Zelensky Applauds European Allies Amidst Strained Relations with Trump

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky lauded Europe's "real leaders" at a summit in Belgium on Friday, delivering a subtle critique of US President Donald Trump amidst growing tensions between Kyiv and Washington. European nations are showing solidarity with Zelensky as the White House has pressured Ukraine to cease attacks on Russian oil facilities, even as Russia's assaults on Ukrainian energy infrastructure persist.

Ukraine temporarily halted strikes on Russian oil refineries for three days following Trump's unexpected announcement of an "energy ceasefire" between the two nations. However, Ukraine has since resumed these attacks, citing Russia's failure to reciprocate. Trump, who is reportedly keen for global diesel prices to decrease before the upcoming midterm elections, surprised European leaders last week by brokering a deal that permits Russian diesel exports. Zelensky described this move as leaving him feeling betrayed.

The US president has attributed the surge in fuel prices to the Ukraine-Russia war, seemingly aiming to divert attention from his deeply unpopular war in Iran. On Thursday, Trump reiterated his criticism of Zelensky in an interview with Newsmax, stating he found the Ukrainian president "more difficult to deal with than Putin." The following day, he appeared to backtrack, claiming a "good" relationship with his Ukrainian counterpart. "I want him to do one thing," Trump told reporters at the White House. "Settle the war," he added.

As Zelensky arrived at the Brussels summit on Friday, accompanied by top EU leaders, he did not directly address the deteriorating US relations. Instead, he emphasized the strength of his ties with the EU. "I’m so thankful that we have such huge support from (the) EU Council, Commission and leaders – real leaders – so that they stay with us from the very beginning of this war," Zelensky remarked upon entering the summit.

Starlink Services Not Fully Restored

Kyiv has faced mounting challenges this week, including reported restrictions on Starshield, the military-grade version of Elon Musk's Starlink internet service. Zelensky stated on Friday that while Starlink operations have improved, they have not yet been fully restored. "They disrupted logistics and compromised the protection of the civilian population. That’s why this is very troubling," Zelensky said, explaining the military's reliance on Starlink-equipped drones for delivering essential supplies to frontline troops.

Trump, on Friday, denied any involvement in the Starlink disruption. "I didn’t do that. No, we didn’t do that at all. It wasn’t me, and I don’t think it was Elon (Musk). And from what I understand, it’s the same as it’s always been," he told reporters. Trump also expressed uncertainty about any speed restrictions on Ukraine's use of Starshield, adding, "I don’t even think it was slowed down. But from what I understand… We didn’t slow it down at all. And I think it’s probably functioning." Earlier in the week, Musk indicated that decisions regarding Starshield were up to the US president, though a senior US official informed CNN that Trump had made no such request.

The Ukrainian government reported on Tuesday that it did not receive its customary early warning from the US before a Russian ballistic missile struck a major power plant in Kyiv and damaged a residential building. Trump, however, maintained that the United States had not ceased intelligence sharing with Ukraine.

Amidst a difficult diplomatic week, Ukraine has also depleted its supply of missiles for the US-made Patriot air defense system, a source familiar with the situation revealed to CNN on Thursday. "It’s an open secret that we are not a priority destination for these missiles now," Zelensky commented at Friday's news conference, noting that most Patriot interceptors are currently being dispatched to the Middle East. He expressed gratitude, however, to European nations "who are financing all of this," as well as to NATO and the White House.

Silence Speaks Volumes

When a reporter inquired whether Trump was using Ukraine as a scapegoat for his domestic issues, such as high fuel prices and the ongoing Iran war, Zelensky paused for a significant 15 seconds. With a smile, he responded to the silent room: "This is my answer." Earlier, the Ukrainian president mentioned that his team was in continuous communication with US negotiators and planned to arrange a meeting in the coming days. "We will keep living, fighting, and most importantly, living with dignity," he affirmed. "When the quality of life is so terrible during wartime, maintaining dignity is a very important thing."

EU leaders indicated they are preparing a new sanctions package against Russia, marking the 22nd such package since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In contrast to the Trump administration's approach, they emphasized that sanctions against Moscow would be intensified unless Putin ceases the war. "We supported President Trump’s energy ceasefire, but we’ve seen that Russia did not respect it – not a single minute. Instead, Russia escalated, and therefore we have to increase the pressure on Russia," stated European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Trump announced on Friday that he would waive several sanctions related to Russia, just days before they were scheduled to take effect under a bill he signed into law last month. This legislation would have imposed tariffs of up to 100% on goods imported into the US from the five largest importers of Russian crude oil or gas, sales crucial for funding the Kremlin's war efforts. These measures were part of the Graham Act, named after former Senator Lindsey Graham, a prominent Russia hawk who passed away in July.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov commented earlier on Friday that Zelensky "has no desire" for a peaceful resolution, adding, "on that point, we are in complete agreement with President Trump." In a visit to a military command post in an undisclosed location, Putin vowed to continue the war. "In response to strikes by the Kyiv authorities against our industrial and fuel-and-energy sector facilities, the Russian Armed Forces continue to carry out strikes against Ukraine’s military-industrial complex and infrastructure facilities," Putin stated, according to a video released by the Kremlin on Friday. The video depicts Putin in military uniform greeting senior Russian commanders.