Zelensky praises ‘real leaders’ in Europe as his relationship with Trump deteriorates
By Lauren Kent, CNN
(CNN) — European leaders are rallying around Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at a summit on Belgium on Friday, as relations between the United States and Ukraine grow increasingly hostile.
In recent days, the White House has heaped increasing pressure on Zelensky to halt strikes on Russian oil facilities, even as Russia’s attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure continue unabated.
US President Donald Trump blindsided Zelensky and European leaders last week when he struck a deal allowing Russian diesel exports, a move Zelensky said had left him feeling betrayed.
On Sunday, Trump announced that an “energy ceasefire” between Russia and Ukraine had been agreed and was “effective immediately”. However, there was no confirmation from Moscow and Zelensky, while supporting such a ceasefire, indicated he had not known about it in advance.
Flanked by the European Union’s top leaders as he arrived at the summit in Brussels, Zelensky didn’t mention the deterioration in US relations, nor the disruptions to US intelligence sharing and Starshield internet connectivity that Ukraine experienced this week. But he was keen to emphasize the strength of his relationship 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 said as he walked into the summit.
“Of course we want to end this war as quick as possible. We don’t see now signals from the Russian side that they are ready for this, to end this war, that’s why we have to prepare for the winter,” the Ukrainian president said, adding that “energy needs” are at the top of his agenda.
“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,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said.
Zelensky added: “It’s not only energy, it’s also air defense and fundings. And I am thankful that (the) EU stands with us,” Zelensky said.
Amid a challenging week diplomatically, Ukraine has also run out of missiles for the US-made Patriot air defense system, leaving it more vulnerable to Russian ballistic missile attacks, a source familiar with the situation told CNN on Thursday.
CNN’s Victoria Butenko and Daria Tarasova-Markina contributed to this report.
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