NRT briefing
Zelensky rallies EU support as Trump says Ukraine leader 'more difficult to deal with than Putin'
Based on reporting by BBC News.
The Brief
US President Donald Trump has renewed his criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, saying Zelensky is "more difficult to deal with than [Russian President Vladimir] Putin." In an interview with Newsmax, Trump also called Ukraine's renewed strikes on Russian oil refineries "a disgrace," saying they raise global oil prices. The comments come as Zelensky attends an EU summit in Brussels focused on funding and winter support for Ukraine.
Zelensky had paused attacks on Russian energy targets for three days at Trump's request for a ceasefire, but said strikes would resume because Moscow never stopped. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU supported the ceasefire but Russia did not respect it "not a single minute," and vowed to increase sanctions. Russia says it never agreed to the ceasefire.
Overnight, a Russian drone strike on Kharkiv killed several people and injured at least 19, according to regional governor Oleg Synegubov. Ukraine also launched drones against Russia, with 644 intercepted over 26 regions and Moscow's airspace temporarily closed. Trump is reportedly frustrated by Ukraine's refinery strikes as the US recently agreed to import Russian diesel to lower fuel prices, a deal Zelensky called a gift to Putin.