Zelensky Brussels: Rallies Europe as Trump Ties Slump
The zelensky brussels visit landed at a tense moment on Thursday, as Ukraine’s president arrived in the Belgian capital seeking to rally European support after his latest falling-out with President Donald Trump.
Zelensky said he would meet NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and hold a series of bilateral talks with European leaders before joining an EU summit on Friday. Writing online, he said all of Europe wants the war to end and that ending it requires stronger pressure on Russia and more defense support for Ukraine.
A Rift With Washington Deepens
Relations between Kyiv and Washington have soured since last week, when Trump eased sanctions on Russia in exchange for Moscow releasing large amounts of diesel onto global markets. Anger in Ukraine has also been fueled by disruptions to a critical US-provided satellite communications system that Kyiv says hampered its military’s ability to counter Russian bombardments. Zelensky has urged Elon Musk to restore the Starlink service used on the battlefield.
In a move that risked infuriating Trump, Zelensky said in remarks published Thursday that Ukraine would no longer abide by Washington’s demands not to strike Russian oil refineries — a defiance that follows Ukraine’s resumed attacks on refinery targets. In London the day before, after meeting King Charles III and Prime Minister Andy Burnham, Zelensky said Ukraine still counts on its partnership with the United States. In a separate interview with Piers Morgan, he said it was painful that Trump had chosen one side, and added: “not our side.”
Europe Lines Up Behind Kyiv
European leaders broadly backed Zelensky. French President Emmanuel Macron said it was crucial that Ukraine receive all the means necessary to protect itself. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk posted that Ukraine is not alone. Estonia’s prime minister said the faster Russia’s refineries are destroyed the better, and the Dutch premier said the bloc stood shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine and that Ukrainians must do whatever is necessary to protect their people.
Zelensky thanked the leaders for their support and said he expected decisions and aid packages that would help Ukraine’s defense.
Source: AFP.com / Hindustan Times