World leaders have expressed solidarity with Ukraine after the country’s President, Volodymyr Zelensky’s heated meeting with American President Donald Trump on Friday at the Oval Office.

Mr Trump and his deputy, JD Vance, lampooned Mr Zelensky calling him ungrateful and disrespectful to the U.S. despite its support to Ukraine in the ongoing war against Russia.

“You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people,” Mr Trump said during the meeting with Mr Zelensky that ended abruptly. “You’re gambling with World War III, and what you’re doing is very disrespectful to the country – this country.”

After leaving the meeting, Mr Zelensky took to X to say “Thank you POTUS, Congress, and the American people. Ukraine needs just and lasting peace and we are working exactly for that.”

The heated meeting between Mr Trump and Mr Zelensky sparked reactions from world leaders with many of them pledging to stand with Ukraine.

A statement by Downing Street, said UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer would hold a meeting with Mr Zelensky and other “international leaders on Sunday,” adding that Mr Starmer, “retains his unwavering support for Ukraine and is playing his part to find a path forward to a lasting peace, based on sovereignty and security for Ukraine.”

Germany outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz, said “Ukraine can rely on Germany and on Europe. No one wants peace more than the citizens of Ukraine! That is why we are jointly seeking the path to a lasting and just peace.”

Friedrich Merz, incoming Germany chancellor, in a tweet expressed solidarity with Ukriane, saying “We stand with Ukraine in good and in testing times. We must never confuse aggressor and victim in this terrible war.”

Ireland Prime, Minister Michael Martin, said, “When I met with President Zelenskyy yesterday, I reiterated our full support for a just, durable and sustained peace.”

“Russia illegally and unjustifiably invaded Ukraine. For three years now, Ukrainians have fought with courage and resilience. Their fight for democracy, freedom, and sovereignty is a fight that matters to us all,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wrote on X.

“Your dignity honours the bravery of the Ukrainian people. Be strong, be brave, be fearless,” said EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in a message of solidarity on X.

However, Russian Security Council deputy head, Dmitry Medvedev, in a post on Telegram cheered Mr Trump for giving Ukraine a “strong slap on the wrist.”

“For the first time, Trump told the cocaine clown the truth to his face: The Kyiv regime is playing with the Third World War. And the ungrateful pig received a strong slap on the wrist from the owners of the pigsty. This is useful. But it’s not enough – we must stop military aid to the Nazi machine,” said Mr Medvedev.