Less than a week after organizing a rally to show support for Ukraine on the three-year anniversary of the war with Russia, Anna Tselukhin and her organization are preparing to gather again. The Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) will host an emergency rally on Sunday afternoon at the Calgary Center in response to the tense meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday.
During the heated exchange in the Oval Office, Zelenskyy was told to negotiate a deal with Russia to end the war or face being “left out.” Trump and Vance also accused Zelenskyy of “risking World War III” and criticized him for not being more grateful for U.S. support during Russia’s three-year siege.
“It is our way to raise our voices and say that Ukraine is not just a flag or rare metals underground. Ukraine is people—people who understand, who want their home to be free and independent,” said Tselukhin.
Ukrainians who fled to Canada due to the war expressed disappointment over the meeting. The UCC labeled Trump and Vance’s behavior as “shameful” and a “disgraceful attack.” Zelenskyy, who was in Washington to finalize an economic agreement involving rare earth minerals from Ukraine, left the White House without signing the deal.
Tensions Between Ukraine and the U.S. Remain High
Despite the explosive exchange, the relationship between Kyiv and Washington remains strained but not severed, according to Hanna Shelest, director of the Security Studies Program at the Ukrainian Prism Foreign Policy Council. Shelest believes the confrontation was intentional, designed to portray Trump as a peace-seeking hero while framing Zelenskyy and Ukrainians as warmongers.
Maria Popova, a professor of political science at McGill University, echoed this sentiment, suggesting that the Trump administration aimed to pressure Ukraine into accepting a peace deal favorable to Russia. “They want to break him and get him to agree to whatever they decide will be the peace agreement,” she said.
While no agreement on rare earth minerals was signed, Shelest noted that Zelenskyy remains open to future negotiations with the U.S. Trump’s retraction of his earlier comments calling Zelenskyy a dictator also indicates a willingness to reconsider his stance, she added.
The Path Forward for Ukraine
The question now is whether the U.S. will continue to support Ukraine or if the burden will fall to Europe. Shelest warned that without U.S. assistance, it would be “extremely difficult” for European countries to fill the gap. Experts also cautioned about the consequences if the U.S. withholds the Patriot missile system, which could lead to increased civilian casualties as Russian bombs continue to target Ukrainian cities.
Answers may come as early as next week when allies meet in London. Ahead of the summit, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer reaffirmed the UK’s unwavering support for Ukraine. British media also reported that King Charles extended an invitation for Zelenskyy to visit Sandringham on Sunday, further signaling solidarity.
Global Support for Ukraine
Leaders from Canada, the European Union, and several EU member states have also expressed their support for Ukraine. Zelenskyy acknowledged and thanked them for their solidarity in a post on X (formerly Twitter). Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly reiterated Canada’s commitment to Ukraine and its efforts to secure an agreement with the U.S. While she did not directly condemn the Oval Office meeting, she emphasized that Russia “monitored the interaction closely.”
In Calgary, Tselukhin remains hopeful for her country and the family and friends she left behind. “This is a test for the whole world. Will we uphold democracy as a high value or give up on it? I hope we can pass this test,” she said.
