On August 19, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and six European leaders at the White House, a meeting that has ignited widespread debate following the release of photos on the White House’s Instagram page. The images depict Trump reclining confidently in a boss chair behind his desk, while European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and others, sit on small stools facing him, appearing to "listen to his lecture." A second photo, taken from Trump’s perspective, shows the leaders with varied expressions—some, like von der Leyen and Macron, looking pensive with hands on their laps, while Meloni adopts a defensive posture with arms crossed, and Finnish President Alexander Stubb takes notes diligently. A large map marking Russia’s annexed Ukrainian territories was prominently displayed, seemingly to underscore the discussion.
The meeting, split into a private session with Zelenskyy followed by a multilateral talk, also featured Trump showcasing his artwork and promoting his signature red hats, with European leaders offering stiff applause. Chinese media, including Xinhua’s “Niu Tanqin” WeChat account, seized on the images, labeling them a humiliation of Europe and a visual representation of power dynamics, contrasting with a 2018 G7 summit photo where German Chancellor Angela Merkel confronted Trump. The articles suggest Trump is settling old scores while pushing a pro-Russia stance, pressuring Europe to end the Ukraine war and securing a $100 billion arms deal funded by Europe for Ukraine’s security.
Analysts note China may exploit this to portray the U.S. as an unreliable ally, courting Europe instead. The photos, evoking an imperial "court session," highlight a shift from idealistic alliances to interest-driven geopolitics, with Trump’s unyielding stance dominating the outcome.