European leaders have doubled down on their support for Volodymyr Zelenskyy after the Ukrainian president's meeting with Trump ended in bitter disagreement.

Trump and Vice President JD Vance criticized Zelenskyy in the White House’s Oval Office, pointing out that Zelenskyy did not appreciate American military support. Their differences played out live on TV on Friday.

European leaders called on the Ukrainian leader to "be strong, be brave, be fearless." The European Union's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, said it's "clear that the free world needs a new leader" after the unusually explosive meeting.

European support for Zelenskyy has exposed a significant divide with Washington as the Russo-Ukraine war enters its fourth year. Trump wants a peace treaty negotiated with Russian President Vladimir Putin and for Europe to do more than express emotional support for Ukraine.

"The excessively emotional and hypocritical outcry from Europe over Ukraine has become unbearable," Velina Tchakarova, a Geopolitical Strategist, wrote on X on Sunday. "These empty platitudes are crafted to provoke the right emotional reactions rather than to drive meaningful action."

US-Ukraine Divide Deepens Despite European Support for Zelenskyy

The divide between Trump and Zelenskyy has undermined US efforts for a peace agreement. Trump wanted a minerals' deal that he thought would have economically bound the US and Ukraine together "for a generation."

It involved critical minerals, investment, and commitments from the UK and France to put "boots on the ground," White House National Security Advisor Mike Waltz said on Monday during an interview with Fox News.

The White House viewed the agreement as a step toward “ending the war and stopping the destruction,” Waltz said.

But the last 10 minutes of the nearly 45-minute White House meeting derailed the deal, undermining ties between the two countries. Trump was frustrated and angry because it's unclear if Zelenskyy "truly wants to stop the fighting," Waltz said.

Zelenskyy Reiterates Need for US Security Guarantee

The Ukrainian president had urged in the White House meeting skepticism about Russian President Vladimir Putin's commitment to diplomacy. He called for US security commitments, while wearing military-style black sweatshirt, adorned with the Ukrainian trident.

"What should have been a photo opportunity before a substantive discussion became a disaster that has weakened Ukraine at this critical juncture," Andrew A. Michta, a senior fellow at Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, wrote on X.

"It is unlikely that the Trump administration will now engage with Zelensky as their interlocutor."

Zelenskyy reiterated his message about a US security guarantee on Monday.

"Everyone is united on the main issue – for peace to be real, we need real security guarantees," Zelenskyy said on X. "We understand the importance of America, and we are grateful for all the support we've received from the United States."

European Leaders Support Ukraine With Aid Pledges, Peace Plan

After being asked to leave the White House, Zelenskyy flew to London. He met British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who pledged a loan of £2.26 billion for military supplies backed by profits from frozen Russian assets.

Starmer then held a Ukraine summit on Sunday with 16 leaders and representatives from NATO and the EU. He tried to rally his European counterparts to support Ukraine and emphasized the need for a “just and lasting peace” that ensures Ukraine's sovereignty.

"We are doubling down," Starmer said at the summit's end. He also announced a $2 billion in British export financing for Ukraine to purchase air defense missiles manufactured in Belfast.

However, European policymakers criticized Trump's position on Ukraine before the meeting. Trump has accused Zelenskyy of starting the war and being a "dictator without elections."

Friedrich Merz, the leader of Germany's Christian Democratic Union and likely next Chancellor after elections on February 23, said that Trump's statements were "shocking." They amounted to "a classic case of switching the perpetrator with the victim," he said.

UK, France Working Together On Ukraine Peace Deal

Starmer used the summit as part of a broader effort to bridge the gap between Europe and the US. He wanted to salvage what had seemed like the start of a peace process before Friday's spat.

Starmer said he worked with French President Emmanuel Macron on a comprehensive peace plan to implement an immediate cessation of hostilities to facilitate negotiations. They want to unite nations committed to providing military support, including deploying peacekeeping forces, to uphold any peace agreement.

So far, though, Europe has struggled to develop a coherent Ukraine policy. Zelenskyy called Europe "to come together and act in such a way that no one can say no to Europe, boss it around or treat it like a weakling.”

"But what has Europe actually accomplished?," Jeroen Blokland, founder of the Netherlands-based Blokland Smart Multi-Asset Fund, asked on X. "This war has dragged on for more than three years, and during that time, European politicians have failed to bring the parties involved to the negotiating table in any meaningful way."

US Officials See Zelenskyy As Obstacle to Peace

Before the fallout at the White House, Starmer and Macron had pushed a European-led peace agreement.

On February 24, Macron stressed in Washington the necessity of US security reassurances for Ukraine. He said that France and the UK were considering a plan to deploy troops to Ukraine, which Russia has opposed.

According to the proposal, the US would provide air cover, intelligence and logistics to deter Russia from launching another invasion. Germany called the idea "premature." Poland is opposed to the deployment of troops to Ukraine.

Any deal will ultimately rely on Zelenskyy.

"Zelensky's supporters in the West should be urging him to seek a diplomatic off-ramp," David Sacks, tech founder and White House A. & Crypto Czar, wrote on X. "Certainly they should stop catering to his unrealistic and maximalist demands."

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