Latest Update: Zelenskyy seeks support at emergency European summit after bruising Trump encounter….See More

The continent’s leaders are struggling to deal with the fallout after Zelenskyy was berated by Trump in an on-air exchange that put the fraying trans-Atlantic alliance on dramatic display.

LONDON — Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Saturday as European leaders grapple with the fallout from an extraordinary on-air exchange in which the Ukrainian president was loudly berated by Donald Trump.

Zelenskyy was seen leaving 10 Downing Street with Starmer on Saturday evening after their meeting ended. Starmer went back inside, while Zelenskyy got into a car. Neither made a statement to the media.

European leaders are set to meet on Sunday at an emergency summit to discuss Russia and a peace plan for Ukraine.

Britain’s Starmer and President Emmanuel Macron of France have led efforts to convince Trump to continue supporting Ukraine, which was invaded by Russia three years ago. The spat in the Oval Office in front of the media has called into question whether that support will continue, and if the United States will proceed with a dramatic rapprochement with Russia’s Vladimir Putin.

Most European countries came out in support of Ukraine, breaking with Washington as differences in the trans-Atlantic alliance built over the past 80 years burst into public view.

Today it became clear that the free world needs a new leader. It’s up to us, Europeans, to take this challenge,” European Union foreign minister Kaja Kallas said.

Friday’s meeting was meant to jump-start talks on a deal over Ukraine’s critical minerals, but degenerated into confrontation, with Trump and Vice President JD Vance criticizing Zelenskyy and telling him he wasn’t grateful enough.

European leaders quickly lined up to support the Ukrainian leader.

Zelenskyy’s “dignity honors the bravery of the Ukrainian people,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen posted on X. “Be strong, be brave, be fearless. You are never alone, dear President Zelenskyy. We will continue working with you for a just and lasting peace.”

“We must never confuse aggressor and victim in this terrible war,” wrote Friedrich Merz, the likely next leader of Germany.

Macron said it was essential to respect the Ukrainians “fighting for their dignity, their independence, for their children and for the security of Europe.”

Zelenskyy remained adamant that security guarantees be included in any agreement to end the war alongside the minerals deal drafted by the White House. These guarantees, he said, are the only thing that will keep Putin, who has a record of violating agreements, from continuing to fight in Ukraine and beyond.

On Friday, Trump told Zelenskyy he was being “disrespectful” and “gambling with World War III.”

“He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office,” Trump said in a post on his Truth Social website after the meeting ended. “He can come back when he is ready for Peace.”