European leaders back Zelensky as tensions with Trump grow

European leaders reaffirmed their support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday, as tensions between Kyiv and Washington deepened over Ukraine’s attacks on Russian oil facilities and Moscow’s continued strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure.

European leaders reaffirmed their support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday, as tensions between Kyiv and Washington deepened over Ukraine’s attacks on Russian oil facilities and Moscow’s continued strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure.

The White House has urged Ukraine to halt attacks on Russian oil facilities, while Kyiv says Moscow has continued targeting its energy infrastructure despite US President Donald Trump’s proposed “energy ceasefire”.

After suspending strikes on Russian oil refineries for three days at Washington’s request, Zelensky said Ukraine would resume the attacks because Russia had failed to honour the proposed truce.

Trump criticised Zelensky in an interview with Newsmax on Thursday, describing him as “not a good guy for us to deal with”, according to the report.

Speaking alongside European leaders, Zelensky thanked the European Union for its continued support.

“I’m so thankful that we have such huge support from EU Council, Commission and leaders – real leaders – so that they stay with us from the very beginning of this war,” he said.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the bloc was preparing its 22nd package of sanctions against Russia following Moscow’s continued attacks.

“We supported President Trump’s energy ceasefire, but we’ve seen that Russia did not respect it – not a single minute. Instead, Russia escalated, and therefore we have to increase the pressure on Russia,” von der Leyen said.

She added that the EU would not lift sanctions unless Russia ended the war.

European Council President António Costa also reaffirmed the bloc’s commitment to Ukraine, saying it was not the time to ease pressure on Moscow or withdraw support from Kyiv.

Zelensky urged EU leaders to strengthen military and financial assistance to Ukraine, with energy security, air defence and funding among Kyiv’s priorities as it prepares for another winter of war.