Key Takeaways
- Ukrainian President Zelenskiy criticized US President Trump’s diesel deal with Russia.
- Zelenskiy welcomed European allies’ involvement in peace talks.
- Attacks on Ukrainian cities by Russian drones continue, causing civilian casualties.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has strongly criticized US President Donald Trump’s recent diesel deal with Russia, describing it as a move that would benefit Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war efforts.
Speaking at a European Union summit in Brussels, Zelenskiy stated that the deal would only put more money into Putin’s pocket, adding that it would not offset the impact of the Strait of Hormuz on global markets.
Zelenskiy also accused Putin of not being genuinely interested in peace talks, calling Moscow’s stance a “parody” of peace negotiations.
During the summit, Zelenskiy pointedly referred to his counterparts as “real leaders,” emphasizing Ukraine’s determination to maintain its stance against Russia.
The Ukrainian President highlighted ongoing disruptions to the SpaceX Starshield satellite system, which is crucial for battlefield operations, and noted that Ukraine was still experiencing attacks from Russian drones, including a recent strike in Kharkiv that killed three people.
EU leaders rallied behind Zelenskiy after Trump criticized Ukraine, calling its strikes on Russian refineries a “disgrace.”
Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal, speaking at the summit, suggested that the EU might need to provide a new loan to Ukraine to help cover its budget gap for the upcoming year, given the ongoing war’s significant financial impact.
The latest attacks in Ukraine, including Russian drone strikes, have left hundreds of thousands of people without power, highlighting the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
Zelenskiy’s tone at the summit indicated his intention to continue his tough stance towards the US, despite the challenging situation for Ukraine.
This diesel deal will never be enough to offset the impact of the Strait of Hormuz on global markets. But it will put more money straight into Putin’s pocket to fund this war.
Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Ukrainian President
