President Volodymyr Zelensky stated he is merely protecting Ukraine's core interests following pointed remarks from Donald Trump, who described the Ukrainian leader as tougher to negotiate with than Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The US president, after finalizing a disputed diesel import arrangement with Moscow, labeled Kyiv's latest attacks on Russian oil facilities as unacceptable.

Zelensky explained he could not endorse the diesel arrangement, fearing it might lead to a similar gas pact. He stressed at the Brussels EU gathering that standing firm was essential since no one else would.

Relations between Washington and Kyiv grew strained due to the diesel agreement and limits imposed on Ukraine's satellite communications network.

Still, Zelensky expressed hope that US and Ukrainian teams would soon arrange talks at an appropriate level.

Following the EU summit, a news conference featured an extended pause when Sky News queried whether Zelensky viewed himself as a scapegoat for Trump's domestic issues.

After the silence, Zelensky smiled, drawing chuckles from attending reporters, and noted that the pause served as his reply.

He entered the meeting alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa, expressing gratitude to supportive European counterparts.

Trump faulted Zelensky for restarting strikes on Russian oil sites after the US leader declared an energy infrastructure ceasefire the prior week.

Kyiv indicated it would halt attacks if Moscow did likewise, yet Russia denied agreeing and persisted with operations. After three days, Zelensky authorized resumption of Ukrainian strikes.

Von der Leyen noted support for Trump's energy ceasefire proposal but observed Russia's immediate disregard, calling for heightened sanctions on Moscow.

Discussions at the summit centered on financial aid for Ukraine to endure another harsh winter, the fifth since Russia's full-scale invasion began in February 2022.

Von der Leyen highlighted Russia's ongoing efforts to damage energy and water systems while affirming continued European backing through the season.

Zelensky conveyed Ukraine's desire for a swift resolution but observed no matching intent from Russia, underscoring the need to ready defense and funding measures alongside energy supplies.

Overnight assaults persisted, claiming lives in a drone strike on Kharkiv and leaving hundreds of thousands without electricity in the Volyn region after further hits, according to local officials.

Trump's recent statements on Zelensky during a Newsmax interview underscore the widening rift between Washington and Kyiv.

The US president voiced limited regard for Zelensky, calling him difficult to engage and unwilling to pursue settlement despite public claims otherwise.

Trump pointed to mutual animosity between Putin and Zelensky as a barrier to progress.

The Kremlin endorsed Trump's view that Zelensky resists agreement, mirroring Kyiv's accusations against Moscow.

Trump condemned Ukraine's renewed refinery strikes as counterproductive, noting they elevate global oil costs and overlook other potential targets.

His frustration stems from the impact on Russia's diesel exports to the US under the recent deal aimed at easing fuel prices amid rising costs since February.

The arrangement drew sharp criticism from Zelensky as a boon to Putin that extends rather than concludes the conflict.

Additional tension arose from curbs on the Starlink network vital to Ukrainian operations, imposed without advance notice and coinciding with deadly Russian strikes.

Zelensky described the network slowdown as an unwelcome shock, with full speeds yet to return.

The Trump administration had signaled possible cuts to intelligence support if Ukraine continues targeting Russian energy sites.