Global leaders leap to Zelensky’s defence after White House row with Trump

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He was "disrespectful" and "ungrateful".

On minerals he had hoped would secure US security assurances.

Mr Trump told his Ukrainian counterpart to come back when he wanted peace with Russia, prompting former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev to agree with Trump and label Mr Zelensky an "insolent pig" who "finally got a good telling off in the Oval Office."

Hungary's Viktor Orban was the only Western politician to back Mr Trump after the showdown, saying: “Strong men make peace, weak men make war.”

He reckons President Trump stood up for peace "even if it was a bit hard for a lot of people to swallow".

But other European leaders, stunned by the situation, expressed their backing for Kyiv on social media.

A spokesperson from Downing Street said: “The Prime Minister has spoken to both President Trump and President Zelensky tonight. He still fully supports Ukraine and is doing everything possible to find a way to achieve a lasting peace that respects Ukraine's independence and safety.”

Posted on social media: "No one wants peace more than the Ukrainians do. So we're working on a path towards a lasting and fair peace. Ukraine can count on Germany – and on Europe."

The incoming leader of Germany stated that their country is in support of Ukraine and that aggressor and victim should never be mixed up.

Said: “There is an aggressor: Russia. There is a people being attacked: Ukraine. We were right to help Ukraine and impose sanctions on Russia three years ago, and we should keep doing so.”

Told Mr Zelensky: "Your dignity does you credit, it honours the bravery of the Ukrainian people. Stay strong, stay brave, stay fearless. You are never on your own. We'll keep working with you for a fair and lasting peace."

Kaja Kallas, the European Commission's vice-president and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security, said the US President no longer represents the free world.

She vowed that Europe would increase its support for Ukraine so it could keep fighting back against the aggressor, saying: “Today, it's become clear that the free world needs a new leader. It's up to us, Europeans, to take on this challenge.”

He said he was shocked by the “degrading spectacle” and shadow security minister Alicia Kearns said: “Bullying on show for a domestic US audience. Just watching the video made me feel deeply ashamed.”

called for an urgent meeting between the US and Europe to discuss how to tackle the "challenge" of Ukraine.

Australian journalists reported a high-ranking government official in the Trump administration as saying they were thinking of stopping all military aid shipments to Ukraine because of Mr Zelensky's comments in the Oval Office and his "perceived refusal to cooperate in the peace talks".

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