EU leaders rally around Zelenskiy as Trump calls Ukrainian strikes on Russia a ‘disgrace’

European Union leaders showed unwavering support for President Volodymyr Zelenskiy during a summit on Friday, as US President Donald Trump criticized Ukraine's strikes on Russian refineries as a "disgrace." Zelenskiy arrived at the summit amid the ongoing conflict, with missile and drone attacks targeting Ukrainian cities. The US president's announcement last weekend that Ukraine and Russia had agreed not to target each other's energy facilities was dismissed by Zelenskiy, who expressed concern over the lack of signals from Russia to end the war.

The EU is preparing for a harsh winter, with Zelenskiy emphasizing the need for air defense systems and funding. Estonian Prime Minister Kristine Michal warned that the EU might have to provide Ukraine with a new loan to cover its budget gap, which is expected to be significant. While Europe lacks a direct substitute for the SpaceX Starshield satellite system, which Ukraine relies on for military communication, efforts are underway to find long-term solutions.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stressed the importance of Starlink, but admitted that Europe cannot replace it in the short term. US-Ukraine relations remain tense, with Trump's decision to strike a diesel deal with Russia further aggravating tensions.