BRUSSELS, October 17, 2026 — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised European allies as real leaders at a summit in Belgium on Friday while relations with US President Donald Trump continued to deteriorate over energy policy and military support.
Summit Praise Amid US Tensions
Zelensky expressed gratitude for the backing of the EU Council, Commission, and its leaders during his arrival at the summit. He stated that this support has remained with Ukraine since the very beginning of the war. The President emphasized the strength of these ties as he walked into the event flanked by top European officials.
European leaders are rallying around Zelensky after the White House exerted pressure on Kyiv to halt strikes on Russian oil facilities. This diplomatic friction has intensified following recent developments involving fuel supplies and US domestic politics.
The Energy Ceasefire Dispute
Ukraine halted its attacks on Russian oil refineries for three days after Trump announced an energy ceasefire between the two nations on Sunday. However, Kyiv resumed strikes immediately because Russia did not reciprocate these restrictions. US officials indicated that soaring global diesel prices were a primary concern for the administration ahead of next month’s midterm elections.
Zelensky criticized the deal allowing Russian diesel exports to the US and global market, stating it left him feeling betrayed. He noted in an interview with Fox News that diesel prices do not depend on attacks on Russian facilities but rather on the blocking of the Strait of Hormuz by Houthi forces.
Trump blindsided European leaders last week when he struck this deal without prior consultation. Officials confirmed that the move was intended to ease fuel costs before the November elections, even as Russia continued its own attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure unabated.
Personal Attacks and Walkbacks
On Thursday, Trump lashed out at Zelensky in an interview with Newsmax, saying he found him more difficult to deal with than Vladimir Putin. The President added that he was not a big fan of Zelensky and claimed Ukraine had been destroyed. He also stated that the war would end soon but maintained his view on the difficulty of dealing with Kyiv.
The following day, Trump walked back these comments during a press conference at the White House. He told reporters there that he had a good relationship with his Ukrainian counterpart and clarified that he wanted Zelensky to settle the war. This reversal came after a reporter asked if the President was using Ukraine as a scapegoat for problems ahead of the midterms.
Zelensky paused for a moment during a press conference Friday before smiling and responding to questions about Trump’s stance. He did not explicitly confirm the accusation but implied the situation reflected poorly on US leadership.
Starlink Disruptions and Logistics
Difficulties for Kyiv have mounted this week with reports of restrictions on Starshield, the military-grade version of Elon Musk’s Starlink internet service. Zelensky noted that while operations had improved, they had not yet been fully restored to previous speeds. He explained that the military relies on Starlink-equipped drones to deliver food and water to troops on the frontline at high speed.
Zelensky stated that these disruptions compromised the protection of the civilian population and troubled his administration significantly. Trump denied involvement in the issue, telling reporters he did not slow down the service and believed it was operating at normal capacity.
The President said it was not him or Elon Musk responsible for the situation. He added that from what he understood, the speed restrictions were non-existent or minimal compared to previous reports.
Strategic Context for Winter
Zelensky told reporters in Brussels that Ukraine must prepare for winter because there are no signals from the Russian side indicating readiness to end the war. He emphasized that ending the conflict quickly remains a goal, yet current conditions suggest prolonged hostilities ahead.
The President argued that gifts to Putin will not bring peace or any benefit to the world. He warned that Russia would repay diesel supplies with further terror if the West continues to facilitate energy transfers without reciprocal action.
Zelensky maintained that the support from European partners is crucial for Ukraine’s survival and defense efforts. The summit highlighted a clear divergence between US policy priorities and those of the EU Council regarding the ongoing conflict.
Sources
- Zelensky praises ‘real leaders’ in Europe as his relationship with Trump deteriorates | CNN
- Zelensky praises ‘real leaders’ in Europe with Trump relationship strained
- Putin the real winner as bitter Zelensky-Trump feud deepens
Photo: Molly Riley (Public domain (US government work))
