Ukrainians were confronted with a harsh new reality on Saturday, as a heated confrontation between President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump at the White House pushed relations between Kyiv and its primary military ally to an unprecedented low.

The clash, which took place on Friday, centered around conflicting strategies for ending Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Zelensky pressed for strong security guarantees from the Trump administration, which has leaned toward diplomacy with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

While many Ukrainians, battle-hardened after three years of war, rallied behind Zelensky, there was growing concern about the future of US support for Kyiv’s efforts. As Russian forces, larger and better equipped, continue to advance across the eastern regions, uncertainty looms over the continued.

"Trump and Putin are dividing up the world - that's what I would say. I don't know what will come of it," said Kyiv resident Liudmyla Stetsevych, 47.

However, she and other Ukrainians interviewed by Reuters expressed hope that Ukraine's allies in Europe would boost political and military support if the US dialed back its own.

"We are really very grateful to (the US) for the support we have received all this time and continue to receive, but our dignity and honour should come first," said Alina Zhaivoronko, standing near a sea of small flags in central Kyiv commemorating Ukraine's war dead.

"The Americans don't know the real situation, what's going on here," said 54-year-old Ella Kazantseva, an east Ukraine native. "They don't understand. Everything is beautiful for them."

European leaders also leapt to Zelensky's defence following the spat on Friday in an outpouring of support on social media.

ZELENSKY TO MEET STARMER

Ukrainian lawmaker Andrii Osadchuk expressed that he was not surprised by the tone of US President Donald Trump and Republican Senator Mike Vance, calling it further evidence that Kyiv's Western allies must step up their support.

Top Ukrainian officials, including President Zelensky, have consistently framed Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s full-scale invasion as critical not only for the country but for broader European security.

"Not just a lot, but probably everything will depend on Europe—both for itself and for Ukraine," Osadchuk told Reuters.

Zelensky is set to meet British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Saturday, Starmer’s office confirmed, ahead of a broader summit with European leaders in London on Sunday. The summit will focus on creating a security framework for any potential peace agreement between Moscow and Kyiv.

Meanwhile, EU leaders are expected to convene next week to discuss increasing defense spending in light of the ongoing conflict.

In a column published early Saturday, the Ukrainian news outlet European Pravda argued that while Zelensky’s confrontation with US leaders could be damaging, it sent a strong message about Ukraine’s commitment to its sovereignty.

"Regardless of where history takes us, the world—including Donald Trump—must recognize that these issues truly matter for Ukraine," the column stated.

On the Russian side, former President Dmitry Medvedev remarked on Saturday that Russia is open to flexible negotiations on Ukraine, but only in line with the current situation on the ground. According to state news agency RIA Novosti, Russia now occupies around one-fifth of Ukrainian territory.

Medvedev further stated that Russia is ready to discuss a settlement to the Ukrainian crisis, but only with parties "willing to engage in dialogue."