Zelensky seeks European support as US ties deteriorate
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sought support from European allies in Brussels on Thursday after declaring Kyiv would no longer comply with US President Donald Trump's demands to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries, amid deteriorating US-Ukraine relations. Zelensky met NATO chief Mark Rutte and held bilateral talks with European leaders before an EU summit, while France's Emmanuel Macron and Poland's Donald Tusk voiced strong backing. The rift follows Trump easing sanctions on Russia and reported US threats to withdraw intelligence-sharing over the refinery strikes. Ukraine has also faced outages to the US-provided Starshield satellite system, hampering its defense against Russian bombardments. The Kremlin accused Kyiv of derailing US peace efforts, while residents in Kyiv expressed frustration over blackouts and shifting Washington attitudes.