Shortly after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy left the White House on Friday following a heated Oval Office exchange with President Donald Trump, Ukrainians rallied behind their leader as a defender of the nation’s interests. The tense meeting, which ended in a shouting match, dampened hopes that the U.S. would remain a steadfast partner in Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s ongoing invasion.
During the exchange, Trump and Vice President JD Vance criticized Zelenskyy for what they perceived as a lack of gratitude for past U.S. support. The incident was welcomed by officials in Moscow, who saw it as a further breakdown in relations between Washington and Kyiv. However, many Ukrainians viewed Zelenskyy’s firm stance as a show of resilience and national pride. Kyiv resident Nataliia Serhiienko, 67, said, “Zelenskyy fought like a lion,” standing his ground despite the pressure.
The meeting was intended to finalize a bilateral agreement establishing a joint investment fund for Ukraine’s reconstruction, a move that could have strengthened economic ties between the two nations and aided in ending the war. However, as Zelenskyy and his team left the White House without a signed deal, Ukraine’s hopes for long-term U.S. security support appeared more uncertain than ever.
Despite returning to Kyiv empty-handed, Zelenskyy’s support at home remained strong. As Russian drone strikes hit Kharkiv later that evening, regional governor Oleh Syniehubov praised the president’s refusal to accept a peace deal without security guarantees. “Our leader, despite the pressure, stands firm in defending Ukraine and Ukrainians. We need only a just peace with security guarantees,” he said.
Many Ukrainians saw the White House encounter as a sign of U.S. disrespect toward their nation’s sacrifices. Artem Vasyliev, a Kyiv resident originally from Russian-occupied Luhansk, condemned the American stance, arguing that Trump failed to grasp the human cost of the war. “He doesn’t understand that people are dying, that cities are being destroyed,” Vasyliev said.
On social media, Zelenskyy received widespread praise from Ukrainian officials at all levels of government, echoing the national unity seen when Trump previously accused him of being a “dictator” who started the war. Oleksandr Prokudin, governor of the Kherson region, said years of war had strengthened both the president and the country. “We know what pressure is. It has made us stronger. It has made the president stronger,” he stated.
While the Trump administration framed the confrontation as part of its “America First” policy and criticized Zelenskyy for perceived ingratitude, Ukrainian leaders lauded his unwavering commitment to the country’s interests.
Vice Prime Minister Oleksii Kuleba wrote on Telegram, “Unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s interests and devotion to his country. This is what we saw today in the United States.”
However, not all Ukrainian political figures were entirely supportive of how the meeting unfolded. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko expressed concern about the potential loss of U.S. support. “Today is not the time for emotions, from either side. We need to find common ground,” he cautioned.
