Europe’s deeply stung by Ukraine President Zelensky’s humiliation and doubling down by a show of strength by US President Donald Trump and deputy Vice President JD Vance as they felt the aggressor Russia was given more space than the victim Ukraine. The aggressor was given more importance than the victim when it should have been the reverse, diplomats said.
Zelensky left for London soon after the inconclusive meeting at Oval to seek European support even as the US president warned that
Zelensky’s attitude of a hard stance against peace moves by the US was pushing the world towards a 3rd World War situation.
Starmer gives Zelensky ‘full backing’ in warm No 10 welcome. Zelensky meets UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at Downing Street. Sir Keir Starmer has told Volodymyr Zelensky he has “full backing across the United Kingdom” as the two met in Downing Street.
The Ukrainian president told the prime minister he was happy his country had “such friends” after arriving in the UK in the wake of a White House meeting with US President Donald Trump that descended into a row between the two leaders.
Zelensky and Sir Keir also signed a £2.26bn loan for Ukrainian military supplies, which will be repaid using profits from frozen Russian assets. The prime minister will host a summit of European and Canadian leaders in London later as part of efforts to bring the Russia-Ukraine war to an end. Zelensky is then due to meet King Charles.
Those meetings will now be overshadowed by events in Washington and concerns about a hardening of relations with the US.
In recent weeks, the prime minister has sought to cast himself as a bridge between the US and Europe as it adapts to the Trump administration’s desire to be less involved in European defence, having a cordial meeting with Trump a day before Zelensky’s.
During that meeting, he hand-delivered a letter from the King inviting Trump – who is fond of the Royal Family – to an unprecedented second state visit, which SNP MPs called on the PM to withdraw following the Oval Office spat.
Sir Keir has also attempted to be a conduit for Ukraine as it seeks US security guarantees in any peace deal – contacting both Trump and Zelensky by phone in the aftermath of their row, BBC reported.
The visit to Downing Street was an opportunity for the PM to demonstrate his continued support for Zelensky following the public falling-out with Trump. Remarking on the cheers he heard outside, Sir Keir told the Ukrainian leader: “That is the people of the United Kingdom coming out to demonstrate how much they support you, how much they support Ukraine.”
He added: “We stand with you and Ukraine for as long as it may take.” Zelensky replied: “I saw a lot of people and I want to thank you, the people of the United Kingdom, [for] such big support from the very beginning of this war.” He said he was happy about meeting the King and was thankful for the European summit.
It is understood the meeting between Zelensky, and the King was requested by the Ukrainian president, with the UK government agreeing to it. Following the Downing Street meeting, Zelensky praised the UK’s “tremendous” support, noting in particular the £2.26bn loan paid for through Russian assets frozen since the war began.
He said the funds will be used to produce weapons in Ukraine, declaring: “This is true justice – the one who started the war must be the one to pay.” The loan was first announced in October.
Following the acrimonious White House visit, Zelensky has attempted to mend US ties. In a statement, he said of Trump: “Despite the tough dialogue, we remain strategic partners. But we need to be honest and direct with each other to truly understand our shared goals.”
When his plane landed at Stansted, the Ukrainian leader wrote in a string of social media posts: “It’s crucial for us to have President Trump’s support. He wants to end the war, but no-one wants peace more than we do.
“We are the ones living this war in Ukraine. It’s a fight for our freedom, for our very survival.” Sunday’s summit in London is the latest round of top-level European meetings in response to Washington’s new approach to ending the war in Ukraine, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion just over three years ago.
The Trump administration has so far excluded Europe from preliminary talks with Russia, while the US president has been accused of parroting Russian propaganda. Top of the agenda on Sunday will be increasing Europe’s defence capabilities as Washington steps back as well as seeking security guarantees for Ukraine from the White House as part of any peace deal, BBC said in an analysis.
Ahead of the last leaders’ summit in Paris, Sir Keir proposed deploying British troops to Ukraine as part of a European peacekeeping force – but said this would require a US security “backstop”. Trump has consistently resisted fully committing direct military support to a Ukraine peace deal but has offered closer economic ties including a minerals deal, which he said could act as a deterrent.
Since Friday’s row, media reports from the US suggest Trump is considering cutting off aid to Ukraine altogether. At the same time, European leaders have recognised the need to increase defence spending – but experts have warned the UK’s military is currently not ready to take on an expanded defence role.
