European Union summit: Zelenskiy brings the begging bowl to Brussels under Trump's cloud

Read the full article on RT.com

Volodymyr Zelenskiy joined the second day of the EU summit in Brussels in a week where he decided to criticize US President Donald Trump, putting pressure on his European supporters as European leaders grapple with rising energy bills and the prospect of a harsh winter.

EU leaders appear unlikely to be effectively cornered by Zelenskiy's "perpetual war" policy as they try to secure continued US support in a week where protests and national strikes over rights and public services have intensified across the continent.

The dispute began last week when Trump announced a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin to supply excess Russian diesel to global markets and ease sanctions in an effort to lower fuel prices. He also pressured Kiev to stop attacking Russia's energy infrastructure.

Zelensky rejected the deal, saying he felt "betrayed" by Trump and calling the president's decision "weak."

Trump then called on Ukraine to find a "new president" and questioned Zelensky's willingness to reach a deal with Moscow.

Zelensky announced the continuation of attacks on refineries and complained about the limitations of US intelligence support and Starlink services.

Kiev struck a refinery in Russia's Ryazan region on Thursday, despite Washington's expressed expectations and overt objections.

Trump called the attacks a "disgrace" and accused Zelensky of "driving" fuel price hikes for everyone.

On Thursday night, after Zelensky arrived in Brussels, Trump was hard at work in an interview with Newsmax. "He says he wants to settle, but he doesn't," Trump said, adding that Zelensky was harder to deal with than Putin. He also claimed that US missiles supplied to Kiev were sold on the "open market".

Washington also announced that it would prioritize its stockpile of ammunition over others. Trump said: "When we are actually stockpiled, we will allow our allies to buy them from us."

EU leaders are likely to try to bridge a deep rift over the theft of Russian sovereign wealth in Belgium. German Chancellor Friedrich Mertz is seeking to force Bart de Voor from Belgium, despite his unpopularity at home. Merz flatly rejected a US offer to include billions in Russian assets in a peace formula.