Following a heated Oval Office confrontation between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump, Ukrainians have rallied behind their leader, viewing him as a steadfast defender of the nation`s interests, reports AP.
The tense exchange, which occurred in the final moments of their highly anticipated meeting, appeared to undermine hopes that the United States would remain a steadfast ally in helping Ukraine resist and ultimately end Russia’s three-year-long invasion.
During the discussion, Trump and Vice President JD Vance criticised Zelensky for what they perceived as insufficient gratitude for previous U.S. support, a moment that was welcomed by officials in Moscow, who saw it as a significant deterioration in Washington-Kyiv relations.
Ukrainians unfazed by the dispute
Despite the confrontation, many Ukrainians expressed little concern, believing that Zelensky had defended Ukraine’s dignity and interests by standing firm against some of the world’s most powerful leaders.
Nataliia Serhiienko, a 67-year-old retiree from Kyiv, said she felt Ukrainians approved of Zelensky’s performance in Washington.
“He fought like a lion,” she remarked.
“They had a heated discussion, a very intense one,” she added. “But Zelensky was defending Ukraine’s interests.”
The meeting had originally been intended to finalise a bilateral agreement to establish a joint investment fund for Ukraine’s reconstruction—an initiative seen as a step towards ending the war and fostering long-term economic ties between the two nations.
However, with the meeting ending on a sour note, the deal remained unsigned, and Ukraine’s prospects for securing further U.S. security guarantees appeared more uncertain than ever.
Read More: After fiery Trump-Zelensky spat, what next for Ukraine?
Nevertheless, despite Zelenskyy leaving Washington empty-handed, his support at home remained strong.
Regional leader praises Zelenskyy’s resilience
As two drone strikes hit the northeastern city of Kharkiv on Friday night, the region’s governor, Oleh Syniehubov, commended Zelensky for standing firm against pressure, insisting that any peace agreement must include security guarantees to prevent future Russian aggression.
“Our leader, despite the pressure, stands firm in defending the interests of Ukraine and Ukrainians… We need only a just peace with security assurances,” Syniehubov stated.
Kyiv resident Artem Vasyliev, 37, was critical of the U.S. response, describing the Oval Office exchange as “complete disrespect” towards Ukraine, despite the country`s role in resisting Russian aggression.
“We are striving for democracy, and yet we are met with utter disregard—for our warriors, our soldiers, and our people,” said Vasyliev, who hails from Russian-occupied Luhansk in eastern Ukraine.
He also criticised Trump for failing to grasp the human toll of the war.
“He doesn’t understand that people are dying, that cities are being destroyed, that people—mothers, children, soldiers—are suffering. He is just a businessman, and for him, money is sacred,” Vasyliev said.
Social media praise for Zelenskyy
Ukrainian social media was flooded with messages of support for Zelenskyy, with officials at various levels of government voicing solidarity with him.
The reaction mirrored a previous surge of unity after Trump falsely claimed that Ukraine was led by a “dictator” who had initiated the war with Russia—a statement that prompted even some of Zelenskyy’s critics to rally behind him.
Oleksandr Prokudin, governor of the southern Kherson region—partially occupied by Russia early in the war before being retaken by Ukrainian forces—stressed that years of conflict had strengthened Ukrainians’ resilience.
“We understand pressure—on the battlefield, in politics, and in daily life,” Prokudin stated. “It has made us stronger. It has made the president stronger. Determination drives us forward, and I am confident we will persevere.”
While the Trump administration framed the Oval Office confrontation as part of its “America First” policy, accusing Zelenskyy of lacking gratitude for U.S. assistance, the Ukrainian leader’s supporters praised his unwavering commitment to the nation’s interests—even at the cost of clashing with Washington.
“Unyielding dedication to Ukraine’s interests and loyalty to his country. That’s what we witnessed today in the United States. Support for the President of Ukraine,” Vice Prime Minister Oleksii Kuleba wrote on Telegram.
Calls for diplomacy
Not all Ukrainian political figures were entirely supportive of how the meeting unfolded. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko expressed concern that the rift with Washington could cost Ukraine vital U.S. support.
“We must not lose the backing of the United States, which is critically important to us,” Klitschko cautioned.
“Now is not the time for emotions, from either side. We need to find common ground,” he urged in a Telegram post.
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