Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has appealed to European Union (EU) leaders to provide nearly $80 billion in additional funding next year to sustain Kyiv’s war effort against Russia, amid worsening relations with United States President Donald Trump.
The appeal came after a fresh dispute between the two leaders following Washington’s easing of sanctions on Russia as part of an agreement to secure diesel supplies.
Trump criticised Kyiv’s decision to resume attacks on Russian oil refineries, describing Ukraine’s actions as a “disgrace” and saying Russian President Vladimir Putin was easier to deal with than Zelensky.
Responding to the criticism after meeting EU leaders in Brussels, Zelensky insisted that his priority remained defending his country and its citizens.
“I defend the interests of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people exclusively,” he told journalists.
Asked whether he was being made a scapegoat for Trump’s domestic political difficulties ahead of the US midterm elections, Zelensky responded with a smile after a lengthy pause.
“This is my answer,” he said.
The latest disagreement has intensified concerns in Kyiv and among its European allies over Washington’s commitment to Ukraine, with fears that the US administration could be moving closer to Moscow’s position.
Those concerns have also been fuelled by disruptions to a critical satellite communications system supplied by the United States, which have reportedly weakened Ukraine’s ability to respond to intense Russian bombardments.
Ukraine relies on Starshield, a satellite communications service operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, for battlefield communications, mid-range strikes against Russian-occupied territories and the operation of interceptor drones.
The country also uses SpaceX’s Starlink civilian satellite network, although it does not rely on that system for offensive military operations.
The disruptions have raised questions about the reliability of Ukraine’s access to satellite-based military communications at a time when it faces sustained Russian attacks.
Musk, who has repeatedly criticised Zelensky, denied that his company was responsible for the disruption. A US official also rejected suggestions that Trump had intervened in the system.
Against the backdrop of the diplomatic dispute, Zelensky’s funding request underscores Ukraine’s continued dependence on Western financial and military support as the war with Russia persists.
The appeal to European leaders also highlights the growing importance of EU assistance to Kyiv amid uncertainty over the future direction of US policy towards the conflict.
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