From laughter to anger, how the Oval Office meeting spiralled
A special European Commission defence package will be announced on 6 March, according to Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. The Oval Office spat prompted European allies to mount a spirited defence of the embattled Ukrainian president.
While diplomatic efforts to bring the war to a close continue, fighting rages on. Seven people were injured in an overnight drone attack on the north-eastern city of Kharkiv. Ukraine’s state emergency service said 64 people – most of them patients – were evacuated from a three-storey medical facility that caught fire after being hit by a drone.
In Russia, the country’s defence ministry reported 48 Ukrainian drones had been “intercepted and destroyed” overnight.
Keir Starmer, UK premier and French President Emanuel Macron supported by the new chancellor of Germany are trying to control the narrative on peace after the disastrous meeting by raising the issues of Ukraine’s sovereignty while discussing Ukraine peace.
The differing approaches of Europe and US highlights tensions in international diplomacy, media analysts said.
On February 24, 2025, French President Emmanuel Macron met with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House to discuss the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and explore potential avenues for peace. This high-stakes meeting underscored the complexities of international diplomacy and the divergent perspectives between the two leaders.
The meeting took place on the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, a conflict that has significantly reshaped global geopolitics. As the war dragged on, the international community faced mounting pressure to find a resolution that would ensure Ukraine’s sovereignty and regional stability, a US publication Washington Age said.
President Macron’s visit aimed to reinforce European commitment to Ukraine and to align strategies with the United States.
Key Discussions and Divergent Perspectives
President Macron emphasized that any peace agreement must unequivocally respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. He cautioned against any settlement that could be perceived as a capitulation by Ukraine, stressing the importance of a “just and lasting peace” that would prevent future aggression whereas, President Trump suggested that Russian President Vladimir Putin might be amenable to the deployment of European peacekeeping forces in Ukraine, claims Waszhington Eye, a US media following up on the peace talks.
He expressed optimism about reaching a swift resolution, hinting at ongoing negotiations that could involve economic incentives, such as sharing Ukraine’s natural resource revenues.
Macron proposed the deployment of European peacekeeping troops to Ukraine to monitor and enforce any potential ceasefire. He highlighted Europe’s readiness to take on a more substantial role in ensuring regional security, contingent upon credible guarantees and support from allies, notably the United States.
While President Trump welcomed the idea of European peacekeepers, he stopped short of committing U.S. military support. He suggested that Europe should assume primary responsibility for Ukraine’s security, reflecting his administration’s broader stance on burden-sharing among NATO allies. Addressing misconceptions, President Macron corrected President Trump’s assertions regarding European financial contributions to Ukraine.
He emphasized that Europe, including France, has provided substantial aid to Ukraine, covering a significant portion of the assistance required for both military and humanitarian needs.
President Trump floated the idea of a revenue-sharing agreement, wherein Ukraine would allocate a portion of its natural resource income to the United States as a form of repayment for military aid. This proposal aimed to intertwine economic interests with security commitments, though it raised questions about Ukraine’s economic sovereignty and the implications of such agreements.
International Reactions and Implications
In a move reflecting a shift in U.S. foreign policy, the United States secured backing for a U.N. resolution calling for an end to the Ukraine conflict without explicitly blaming Russia. This approach drew criticism from traditional allies, with several European nations abstaining from the vote, highlighting fractures in the Western alliance’s approach to the crisis. European leaders expressed apprehension over potential unilateral negotiations between the U.S. and Russia.
There were fears that such talks could sideline European interests and undermine collective efforts to support Ukraine. Macron, in particular, warned against any peace deal that might be perceived as a “surrender,” advocating for a solution that ensures long-term stability and deters future aggression.
The meeting between Presidents Macron and Trump highlighted the intricate dynamics of international diplomacy amid a protracted conflict. While both leaders expressed a desire for peace in Ukraine, their differing approaches underscored the challenges of achieving a unified strategy. Macron Trump Debate Ukraine’s Future in High Stakes Meeting.
Contributor, IANS - Washington DC/New York
Executive Editor, Corporate Tycoons - Pune, India
Executive Editor, The Flag Post - Bengaluru, India
Contributor, The Statesman, Hindu Business Line, Sarkaritel.com, Diplomacyindia.com
Former Economics Editor, PTI - New Delhi, India
Former Communications Advisor,
Alstom Group of Companies, SA - France/Belgium
