BERLIN (AP) — European leaders pledged late Friday to stand by Ukraine in the wake of the contentious Oval Office meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, with their statements in support of their neighbor on the continent ensuring a deepening transatlantic rift.

Europe either needs to "step up" or Zelenskyy needs to "step down" after testy Oval Office meeting, according to Ukraine observers who saw the fiery exchange at the White House.

Trump, sitting between Zelenskyy and Vice President JD Vance in the Oval Office, told reporters that France and the United Kingdom are willing to help Ukraine with security. Leaders from both nations — President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer — met with Trump in the last two weeks.