President Volodymyr Zelensky declared he is only standing up for national interests following scathing remarks from US President Donald Trump, who asserted the Ukrainian leader was more difficult to deal with than Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Speaking at a European Union summit in Brussels, Zelensky arrived flanked by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa, while thanking European leaders for their ongoing support. Russia is trying everything to destroy the energy and water infrastructure,” Von der Leyen told Zelensky, “but we stand by your side, we support you as we did in the other winters. According to zelensky, His country wanted the war to end “as quick as possible” but added that Russia was not showing signs that it wanted the same thing. There are a lot of targets that you can hit.
The diplomatic friction intensified after the White House struck a controversial energy agreement with Moscow to import diesel and restricted the US-owned Starlink internet network, which remains vital for Ukrainian military defense. When restrictions were placed on the US-owned Starlink internet network, which is critical for Kyiv’s military abilities to defend itself, his anger was further heightened earlier this week.
Zelensky stated he could not accept the diesel arrangement because it might precede a gas pact, asking who else would resist such moves if he did not.
Brussels discussions centered on financial assistance and winter preparations for Ukraine, marking the fifth cold season since Russia initiated its full-scale invasion in February 2022. Von der Leyen reaffirmed European backing, emphasizing that sanctions against Moscow must increase. The summit’s agenda focused on funding for Ukraine and helping it get through another cold winter – the fifth since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Trump criticized Kyiv’s resumed strikes on Russian oil refineries, labeling them a disgrace for driving up global fuel prices. Washington wants to protect the recent diesel import deal aimed at lowering domestic American fuel costs ahead of upcoming mid-term elections. All he’s doing is making the world oil price higher.
Zelensky condemned the diesel pact as a gift to Putin and an investment prolonging the war. He also called internet throttling on the Starlink network a very dangerous and unpleasant surprise after deadly Russian drone attacks struck Kharkiv and the Volyn region without warning. With several people killed in a Russian drone strike in the north-eastern city of Kharkiv, while some 270,000 households were without power after strikes in the western Volyn region, the local governors said, deadly attacks on Ukraine continued overnight. During an interview with US outlet Newsmax on Thursday evening, reflect the deteriorating relationship between the US and Ukraine, trump’s comments about Zelensky.
Despite the tensions, Zelensky expressed hope that American and Ukrainian negotiators would soon agree to a meeting at some level.
A news conference following the summit concluded with a notable 15-second silence after a reporter asked if Trump was using Zelensky as a scapegoat for political troubles. Breaking the silence with a grin, Zelensky told journalists that his expression was his answer. When Zelensky was asked by Sky news if he felt Trump was using him as a scapegoat for his own political problems, a news conference after the EU summit ended on a telling 15 seconds of silence. After a long silence, Zelensky broke out into a grin, prompting laughter from the journalists in the room. “This is my answer,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin echoed Trump’s assertion that the Ukrainian president has no desire to reach a negotiated settlement with Russia.
The Trump administration previously warned it might withhold crucial intelligence-sharing if Kyiv fails to halt its targeting of Russian energy infrastructure.
