The Party of European Socialists stands firmly behind Ukrainian President Zelensky following his meeting with US President Donald Trump and Vice-President J.D. Vance. We are shocked and appalled by the behaviour of Trump and Vance towards Zelensky.
Commenting on the situation, PES President Stefan Löfven said:
”Yesterday’s outburst from the President and Vice-President of the United States is something I never expected to see in my lifetime. The behaviour of Trump and Vance was disgraceful and shameful.
To try make someone feel small to make yourself feel big, is a sign of not just arrogance, but the behaviour of a bully. In the face of this behaviour, Zelensky behaved like a true statesman, and diplomatically called out this failed attempt to publicly intimidate him.
Ukraine is not the aggressor and never has been. Ukraine has endured three years of an unprovoked Russian full-scale invasion. Ukraine has fought in the name of democracy and the rule of law. The shocking scenes from the oval office are a stark and sobering reminder of why it is paramount that as Europeans we cannot let Ukraine down. Together we are European, our security and our futures are intertwined.
It is imperative that we accelerate cooperation and step up our autonomy in the field of security, and that we start doing it with those member states who are truly willing to do it. The days of relying on the United States for security guarantees are gone. We trust in the leadership of the progressive movement to play a leading role in this process.’’
The PES stands with President Zelensky and the people of Ukraine in these ever-challenging times in the history of our continent. Ukraine is Europe, and the conception of the European project was driven by a dream to bring peace to our continent, and to stand together as one people. Facing Putin’s aggression, we are committed more than ever to this mission, and as progressives, we will standby Ukrainians until a fair, just and lasting peace is agreed.
