Zelensky rallies EU support as Trump says Ukraine leader 'more difficult to deal with than Putin'
US President Donald Trump has criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, calling him difficult to deal with and labeling Ukraine's strikes on Russian oil refineries a disgrace. Meanwhile, Zelensky continues to seek EU support as Russian attacks on Ukraine persist.
Why it matters
The cooling relationship between the US and Ukraine could significantly impact the trajectory of the ongoing war and international aid efforts.
Image source, Reuters Image caption, Zelensky arrived at a summit in Brussels with European Council President António Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen
US President Donald Trump has renewed his sharp criticism of Volodymyr Zelensky, saying the Ukrainian leader is "more difficult to deal with than [Russian President Vladimir] Putin".
Speaking to US media on Thursday evening, Trump also called Ukraine's fresh wave of strikes on Russian oil refineries a "disgrace".
Zelensky, who is in Brussels for a summit with EU leaders, had paused the attacks for three days at Trump's request for a ceasefire on energy targets, but said on Thursday the strikes would resume because Moscow had never stopped.
Meanwhile, deadly attacks on Ukraine continued overnight, with several people killed in a Russian drone strike in the north-eastern city of Kharkiv, the regional governor said.
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