{
  "id": 14982207,
  "title": "Asked if Trump is scapegoating him, Zelenskyy just smiles",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/asked-if-trump-is-scapegoating-him-zelenskyy-just-smiles",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-16T15:35:07.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/world/world/2026/10/1557135/asked-if-trump-scapegoating-him-zelenskyy-just-smiles"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "When inquired on Friday whether Donald Trump was using him as a scapegoat for difficulties in the United States, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy merely smiled knowingly and said nothing. This was Zelenskyy's response, as journalists erupted in laughter during a press conference in Brussels following his meeting with EU leaders. Zelenskyy had been questioned about whether Trump was attempting to distract from his own political predicament ahead of the midterms, with the Ukrainian president grappling with the war in Iran and soaring diesel prices. The query arose after Trump stated that he found it easier to work with Russian President Vladimir Putin than with Zelenskyy, as relations with Kyiv had deteriorated. On the previous day, Zelenskyy had reported a thousand drones in Ukraine, but the American side reportedly found it challenging to communicate with Zelenskyy, yet easier to manage with Putin.",
  "summary": "BRUSSELS: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy gave a knowing smile and remained silent on Friday when asked if Donald Trump was scapegoating him for troubles in the US.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 10,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Interfax-Ukraine",
        "title": "Trump criticizes Ukraine's resumption of refinery strikes, calls Zelenskyy difficult negotiator – media",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/trump-criticizes-ukraines-resumption-of-refinery-strikes-calls",
        "published": "2026-10-16T08:43:23.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Guardian US",
        "title": "Trump calls Ukraine’s renewed strikes on Russian oil refineries a ‘disgrace’",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/trump-calls-ukraines-renewed-strikes-on-russian-oil-refineries-a",
        "published": "2026-10-16T09:05:20.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Le Monde English",
        "title": "Zelensky resumes strikes on Russian refineries, Trump brands them 'a disgrace'",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/zelensky-resumes-strikes-on-russian-refineries-trump-brands-them-a",
        "published": "2026-10-16T09:35:38.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Russia strikes 9 Ukrainian regions as strain grows between Zelenskyy and Trump",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/russia-strikes-9-ukrainian-regions-as-strain-grows-between-zelenskyy",
        "published": "2026-10-16T10:11:18.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "People Daily Kenya",
        "title": "Trump calls Ukraine’s renewed strikes on Russian oil refineries a ‘disgrace’",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/trump-calls-ukraines-renewed-strikes-on-russian-oil-refineries-a-14933265",
        "published": "2026-10-16T10:15:12.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Euronews",
        "title": "Russia strikes nine Ukrainian regions as strain grows between Zelenskyy and Trump",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/russia-strikes-nine-ukrainian-regions-as-strain-grows-between",
        "published": "2026-10-16T10:58:57.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Maverick",
        "title": "EU leaders rally around Zelenskiy as Trump calls Ukrainian strikes on Russia a ‘disgrace’",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/eu-leaders-rally-around-zelenskiy-as-trump-calls-ukrainian-strikes-on",
        "published": "2026-10-16T11:12:54.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "CBC News",
        "title": "EU debate Ukraine funding, as Zelenskyy's relations with the Trump administration ebb again",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/eu-debate-ukraine-funding-as-zelenskyys-relations-with-the-trump",
        "published": "2026-10-16T11:23:45.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Voice of Ukraine",
        "title": "Danish PM Frederiksen rejects Trump's claim that Putin is easier to deal with than Zelenskyy",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/danish-pm-frederiksen-rejects-trumps-claim-that-putin-is-easier-to",
        "published": "2026-10-16T13:09:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}