Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy earned praise from his compatriots for fiercely defending their homeland during a fiery Oval Office clash with U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday. The tense encounter ended with Zelenskyy being ushered out of the White House, yet experts insist the Kyiv-Washington relationship, though rattled, remains intact.
Just days after marking three years of war with Russia, Anna Tselukhina and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) are mobilizing again. The group plans an urgent rally in downtown Calgary on Sunday to respond to the heated exchange between Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Zelenskyy. In front of rolling cameras, Trump pressed Zelenskyy to cut a deal with Russia or face a U.S. exit, while both he and Vance criticized the Ukrainian leader for “gambling with World War III” and demanded more gratitude for America’s support against Russia’s ongoing assault.
“This rally is our chance to shout that Ukraine isn’t just a symbol or a resource—it’s a nation of people who feel, who dream, who fight for a free and independent home,” said Tselukhina, whose group labeled Trump and Vance’s conduct “disgraceful” and a “shameful attack.” She noted the deep disappointment among Ukrainians who sought refuge in Canada after the meeting unraveled.
Zelenskyy had traveled to Washington to seal a deal granting the U.S. access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals, but he left empty-handed after the blowup. Still, Hanna Shelest, security studies director at the Ukrainian Prism Foreign Policy Council and editor-in-chief of Ukraine Analytica, sees a silver lining. “The relationship is strained, not shattered,” she said. Shelest suspects Trump and Vance orchestrated the confrontation deliberately, adding, “It’s as if Trump wants to cast himself as the peacemaker hero, pinning blame on Zelenskyy and Ukrainians for prolonging the conflict.”
Maria Popova, an associate professor of political science at McGill University, views the exchange as a glimpse into Trump’s strategy. “They’re trying to pressure Zelenskyy into signing a blank-check peace deal, to bend him to their will,” she said. “This tug-of-war could drag on as the administration flexes its muscle to force Ukraine’s hand.”
Despite the unsigned minerals agreement, Shelest points out Zelenskyy’s openness to future U.S. collaboration. She also notes Trump softening his earlier “dictator” jab at Zelenskyy, hinting at flexibility. But a looming question hangs: Will the U.S. sustain its support, or will Europe shoulder more of the load? “Without America, it’s a steep hill to climb—Europe alone can’t fill that gap,” Shelest warned. She highlighted the stakes, noting that if the U.S. holds back Patriot missile systems, “civilian deaths will spike as Russian bombs rain down undefended.”
Answers might emerge next week at a London summit of European leaders. On Saturday, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer embraced Zelenskyy, pledging unwavering support, while King Charles reportedly invited him to Sandringham on Sunday, reinforcing Britain’s backing. Leaders from Canada, the EU, and several member states also voiced solidarity, messages Zelenskyy gratefully shared on X.
Canada’s Foreign Minister Melanie Joly reaffirmed commitment to Ukraine and a potential U.S. deal but sidestepped condemning the Oval Office spat directly. “Russia’s watching this chaos closely,” she told reporters in Vancouver. “Putin has no limits, so we must keep supporting Ukrainians and hold the G7 together amidst this uncertainty.”
On the battlefield, Shelest says Russia and Ukraine are jockeying for leverage ahead of talks. She urges digging deeper into Friday’s motives: “If this was to appease Russia, it’s a tougher road—it’d mean the U.S. picked an enemy over a friend.” In Calgary, Tselukhina clings to hope for her homeland. “This is a global test,” she said. “Will democracy stand tall, or will we let it slip away?”