Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed gratitude towards the American people and leadership, emphasizing his hope for strong relations following a tense Oval Office meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. As Zelenskyy arrived in London for a summit organized by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock condemned Trump’s treatment of Zelenskyy, pledging increased commitment to Ukraine amidst what she described as a new era of nefariousness.
Meanwhile, Russia’s drone strike on Kharkiv wounded 12 civilians, prompting condemnation from Ukrainian officials. Russia’s Foreign Ministry criticized the Oval Office confrontation as a failure for Kyiv, while German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier condemned Trump’s behavior as humiliating and detrimental to diplomacy.
French President Emmanuel Macron rebutted Trump’s accusation that Zelenskyy was gambling with World War III, suggesting that it is Russian President Vladimir Putin who poses a greater risk. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan engaged in discussions with Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov about the conflict in Ukraine, highlighting Turkey’s mediation efforts.
Despite the diplomatic tensions, Zelenskyy remained appreciative of American support and aimed for stronger relations with the U.S. Moving forward, the London summit of European leaders will focus on achieving peace and security in the region, with Zelenskyy meeting with Starmer to discuss strategies for ending the conflict peacefully.
