The heated exchange between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on Friday has left Washington and European allies stunned, signaling growing uncertainty over the future of US support for Ukraine.
The confrontation came amid Trump’s longstanding skepticism over the billions of dollars in US aid sent to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion in February 2022. Trump has repeatedly claimed that he would end the war quickly but has not provided details on how he intends to do so.
Earlier this month, on February 12, Trump held a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, reportedly discussing a potential peace deal without involving Ukraine—a move that infuriated Kyiv and raised concerns in European capitals.
Since then, Zelensky and European allies have urged Trump to provide security guarantees for any future truce, ensuring consequences if Russia were to violate an agreement. However, Trump has refused to commit to such guarantees, insisting that Putin “respects” him enough to honor any deal.
Explosive White House Meeting:
Tensions between Trump and Zelensky reached a boiling point on Friday when Trump and Vice President JD Vance accused Zelensky of not being grateful enough for US assistance.
“He can come back when he is ready for peace,” Trump reportedly told reporters, with his press secretary later confirming that the Ukrainian delegation had been asked to leave the White House after the Oval Office confrontation.
According to Brian Finucane, senior adviser at the International Crisis Group (ICG), the outburst was expected given Trump’s past skepticism over US involvement in Ukraine.
“The performance by the President and Vice President in the Oval Office was unprecedented, but not altogether surprising,” said Finucane.
When asked, Trump and his administration have repeatedly avoided blaming Russia for starting the war, further raising concerns over his stance on the conflict.
What’s Next for Ukraine?:
Following the White House incident, reports suggest that Trump’s administration is considering curtailing arms shipments to Ukraine that were previously approved by former President Joe Biden before leaving office.
Speaking to Fox News, Zelensky admitted that it would be “difficult” for Ukraine to hold off Russian forces without continued US support. However, he expressed hope that Washington and Kyiv’s relationship could be salvaged.
“We need Trump to be really more on our side,” Zelensky stated.
Europe Reacts with Alarm:
The fallout from the Trump-Zelensky clash has sent shockwaves through Europe, with leaders from France, Germany, and Britain quickly reaffirming their support for Ukraine.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas went a step further, appearing to question the US role in leading the Western response to Russia’s aggression.
“Today, it became clear that the free world needs a new leader. It’s up to us, Europeans, to take this challenge,” she wrote on social media.
In response to the crisis, more than a dozen European leaders are set to meet in London on Sunday to discuss the war in Ukraine. Additionally, European Council President Antonio Costa has scheduled a special European summit on Ukraine for March 6.
With the US-Ukraine relationship now facing its biggest test yet, the coming weeks could prove critical for Kyiv’s future on the battlefield—and beyond.
