Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sought to shore up European backing during a summit in Brussels on Friday, facing mounting pressure from Washington after United States President Donald Trump issued harsh remarks targeting his leadership.
Mr. Trump stated in an interview that the Ukrainian leader is more difficult to deal with than Russian President Vladimir Putin, adding that he is not a fan of Kyiv's administration. The American leader also condemned recent Ukrainian drone strikes against Russian oil infrastructure as a disgrace, arguing that such military actions drive up global fuel prices.
Relations between Washington and Kyiv have grown increasingly strained over several recent policy disagreements. Friction intensified after the United States finalized an agreement to import Russian diesel in an effort to lower domestic fuel costs ahead of upcoming elections, a move that prompted sharp rebukes from Ukrainian officials.
Arriving at the European Union headquarters, Mr. Zelensky was greeted by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa. The gathering focused heavily on securing financial aid and logistical assistance to help the nation withstand the upcoming winter amid ongoing destruction of its civilian utilities.
Ms. von der Leyen reaffirmed the bloc's commitment to Ukraine, noting that energy and water networks remain primary targets for Russian bombardment. She emphasized that European sanctions against Moscow must be strengthened rather than relaxed.
Mr. Costa echoed those sentiments, asserting that the current geopolitical climate demands unwavering support for Kyiv and strict maintenance of existing penalties against Moscow. While he did not directly mention Washington, his remarks implicitly contrasted with the recent US decision to ease trade restrictions on Russian fuel products.
The diplomatic friction follows a brief, unfulfilled pause in energy infrastructure attacks. Mr. Zelensky had temporarily halted strikes against Russian oil facilities at Mr. Trump's request for a temporary energy ceasefire, but announced that operations would resume because Moscow failed to honor the arrangement.
Meanwhile, deadly hostilities continued on the ground in Ukraine. Regional authorities reported fatalities following a nocturnal drone strike in the northern city of Kharkiv, while hundreds of thousands of households in the western Volyn region lost electricity due to targeted infrastructure bombardments.
Mr. Zelensky stressed that while his government desires a swift conclusion to the conflict, Moscow has shown no genuine willingness to negotiate a lasting peace. As a result, he told European leaders that winter preparations must encompass robust defense packages alongside humanitarian and financial assistance.
Reporting based on coverage first published by BBC News. Read the original report at BBC News.
