It was a falsehood so painful that it drew criticism from European political parties of the left and right, and even provoked a private caution from Britain's King Charles III. It was an insult so outrageous that it has probably alienated the British and other European publics more than any previous Trump attack. Trump, a man who avoided Vietnam service by claiming he had bone spurs, spat on the sacrifice of European soldiers who died fighting alongside American troops in Afghanistan.
Kyiv authorities and European officials alike are scrambling to find responses to a 28-point peace plan put forward by the US Trump administration. While Washington has touted the plan as a "win-win" resolution of the Ukraine conflict, critics have said it is heavily skewed to meet key demands from Moscow. Both Zelenskyy and Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha say they have discussed possible next steps with their European allies.