{
  "id": 14976002,
  "title": "Asked whether Trump is making him a scapegoat for his own low approval ratings, Zelensky simply smiled",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/asked-whether-trump-is-making-him-a-scapegoat-for-his-own-low",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-16T14:48:38.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Meduza (English)",
    "slug": "meduza-english",
    "url": "https://meduza.io/en/news/2026/10/16/asked-whether-trump-is-making-him-a-scapegoat-for-his-own-low-approval-ratings-zelensky-simply-smiled"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "When a Sky News reporter asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky if he believed U.S. President Donald Trump was using him as a scapegoat for his own low approval ratings, Zelensky remained silent for a few seconds before smiling pointedly. His silence and subsequent smile earned laughs from other reporters present, to which he responded, “This is my answer.” The news conference had already covered Zelensky's mention of the Starlink service in Ukraine not being fully restored and a \"significant shortage\" of Patriot missiles. Ukraine had requested additional interceptors from the United States to cover the period of refraining from striking oil refineries in Russia, but the request was denied. Donald Trump had been urging Ukraine to stop striking these refineries, arguing that they were driving up global diesel prices, not the closure of the Strait of Hormuz resulting from the war the U.S. and Israel had begun against Iran. Despite this pressure, Ukraine agreed to the suspension on the condition that Russia would reduce its attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure, which did not transpire. Three days into this ceasefire, Ukraine's armed forces reportedly resumed their strikes.",
  "summary": "Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky declined to discuss his relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump at a news conference in Brussels.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 7,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Al Majalla English",
        "title": "Diesel-gate widens Trump and Zelensky rift",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/diesel-gate-widens-trump-and-zelensky-rift",
        "published": "2026-10-16T11:48:37.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "People Daily Kenya",
        "title": "Zelensky seeks EU support as Trump says he is tougher than Putin",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/zelensky-seeks-eu-support-as-trump-says-he-is-tougher-than-putin",
        "published": "2026-10-16T12:17:10.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Kyiv Independent",
        "title": "'Gas deals will follow' — Zelensky warns Trump could ease more sanctions on Russia",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/gas-deals-will-follow-zelensky-warns-trump-could-ease-more-sanctions",
        "published": "2026-10-16T13:15:36.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Hill",
        "title": "Trump: Zelensky 'not a good guy for us to deal with'",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/trump-zelensky-not-a-good-guy-for-us-to-deal-with",
        "published": "2026-10-16T13:40:30.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Zelensky drums up European backing as Trump ties slump",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/zelensky-drums-up-european-backing-as-trump-ties-slump",
        "published": "2026-10-16T15:37:02.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "France 24",
        "title": "Zelensky hails \"real leaders\" in Europe, blasts Trump's diesel deal with Russia",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/zelensky-hails-real-leaders-in-europe-blasts-trumps-diesel-deal-with",
        "published": "2026-10-16T15:40:54.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}