German and European politicians have commented on the cancelled meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock stated, “Ukraine is not alone. Germany, together with our European partners, stands firmly by Ukraine’s side and against Russian aggression.” She emphasized, “Ukraine can build on unshakeable support from Germany, Europe and beyond.”
French President Emmanuel Macron also commented, saying that Ukraine is an attacked country and Russia is the aggressor. Polish President Donald Tusk assured Zelensky and Ukraine of Poland’s solidarity, writing, “Dear Zelensky, dear Ukrainian friends, you are not alone.”
According to SPD Co-Party Chief Lars Klingbeil, Germany will take the lead in helping Ukraine. “The behavior of the US government shows once again that Europe must take its future into its own hands. We must become stronger on all levels” he wrote. “Germany will and must take the lead, also to help Ukraine.”
Friedrich Merz, the likely future Chancellor, published a short message on X, saying, “We stand by Ukraine in good and bad times. We must never confuse the aggressor and the victim in this war.”
CDU Foreign Policy Expert Johann Wadephul criticized Trump, saying, “The scenes from the White House are shocking. How can one betray the president of a besieged country like that? Free Europe will not betray Ukraine!”
Other German politicians have also criticized Trump, with CDU Security Policy Expert Roderich Kiesewetter calling the meeting an “attack on Zelensky.” He wrote, “The US is no longer a partner. Donald Trump is pushing Ukraine under the bus.”
Green Party Chair Franziska Brantner accused Trump of imperialist behavior, saying, “Trump is making it clear what he understands by diplomacy: extortion and sale. Whoever doesn’t buy in is ‘ungrateful.’ That’s not peace, that’s imperialist thinking.”
SPD Foreign Policy Expert Michael Roth called Trump’s behavior politically devastating and inhumane. He accused Trump of offering Ukraine to a dictatorship.
AfD Co-Chair Tino Chrupalla praised Trump’s actions, saying, “President Trump breaks off the conversation with Ukraine’s President Zelensky because the latter is not ready for peace.” Chrupalla added that peace must be achieved, even without Zelensky and that it’s not a matter of resources, but of reason.
Werte-Union Chair Hans-Georg Maaßen, who has a significant online presence, wrote, “I would have thrown Zelensky out. One should never go into a conversation with Trump if one is not 100% sober.” Maaßen alluded to the persistent rumor of Zelensky’s drug use.