European leaders have lined up to show solidarity with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, after he came under attack from US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance in a stunning White House encounter.
Within a short time, prime ministers and presidents from the north, south, east and west of the continent posted on social media in support of Mr Zelensky and Ukraine in the war against Russia's invasion, following the extraordinary clash.
While they did not directly criticise the US president, their comments made clear they stood by Kyiv - highlighting a major rift between traditional allies the United States and Europe over the war since Mr Trump returned to office.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin described the heated exchange between Mr Zelensky and Mr Trump as "quite extraordinary" and "very, very unsettling".
Speaking on RTÉ's The Late Late Show, Mr Martin said he believes that Europe will stand with Ukraine.
"This has been a huge, unsettling setback, but we can't lose hope here," he said.
"We've got to hold our nerve in Europe. We've got to get behind Ukraine, engage with the United States and others, with a view to giving Ukraine the security that it requires."
Mr Martin said that Europe has very significant sanctions on Russia, and he does not think that Russia is as strong as everybody says it is.
"I don't believe the cards are all on Russia's side," he said.
He says he thinks that there will be an attempt to reengage by some key European leaders on the issue, but that there is a long way to go.
'Fighting for their independence'
"There is an aggressor: Russia. There is a people who are under attack: Ukraine," French President Emmanuel Macron, who visited Mr Trump this week, posted on social media.
"Respect to those who, since the beginning, have been fighting. Because they are fighting for their dignity, their independence, for their children and for the security of Europe," Mr Macron added.
Your dignity honors the bravery of the Ukrainian people.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) February 28, 2025
Be strong, be brave, be fearless.
You are never alone, dear President @ZelenskyyUa.
We will continue working with you for a just and lasting peace.
Earlier, Mr Trump had accused Mr Zelensky of disrespecting the United States. The two leaders had been expected to conclude a deal on exploiting Ukraine's mineral resources but Mr Zelensky left the White House without signing the agreement.
Mr Trump also said Mr Zelensky was not ready for peace.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk was among the first to show his support for Mr Zelensky and Ukraine on social media, telling them: "You are not alone."
Thank you America, thank you for your support, thank you for this visit. Thank you @POTUS, Congress, and the American people.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 28, 2025
Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for that.
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris said Ukraine was not to blame for the war brought by Russia's illegal invasion.
"We stand with Ukraine," he said in a post on X.
Mr Harris also spoke to Ukraine's ambassador to Ireland, Larysa Gerasko, to express the solidarity of the people of Ireland.
A spokesperson for the Tánaiste, who also spoke to Ukraine's foreign minister Andrii Sybiha is in Washington DC, said: "He [the Tánaiste] has expressed his full solidarity with them and support from the people of Ireland."
Ukraine is not to blame for this war brought about by Russia's illegal invasion.
— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) February 28, 2025
We stand with Ukraine. 🇺🇦 🇮🇪
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa - the European Union's two top officials - told Mr Zelensky in a joint post: "Your dignity honors the bravery of the Ukrainian people."
"Be strong, be brave, be fearless. You are never alone," they said. "We will continue working with you for a just and lasting peace."
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said: "Nobody wants peace more than the Ukrainians do."
German conservative leader Friedrich Merz, Mr Scholz's likely successor after his party won last Sunday's general election, posted: "We stand with Ukraine in good and in testing times. We must never confuse aggressor and victim in this terrible war."
The European Union's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas – a former prime minister of Estonia - was blunt in her comments.
"Today, it became clear that the free world needs a new leader. It's up to us, Europeans, to take this challenge," she said.
"We will step up our support to Ukraine so that they can continue to fight back the aggressor."
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has vowed "unwavering support" for Ukraine and spoke to both Mr Trump and Mr Zelensky following their angry White House meeting.
"The prime minister has tonight spoken to both President Trump and President Zelensky. He retains unwavering support for Ukraine, and is doing all he can to find a path forward to a lasting peace based on sovereignty and security for Ukraine," said a spokeswoman for Mr Starmer.
Leaders from Belgium, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Ireland, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden were also among those expressing support for Ukraine.
By contrast, Hungarian nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a Trump ally, backed the US president.
"Strong men make peace, weak men make war," he posted on X." Today President @realDonaldTrump stood bravely for peace. Even if it was difficult for many to digest. Thank you, Mr President!"
