EU leaders back Zelensky as friction grows with US over diesel deal and oil strikes

President Volodymyr Zelensky defended his actions at an EU summit in Brussels, stating he is only standing up for Ukraine's interests after Donald Trump called Kyiv's recent strikes on Russian oil refineries a disgrace. Trump recently made a deal with Moscow to import 300,000 tonnes of diesel to lower US fuel prices ahead of next month's mid-term elections, following a war with Iran that started in February. Trump claimed Zelensky is more difficult to deal with than Vladimir Putin and accused him of driving up world oil prices.

Summit and Funding

At the summit on Friday, EU leaders rallied around Zelensky in support. Zelensky told the European Council that next year's war will cost 155 billion euros, with at least 70 billion euros needed from the EU for weapons and defence. He added that while Ukraine can produce up to three times more drones, it lacks the money to do so, and faces a chronic shortage of US-made Patriot missiles.

Tensions and Infrastructure

Tensions between Washington and Kyiv have also risen due to curbs on Ukraine's battlefield satellite network, Starlink. Zelensky called the internet slowdown on Tuesday night a very dangerous and unpleasant surprise that coincided with deadly Russian strikes. Trump is frustrated because Ukraine's refinery strikes threaten the diesel deal, while Kyiv argues the agreement puts money straight into Putin's pocket to fund the war.

Context

International leaders often face sharp disagreements over military strategy and economic priorities during prolonged conflicts. Such friction highlights the difficult balance between domestic political pressures in partner nations and the urgent survival needs of a country under invasion.