{
  "id": 14981312,
  "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",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-16T15:37:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/world/20261017/zelensky-drums-up-european-backing-as-trump-ties-slump"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Brussels, Belgium - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged European Union leaders to provide Ukraine with an additional $80 billion in funding for the coming year, as tensions mounted over his ongoing conflict with US President Donald Trump. The Ukrainian leader's relationship with Trump has deteriorated significantly following the latter's decision to ease sanctions on Russia in exchange for supplying diesel fuel. Trump dismissed Kyiv's actions as a \"disgrace\" and suggested that it was simpler to negotiate with Russian President Vladimir Putin than with Zelensky, following the latter's order to resume strikes on Russian refineries.\n\nDuring a press conference following his talks with EU leaders in Brussels, Zelensky defended his country's interests exclusively. When asked if he was being scapegoated for Trump's domestic troubles ahead of the US midterms, Zelensky remained silent for a prolonged moment before smiling and responding, \"This is my answer.\"\n\nThe recent rift between Trump and Zelensky has heightened fears that the US leader may be aligning himself with Moscow. These concerns have been amplified by disruptions to a crucial US-provided satellite system.",
  "summary": "BRUSSELS, Belgium — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged EU leaders Friday to keep financing Kyiv's fight with nearly $80 billion more next year, as he insisted he was standing up for his country amid a fresh row with US President Donald Trump. Kyiv's ties with Trump have nosedived after the US leader eased sanctions on Russia as part of a deal to supply diesel. Trump branded Kyiv's…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 8,
    "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": "Meduza (English)",
        "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",
        "published": "2026-10-16T14:48:38.000Z"
      },
      {
        "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"
      },
      {
        "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-14985392",
        "published": "2026-10-16T15:57:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}