Zelensky says Ukraine has right to defend itself after Trump calls latest strikes a 'disgrace'
President Volodymyr Zelensky is rallying European Union support after Donald Trump called Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries a disgrace. Trump claims Zelensky is more difficult to deal with than Putin and argues that the refinery attacks are driving up energy prices. Zelensky responded that he is standing up solely for the interests of the Ukrainian people, asserting that Ukraine has the right to defend itself after being attacked and occupied. EU leaders in Brussels have pledged continued support for Kyiv as the relationship between the Ukrainian president and the US leader deteriorates.
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- ✓ Donald Trump described Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries as a disgrace.
- ✓ Trump stated that Zelensky is more difficult to deal with than Putin.
- ✓ EU leaders pledged support for Zelensky during a summit in Brussels.
- ✓ Zelensky stated he is standing up for the interests of Ukraine and its people.
What changed
Zelensky used an EU summit in Brussels to secure European backing after Trump criticized Ukrainian refinery strikes and compared him unfavorably to Putin.
Live updates
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Zelensky Defends Ukraine Interests Amid Growing Conflict With Trump
President Volodymyr Zelensky is rallying European Union support after Donald Trump called Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries a disgrace. Trump claims Zelensky is more difficult to deal with than Putin and argues that the refinery attacks are driving up energy prices. Zelensky responded that he is standing up solely for the interests of the Ukrainian people, asserting that Ukraine has the right to defend itself after being attacked and occupied. EU leaders in Brussels have pledged continued support for Kyiv as the relationship between the Ukrainian president and the US leader deteriorates.
Why it matters
The friction follows a claim by Trump that Ukraine and Russia had agreed not to target one another. Zelensky rejected a diesel deal due to concerns it could lead to a gas agreement. This diplomatic split occurs as Ukraine faces ongoing Russian aggression and the potential for 20 million citizens to flee to Europe.
What is confirmed
- Donald Trump described Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries as a disgrace.
- Trump stated that Zelensky is more difficult to deal with than Putin.
- EU leaders pledged support for Zelensky during a summit in Brussels.
- Zelensky stated he is standing up for the interests of Ukraine and its people.
- Trump claimed Ukrainian refinery strikes are pushing up energy prices.
Still unconfirmed
- Trump claimed last weekend that Ukraine and Russia agreed not to target each other.
- Up to 20 million Ukrainians could flee to Europe.
What to watch next
- Official EU policy responses to US backpedaling on Ukraine support
- Further US statements regarding energy price impacts of Ukrainian strikes
- Developments regarding the rejected diesel and gas agreements
confidence 95%Sources used for this update (15)
- BBC — Zelensky rallies EU support as Trump says Ukraine leader 'more difficult to deal with than Putin'
- CNN — Zelensky praises ‘real leaders’ in Europe as his relationship with Trump deteriorates
- Al Jazeera — EU rallies in support of Ukraine amid Trump standoff
- dw.com — Ukrainian President Zelenskyy speaks at EU summit amid spat with Donald Trump
- upi — 'Russia is killing us': 20M Ukrainians could flee to Europe
- dw.com — EU leaders pledge support for Ukraine's Zelenskyy at Brussels summit as US backpedals
- The Guardian — EU’s support to Ukraine matters more than ever, von der Leyen says, as US relationship sours – as it happened
- The Economist — World in Brief: Zelensky rallies European leaders; Bulgaria requests NATO support
- www.bbc.com — Zelensky says Ukraine has right to defend itself after Trump ...
- www.straitstimes.com — EU leaders rally around Zelensky as Trump calls Ukrainian ...
- www.lbc.co.uk — Zelenskyy says Ukraine has 'right to defend itself' after ...
- www.europesays.com — Zelensky says Ukraine has right to defend itself after Trump ...
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