Politics · Other · 1 hr ago
European leaders criticize Trump’s Russia policy as EU discusses Ukraine support
At a Brussels summit, EU leaders criticized recent US moves affecting Ukraine and Russia.
US President Donald Trump announced a deal to buy Russian diesel and called for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to be replaced.
Days later, Ukraine’s military use of Starlink was restricted without prior warning, and the US may also have limited intelligence sharing.
European leaders said the diesel deal could help finance Russia’s war and that the Starlink restrictions raised security concerns.
They warned that US policy toward Russia differs from Europe’s, which has continued to back Ukraine and pressure Russia to stop the war.
On the summit’s second day, Zelensky joined leaders as they discussed what support Europe can offer Ukraine and how much it will cost.
European leaders criticized the Trump administration’s recent Russia policy at an EU summit in Brussels on Oct. 15.
They objected to a U.S. agreement to buy Russian diesel and pressure on Ukraine to stop attacks on Russian energy infrastructure.
EU leaders also criticized restrictions on Ukraine’s use of Starlink, which were imposed without prior warning, according to the Kyiv Independent.
European officials argued that pressuring Ukraine could weaken its position without persuading Russia to end the war.
Leaders discussed continued support for Ukraine at the summit, with its president, Volodymyr Zelensky, joining talks on the second day.
- Who
- European Union leaders criticized U.S. President Donald Trump’s Russia policy. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky joined the summit’s second-day discussions.
- What
- Leaders criticized the U.S. diesel deal with Russia and pressure on Ukraine, and discussed support for Ukraine.
- When
- The EU summit took place on Oct. 15 and 16, 2026. The criticism reported by the Kyiv Independent came on Oct. 15.
- Where
- Brussels, Belgium.
- Why
- European leaders said the U.S. moves could support Russia’s war effort and weaken Ukraine without bringing Russia closer to peace.
European leaders
Trump administration
Pressure on Ukraine
European leaders
Leaders warned against pressuring Kyiv to stop attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, saying this could weaken Ukraine’s leverage.
Trump administration
Trump demanded that Ukraine stop its refinery attacks, according to Politico Europe.
Relations with Russia
European leaders
Leaders criticized buying Russian diesel and argued that pressure should be placed on Russia, not Ukraine.
Trump administration
Trump announced a deal to buy Russian diesel and said Putin was more willing than Zelensky to make a deal.
Trump signed a law codifying existing U.S. sanctions against Russia and expanding the scope for secondary sanctions, tariffs and restrictions.
Trump announced a deal to buy Russian diesel, according to the Kyiv Independent.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Europe needed to take its future into its own hands at a meeting of EU foreign ministers.
Sybiha told the Warsaw Security Conference that Ukraine had moved from having no cards to being told not to play them.
EU leaders criticized Trump’s Russia policy at a summit in Brussels.
Zelensky joined EU leaders as they discussed support for Ukraine on the summit’s second day.
- Summit location
- Brussels, Belgium
- Summit dates
- Oct. 15–16, 2026
- Diesel deal announced
- Oct. 9, 2026
- Ukrainian foreign minister
- Andrii Sybiha
- U.S. sanctions law signed
- Sep. 18, 2026
8 sources
Energy prices, budget impasse push Ukraine into background at EU summit — media
Europa worstelt met steun aan Oekraïne en spanningen tussen Trump en Zelensky op dag 2 van EU-top
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'Incoherent,' 'deeply problematic,' and 'bad,' Europe reacts to Trump's recent pro-Russian turn
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From no cards to many: Europe warns Trump not to waste Ukraine’s leverage
What people are saying
We see that we have to pressure the aggressor to stop the war, not the victim to surrender
You end the war by persuading the aggressor to limit his level of ambition, not by asking the victim to capitulate
There is only one word to describe it, it is deeply problematic. And yet another example of how the tech giants have gained all too much power and influence
In less than two years we went from the stage of no cards to the stage of don't play your cards
Posts on X
Here's my full exchange with @realDonaldTrump where he said Putin wants to make a deal more than @ZelenskyyUa PAP: How are you going to make Putin abide by the ceasefire? TRUMP: I think what's happening is he wants to make a deal, and we have to get Zelensky to want to make a