European leaders have reaffirmed their support for Ukraine amid US President Donald Trump’s shifting blame for a tense White House meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The London summit, which took place before the White House encounter, saw EU leaders pledge troops and funding to bolster Ukraine’s defenses against Russian aggression.
Contrasting Trump’s actions, European leaders have been quick to condemn his claims that Zelensky disrupted US efforts to strike a ceasefire with Russia. The EU has instead accused Trump of undermining long-standing security and trade norms.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who hosted the London summit, called on other European governments to grow their militaries and join a “coalition of the willing” in supporting Ukraine. The move is seen as an attempt by Johnson to position the UK at the forefront of Europe’s response to Trump’s upending of traditional alliances.
Trump officials have lined up to pin the blame for the White House blowup on Zelensky, with some accusing him of “Ukraine-splainin'” and disrupting good-faith negotiations. However, many lawmakers, including Republicans, have pushed back against this characterization, saying that Zelensky’s demands for security assurances are reasonable.
As tensions between Ukraine and Russia escalate, European leaders are determined to send a clear message: they will not abandon their ally in the face of Russian aggression. The EU’s support for Ukraine is seen as a key test of Trump’s leadership on global issues and may have significant implications for the future of transatlantic relations.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/03/02/zelensky-europe-leaders-meeting-ukraine