In the Slovenian capital, Ljubljana, residents expressed concerns that the escalating tensions between Ukrainian and U.S. leaders could hinder efforts to resolve the Ukraine-Russia crisis.
Speaking to China Global Television Network (CGTN) during a recent street interview, they voiced hopes for diplomacy to prevail over confrontation.
"Hopefully, the passions will calm down, and some peace agreement will be reached, which would be good for the EU and the EU economy," said Luka Jasenko, a Ljubljana resident.
Friday's shouting match at the White House was fierce enough to leave a scheduled minerals deal between Ukraine and the U.S. unsigned.
The deal would establish a jointly owned fund between Ukraine and the United States, requiring Ukraine to contribute 50 percent of its future revenues from the monetization of natural resources, including minerals, oil, natural gas, and other extractable materials, as well as infrastructure relevant to natural resource assets.
Earlier, Washington had demanded 500 billion U.S. dollars' worth of resources for the aid it has provided, along with a 100 percent financial interest in a joint fund -- terms that the British Telegraph newspaper described as "economic colonization."
Serbian movie director Slobodan Maksimovic, on a visit to Slovenia, expressed his hope for an end to the war but voiced skepticism about the fairness of post-war peace settlements.
"The thing I want most is for that war to stop. Unfortunately, peace after wars is not always a just peace. Particularly in the past 100 years, peace has not been truly just," he said.
Some interviewees pointed out that the minerals deal exposed the U.S. leader's growing appetite for greater control and influence in global affairs, as evidenced by Trump's recent remarks about Canada becoming the 51st state of the U.S. and buying Greenland.
"I hope nothing serious is coming. I hope the whole world sees what is going on. He (President Trump) cannot control all countries and everything," Ljubljana resident Olga Kodze said.
Despite the open clash between Zelensky and Trump, Europe has continued to voice support for the Ukrainian leader and his country.
European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, gathered in London on Sunday for a defense summit aimed at advancing a peace plan for Ukraine.
However, the shouting match and transatlantic disagreements over the Ukraine crisis have left many people in Europe feeling powerless. Andrej Bodvol, another Ljubljana resident, pointed out that public opinion has been excluded from political discussions, leaving ordinary people with no choice but to sit by and follow the news.
"They showed us what we really deserve -- a show -- and we got the show. They put us in our place, on the sidelines. What is going to happen, we don't know, but we will follow the news," he said.
Slovenian residents voice concern over U.S.-Ukraine rift, call for just peace
