Zelenski thanks from Brussels to have the support of "real leaders" in full dispute with Trump

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Brussels on Friday to attend the final day of the European Union summit, where he received explicit pledges of continued military and financial support from European leaders. His visit occurred amidst a sharp diplomatic rift with United States President Donald Trump, who has recently authorized the sale of Russian diesel fuel in America and criticized Kyiv’s strikes on Russian refineries. Standing alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa, Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for the backing of what he termed "real leaders" who have supported Ukraine since the start of the war. He stated that the current situation requires robust preparation for the upcoming winter, citing a lack of signs indicating Russia intends to halt its invasion. The dispute between Washington and Kyiv intensified last week when Trump unilaterally lifted sanctions on Russian oil exports and agreed to purchase diesel from Moscow following a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This move followed Trump’s declaration of an "energy ceasefire" on Sunday, during which he accused Zelenskyy of driving up global oil prices through attacks on Russian refineries. While Ukraine reportedly complied with this demand for three days, Russian forces continued striking Ukrainian energy facilities. On Wednesday, a US official indicated that Washington was also considering easing restrictions on Russia’s shadow fleet, comprising unflagged tankers used to transport illicit oil. Furthermore, according to officials in Kyiv, the United States reduced the volume of intelligence shared with Ukraine and restricted access to satellite internet services via Starlink. In response to these developments, European leaders reaffirmed their commitment to Kyiv. Costa declared that it was not the time to withdraw support or relax sanctions against Russia. Instead, he argued that increasing pressure on Moscow was essential to force compliance with any potential truce. Von der Leyen echoed this sentiment, stating that the EU would not lift any sanctions until Russia ended the war. She noted that despite supporting the concept of an energy truce proposed by Trump, Russia had violated it immediately and intensified its attacks on energy and water infrastructure. Consequently, the EU is currently working on a 22nd package of economic and financial sanctions against Moscow. Zelenskyy outlined specific needs for the coming months during his address. He emphasized that preparing for winter involves more than just securing energy supplies; it also requires enhanced air defense capabilities and substantial financial resources. He informed the assembly that Ukraine faces significant budgetary gaps for 2027. Although the EU established a loan facility worth 90 billion euros for 2026 and 2027 last year, Ukrainian Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko reported earlier this month that the country lacks $32.6 billion in economic support and $45 billion in defense aid. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated on Thursday that Europe must increase its contributions to help Ukraine sustain its defense efforts. The summit agenda included discussions on Ukraine’s path toward EU membership. Leaders announced their intention to open the remaining negotiation clusters before the end of the year. Costa praised the Ukrainian parliament for continuing to fulfill commitments, negotiate, and implement reforms despite the ongoing conflict. He congratulated Zelenskyy on the progress made in accession talks, noting that two new negotiation groups had opened just days prior. Von der Leyen highlighted that the expansion of negotiations serves as a signal that Ukraine’s reform efforts are yielding results. Trump’s rhetoric toward Zelenskyy has grown increasingly hostile in recent weeks. The US President described Zelenskyy as "not a nice guy to deal with" and suggested that Ukraine needed a new president. He further stated that if an agreement is reached between Ukraine and Russia, it would not happen while Zelenskyy holds power. These comments stand in contrast to the unified front presented by European officials in Brussels. The EU leadership framed their presence as a message to observers that the bloc’s support remains firm, even as US foreign policy shifts create uncertainty for Kyiv. Von der Leyen addressed the media by contrasting the EU’s stance with that of the United States. She asserted that the European Union stands with Ukraine because Russia continues to attempt to destroy critical infrastructure. She warned that lifting sanctions prematurely would undermine the pressure necessary to end the conflict. The joint statement served as a direct rebuttal to Trump’s recent actions, which include criticizing Kyiv’s targeting of Russian energy assets as a "disgrace." The European leaders maintained that their strategy relies on sustained pressure rather than concessions, aiming to isolate Russia economically while bolstering Ukraine’s defensive capabilities. As the summit concluded, attention turned to the implementation of the promised support measures. The focus remained on bridging the financial gap identified by Ukrainian officials and advancing the technical aspects of EU accession. The political climate in Brussels was defined by a determination to counterbalance the shifting dynamics in Washington. Leaders stressed that the integrity of the sanctions regime against Russia depended on collective resolve, particularly in light of unilateral moves by the United States to engage commercially with Moscow. The outcome of the summit reinforced the EU’s role as a primary pillar of support for Ukraine during this period of heightened tension with its traditional ally.