Many Ukrainians have praised President Volodymyr Zelensky for standing firm in his heated exchange with U.S. President Donald Trump during their tense White House meeting.
“I’m speechless,” said Roman Shkanov, a 32-year-old office worker in Kyiv, on February 28. “A powerful country like the U.S. has such a weak stance—it’s unbelievable.”
Shkanov was reacting to the meeting earlier that day, in which Trump pressured Zelensky to accept compromises with Russia to secure a ceasefire. In response, Zelensky showed Trump photos of Ukrainian prisoners of war returned by Russia and declared there would be "no compromises" as long as Moscow occupied Ukrainian territory.
The conversation quickly escalated into a heated argument, with Trump and Vice President JD Vance accusing Zelensky of being "ungrateful" and "gambling with World War III." After the clash, Zelensky left the White House earlier than planned, the two leaders canceled their joint press conference, and the expected mineral deal remained unsigned.
“He defended our interests and refused to let us be enslaved,” Shkanov said, applauding Zelensky’s stance.
Public Support in Kyiv
On the streets of Kyiv, many Ukrainians agreed with Zelensky and expressed frustration with Trump's comments.
Valentyn Burianov, 26, criticized Trump and Vance, calling their remarks "nonsense".
“Zelensky did exactly what needed to be done,” he said.
Mira, a human resources manager, said the tense exchange would remind Trump that Zelensky is not a leader who gives in easily.
“Ukraine is not gambling with World War III—we’re the ones being used as a bargaining chip,” said Oksana, a business consultant, referring to Trump's statements.
Government Officials and Public Figures Show Support
Several Ukrainian officials and public figures also backed Zelensky, urging national unity.
"President Zelensky has the courage and strength to stand up for what is right," said Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, who was present at the White House meeting.
Oleksandr Merezhko, head of Ukraine’s parliamentary foreign affairs committee, insisted that parliament stood behind Zelensky.
“We are proud of our president and his courage to defend Ukraine,” Merezhko said. “We stand united, but we also hope that common sense and wisdom will prevail.”
He also suggested that Trump should visit Kyiv to witness the war’s impact firsthand, criticizing his proposed peace plan as one that favors Russia.
“Appeasing Russia won’t bring peace—it will open the door to World War III,” he warned.
However, not all politicians agreed. Oleksandr Dubinsky, an opposition lawmaker, called Zelensky’s behavior a "diplomatic disaster" and even called for his impeachment.
Concerns Over U.S. Support for Ukraine
Despite widespread support for Zelensky, some Ukrainians worried that the White House confrontation could hurt future U.S. aid.
Anna Plachkova, a 26-year-old doctor, acknowledged U.S. contributions to Ukraine’s war effort but was deeply troubled by Trump’s remarks.
“To accuse us of being ungrateful—that’s a serious claim,” she said.
Since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, the U.S. has provided over $60 billion in military aid and nearly $120 billion in total support, according to Germany’s Kiel Institute for the World Economy.
Plachkova feared the argument could jeopardize this aid.
“U.S. support is crucial,” she said. “This could have major consequences on the battlefield.”
A senior U.S. official, speaking anonymously to The Washington Post, confirmed that the Biden administration is now reviewing whether to pause military aid to Kyiv.
Lilia Ivanova, 22, shared similar concerns.
“This doesn’t look good for Ukraine,” she said.
Like many Ukrainians, Ivanova once hoped that Trump—who campaigned on promises to quickly end the war—could broker a lasting peace.
“We kept hoping the war would end in a week, three months, a year,” she said. “We even had some hope in Trump, but now, that hope is gone.”
(Sources: AFP, Reuters)
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