Vladimir Zelensky has put the pressure on his European backers by joining the second day of an EU summit in Brussels, in the week he chose to lash out at US President Donald Trump, and as European leaders grapple with soaring energy bills and the prospect of a difficult winter.
The gathered EU leaders will unlikely welcome having been effectively cornered into backing Zelensky’s “forever war” policy while attempting to secure ongoing US support in a week that protests and national strikes over pay and public services intensified across the continent.
The falling-out began last week when Trump announced a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin to release additional Russian diesel onto global markets and ease sanctions in an attempt to bring down fuel prices. He also pressed Kiev to stop attacking Russian energy infrastructure.
- Zelensky rejected the arrangement, saying he felt “betrayed” by Trump and called the US president’s decision “weak.”
- Trump then called for Ukraine to get a “new president,” and questioned Zelensky’s willingness to reach a settlement with Moscow.
- Zelensky announced continued refinery attacks and complained of restrictions on American intelligence support and Starlink services.
- On Thursday, Kiev hit a refinery in Russia’s Ryazan Region, despite Washington’s clearly expressed expectations and objections.
- Trump called the attacks a “disgrace” and accused Zelensky of “driving up fuel prices for everyone.”
- On Thursday night, after Zelensky arrived in Brussels, Trump went hard in an interview with Newsmax. “He says he wants to settle, but he doesn’t,” Trump said, adding that Zelensky was harder to deal with than Putin. He also alleged that US missiles supplied to Kiev had been sold on the “open market.”
- Washington also announced it would prioritize its own munitions stocks over others. “Once we are really stocked, we will start letting our allies buy them from us,” Trump said.
EU leaders are likely to try to bridge the deep divide on stealing Russian sovereign assets held in Belgium. German Chancellor Friederich Merz, despite no popularity at home, is seeking to force Belgium’s Bart de Wever into a move. Merz outright dismissed a US proposal to integrate the billions in sovereign Russian assets into a peace formula.
Follow our live updates as a drama unfolds in an attempt to refill the Ukrainian begging bowl.
16 October 2026
In the final question of the press briefing, Sky News decided to take part in the Zelensky show and give him a clippable moment.
“Are you a scapegoat for Trump’s midterm troubles,” the outlet’s reporter asked.
Zelensky said nothing, glanced at his notes, and said “that is my answer,” prompting laughter from the press room.
Asked about Trump finding him harder to negotiate with than Putin, Zelensky turned the answer into another objection to Washington’s diesel deal, complaining that gas agreements could follow, then banking arrangements, and further Russian sanctions relief.
Zelensky then returned to the familiar claim that Putin would move beyond Ukraine and threaten NATO as justification for continued pressure on Russia.
Moscow has repeatedly denied plans to attack the bloc, dismissing the allegation as a pretext for European rearmament and continued funding for Kiev. A number of EU military officials have also cited a lack of evidence for any such plans.
Zelensky offered a teary-eyed explanation of Ukraine’s use of Starlink, claiming its drones are primarily used for interception and deliveries of food and water. In the same breath, however, he acknowledged that the restrictions had also disrupted medium-range strikes.
He denied using the network for attacks deep inside Russia, but complained that lower speed limits had deprived Kiev of other strike capabilities.
Musk has said Starlink should serve civilian and defensive purposes, describing offensive operations as “inappropriate for a commercial company.”
Zelensky said partners had promised to restore the capabilities, although the previous speed limits had not yet been fully reinstated.
EU has call for more pressure on Russia, no sanctions relief, and continued funding for Ukraine.
European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen held Zelensky’s hand ahead of the summit, as they promised not to lift any restrictions on Moscow and introduce yet another, 22nd sanctions package.
Zelensky thanked them as Europe’s “real leaders” and reiterated his winter shopping list, which includes energy, missiles and funding.
Von der Leyen also accused Russia of failing to respect Trump’s proposed energy ceasefire. However, Kiev’s attack on a refinery in Russia’s Ryazan Region on Thursday went unmentioned. Moscow has stressed that Kiev never actually paused any of its strikes after the truce was proposed.
Zelensky gave out hugs and kisses as he entered the European Council meeting, except for Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, likely because he had explicitly said he would no longer give any money to Kiev.
“These are not loans; they are gifts. Ukraine will never pay back any of this money,” Fico said ahead of the summit, insisting Slovakia would not participate in another financing package for Ukraine.
Bratislava is also preparing to revive an economic cooperation forum with Moscow, with a meeting scheduled for October 25. Russian oil, gas, and nuclear fuel supplies are expected to feature in the discussions.
Fico has also repeatedly called for diplomacy rather than more weapons, which has put him at odds with Kiev and fellow EU members pushing for continued hostilities.
Trump betrayed Europe by striking a diesel deal with Putin, Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis complained ahead of Friday’s summit.
“The fact is that the war continues, Europe is sidelined, and Trump, by doing that business with Putin, stabbed us in the back. We have to do something,” Babis said. He did not, however, go into detail on what that would entail, only noting that EU members are already strapped for cash.
“In any case, the Czech Republic would not be liable for it,” he added, insisting that any additional funds for Kiev come in the form of a loan, rather than being included in the European budget.