Trump calls Zelensky harder to deal with than Putin at EU summit

US President Donald Trump launched a new wave of criticism at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday, claiming he was more difficult to deal with than Russian President Vladimir Putin. The remarks came as Zelensky was attending an EU Council summit in Brussels, seeking European backing for Ukraine amid the ongoing war.

EU leaders back Ukraine

Despite Trump's comments, EU leaders rallied behind Zelensky. He held talks with European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who discussed air defense systems, energy, and military cluster supplies for Ukraine. The EU declared it would not ease sanctions on Russia, regardless of American pressure.

Kremlin and European responses

The Kremlin immediately expressed full agreement with Trump's characterization of Zelensky. However, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen rejected Trump's claim, arguing that Zelensky is not harder to deal with than Putin, and called for frozen Russian assets to be transferred to Ukraine. Czech Prime Minister stated that Trump had betrayed Europe with his deal with Putin.