Zelenskyy, at Odds with Trump, Makes Desperate Plea to Europe

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whose relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump has hit rock bottom, has turned to Europe, his last reliable ally, to seek depleting weapons and financial aid.

Invited to the European Union (EU) summit in Brussels, Belgium, on the 16th (local time), President Zelenskyy met with leaders of the 27 EU member states and top EU officials to share the situation of the war in Ukraine—which will mark its full five years in February next year—and appealed for European support.

Arriving at the meeting venue, President Zelenskyy told reporters, "We want to end this war as soon as possible, but there are currently no signs that Russia is ready to end the war," adding, "For this reason, we must prepare for this coming winter."

He added that "(Ukraine's) winter support needs include not only energy, but also air defense systems and financial assistance," noting that the meeting would discuss Ukraine's requirements for the remainder of the year and into next year.

Zelenskyy's visit to Brussels comes amid a peak in friction between Kyiv and Washington, sparked after President Trump criticized Ukraine's resumption of airstrikes on Russian oil refineries as a "disgrace," despite Trump's pressure.

Tensions escalated after President Trump, anxious over public discontent driven by rising oil prices ahead of midterm elections, recently made a surprise announcement of a "diesel deal" with Russian President Vladimir Putin to supply Russian diesel to the U.S. and global markets, followed by his unilateral declaration of an "energy truce"—prompting public backlash from President Zelenskyy.

Unfazed by the backlash, President Trump has further escalated pressure by mentioning the need to replace the Ukrainian president and suspending military intelligence support to Ukraine.

British daily Financial Times reported the previous day that European leaders are inwardly perplexed by President Zelenskyy openly defying President Trump in this manner and intend to ask him to exercise restraint.

Before entering the formal meeting, European leaders expressed full support for Ukraine, which faces internal and external difficulties from intense Russian missile and drone attacks as well as pressure from the United States.

Standing alongside President Zelenskyy, Antonio Costa, President of the European Council, told reporters, "This is not the time to withdraw support for Ukraine or ease sanctions against Russia; rather, it is time to expand support for Ukraine and increase pressure on Russia," indirectly criticizing President Trump's recent actions and reaffirming support for President Zelenskyy.

Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs told Bloomberg TV in an interview, "The only allies left for Zelenskyy now are the Europeans. The most important issue to discuss today is what he needs to survive this winter. Everything depends on this winter," making it clear that the top agenda of the meeting would be ways to support Ukraine.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.