Zelensky rallies EU support as Trump criticizes Ukrainian leader
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Zelensky rallies EU support as Trump says Ukraine leader 'more difficult to deal with than Putin'
Image source: Reuters
Image caption: Zelensky arrived at a summit in Brussels with European Council President António Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen
By Tiffany Wertheimer
Published 8 minutes ago
US President Donald Trump has renewed his sharp criticism of Volodymyr Zelensky, stating that the Ukrainian leader is "more difficult to deal with than [Russian President Vladimir] Putin".
Speaking to US media on Thursday evening, Trump also denounced Ukraine's recent wave of strikes on Russian oil refineries as "a disgrace".
Zelensky, in Brussels for a summit with EU leaders, had temporarily halted the strikes at Trump's request for a ceasefire on energy targets. However, he resumed them on Thursday, citing Russia's lack of compliance with the pause.
Meanwhile, deadly attacks on Ukraine continued overnight, with multiple fatalities reported in a Russian drone strike on the northeastern city of Kharkiv, according to regional governor Oleg Synegubov. At least 14 people were injured.
Zelensky has remained silent on Trump's latest comments. Accompanied by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa, Zelensky attended the summit in Brussels.
"Of course we supported President Trump's energy ceasefire but we've seen that Russia did not respect it, not a single minute," Von der Leyen told reporters. "Russia escalated and therefore we have to increase sanctions on Russia... We will not lift any sanctions unless Russia stops the war."
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