Europe Reaffirms Support for Ukraine as Zelensky, Trump Exchange Tensions
"I see no reason to apologize. We have done nothing wrong." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed his country’s position on the Ukraine conflict on Friday, stating that "Russia is the aggressor and Ukraine is the victim." He defended France’s decision to support Kyiv and impose sanctions on Moscow, stressing that such actions were justified and would continue.
Macron’s remarks came amid growing international support for Ukraine. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk took to X to reassure Ukrainians, writing, "You are not alone." Similarly, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed solidarity, stating, "Spain stands with you."
Zelensky Rejects Calls for Apology Amid White House Tensions
Meanwhile, a White House meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reportedly turned tense.
Trump criticized Zelensky for not displaying sufficient gratitude for U.S. support, while Zelensky firmly rejected any suggestion of an apology.
In an interview with Fox News, Zelensky was asked whether he would consider apologizing to Trump. His response was resolute: "I see no reason to apologize. We have done nothing wrong." He acknowledged that the meeting was difficult but emphasized that Ukraine remains committed to securing guarantees for its national security.
Russia Downplays White House Talks, Accuses Zelensky of Misrepresentation
On the Russian side, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova dismissed Zelensky’s claim that Ukraine stands alone, calling it a "big lie." Meanwhile, Kirill Dmitriev, head of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund, described the Trump-Zelensky meeting as "historic" but suggested it lacked substance.
Zelensky Leaves Washington Without Finalizing Security Agreement
Zelensky arrived in Washington on Friday to sign a long-anticipated security agreement. However, reports later indicated that he left the White House without finalizing the deal, and a scheduled joint press conference was abruptly canceled following the tense discussions.
