Ukrainians Slam Trump, Rally Around Zelensky

Ukrainians on the streets of Kyiv rallied around President Volodymyr Zelensky following his heated exchange with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, Anna Dabrowska and Max Hunder reported for Reuters.

Moscow launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine three years ago and has occupied parts of the country since 2014.

During the meeting, Zelensky openly challenged Trump over his stance on Russian President Vladimir Putin, urging him to "make no compromises with a killer." In response, Trump accused Zelensky of risking World War III and of being ungrateful for the military aid the U.S. has provided to Ukraine.

"Trump finally understood that Zelensky is a president who will not just give up," said Mila, an HR manager in Kyiv.

"It is not Ukraine that is gambling with World War III—more likely, we are being used in this game as a bargaining chip," added Oksana, a business consultant.

On social media, Ukrainian officials and other leaders voiced their support for Zelensky, calling for national unity in a country weary from three years of war. "President Zelensky has the bravery and strength to stand up for what is right," Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, who attended the meeting with Trump, wrote on social media.

The meeting in Washington was intended to smooth tense personal relations between Trump and Zelensky, with both leaders expected to sign an agreement that would have shared profits from Ukraine’s critical raw material deposits with the U.S.

However, the discussion quickly turned into a heated argument in front of the cameras, as Trump visibly irritated Zelensky by refusing to condemn Russia.