Zelenskiy Condemns US-Russian Diesel Deal, Backs Bigger European Role in Peace Talks
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy condemned a US-Russian diesel deal as funding Moscow's war effort and welcomed a larger European role in peace negotiations, calling European allies "real leaders" during an EU summit in Brussels on Friday. Zelenskiy accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of lacking genuine interest in peace talks, calling Moscow's stance a "parody." Putin, visiting a command post, declared a "security zone" inside Ukraine as non-negotiable. EU leaders rallied behind Zelenskiy after US President Donald Trump criticized Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries as a "disgrace." Trump denied responsibility for reduced Starlink service to Ukraine and said his relationship with Zelenskiy was good. Ukraine struck a Russian refinery Thursday after abandoning a US-announced energy ceasefire, with Trump blaming such attacks for higher oil prices ahead of US midterm elections.