson described the Oval Office blowout as a "complete political and diplomatic failure" for Kyiv.
In a statement Saturday, Maria Zakharova also slammed the "political weakness and extreme moral degradation" of European leaders who continue to support Ukraine and its president.
Zakharova said Russia's war aims remain unchanged, implying Moscow will insist on a demilitarized Ukraine barred from NATO, and on annexing Ukrainian territories it controls.
Turkish foreign minister discusses Ukraine with Lavrov
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Saturday spoke to his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov about the war in Ukraine, officials said.
The phone call came a day before Fidan is due to attend the London summit of European leaders to discuss bringing the three-year conflict to an end.
Turkey, which has close ties to both Ukraine and Russia, has previously offered to mediate talks. It hosted unsuccessful peace talks in 2022.
The summit on Sunday will include leaders from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Denmark, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Turkey, Finland, Sweden, Czechia and Romania, as well as the NATO secretary general and the presidents of the European Commission and European Council.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is also attending.
Zelenskyy met on Saturday with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Saturday at 10 Downing Street, Starmer's official residence and office.
"We stand with you and Ukraine for as long as it takes," Starmer told Zelenskyy.
With files from CBC News and Reuters