The MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region has shared its reactions to US President Donald Trump’s spat with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky [Getty]
The heated exchange between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House has sparked widespread reactions across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, with many taking to social media to criticise Trump’s handling of the meeting.
Trump publicly berated Zelensky on Friday for not being “thankful” and accused him of disrespecting the US, claiming he was not ready for peace.
The fiery exchange, which led to Zelensky’s abrupt exit from the White House, drew sharp criticism from Arab social media users, who described it as a “violent and unprecedented” encounter.
Many condemned Trump for humiliating his guest, while others praised Zelensky for his composure and courage.
Saudi social media figure Eyad Al-Hamoud posted that the exchange was “unprecedented”.
Qatar-based TV host Faisal al-Qassem said Trump’s treatment of Zelensky was a sign of a broader US betrayal of Ukraine.
“Poor Zelensky… They sold you out and sold Ukraine, and no consolation for the other poor people who are betting on US support,” he said.
Lebanese political analyst Belal Nezar echoed this sentiment, saying: “This is America, and this is your ally. Trump, who is accustomed to insulting his allies and who recently insulted a king, is now directly insulting Ukrainian President Zelensky, cursing and berating him on air.”
Iraqi journalist Muna Sami praised Zelensky’s stance, describing him as “resilient” and “emotionally controlled” in the face of Trump’s attacks.
Some Arab users drew comparisons between Zelensky’s response to Trump and the US president’s interactions with Middle Eastern leaders, particularly his latest meeting with Jordan’s King Abdullah II in early February.
During the meeting, King Abdullah II faced heavy criticism for not pushing back against the US president’s plan to take over the Gaza Strip and forcibly displace its population.
The Jordanian king also appeared to offer a concession to Trump, who, just a day before the visit, had floated the possibility of halting US aid to Jordan if it refused to accept refugees.
“One of the things that we can do right away is take 2,000 children, cancer children who are in a very ill state. That is possible,” Abdullah said at the time.
One X user said: “I gotta say the interaction with Trump had me respecting Zelensky more than the king of Jordan, who was verbally sod*mised by Trump on international television and he just sat there and took it.”
“At least Zelenskyy muttered b*tch in another language.”
Another added: “Whatever the outcome, history will rate Zelenskyy as a brave man while as King Abdullah of Jordan as a coward.”
Arab-American comic and writer Sammy Obeid joked: “Zelensky came to the meeting as Netanyahu and left as the King of Jordan.”
Iranian officials also framed the Zelensky-Trump incident as a lesson for those who believe the US can be trusted, using the opportunity to criticise reformists who advocate for renewed nuclear talks with Washington.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry reposted a 2022 statement warning that Ukraine’s fate was a lesson for nations that rely on Western support.
“The first lesson in the Ukraine issue is that the support of Western powers for the countries and governments that serve as their proxies is a mirage – it is not real. All governments should be aware of this,” the 2022 statement said.
“Those governments that place their trust in the United States and Europe should look at Ukraine today and Afghanistan yesterday.”
