Pallade Veneta - Zelensky drums up European backing as Trump ties slump

Kyiv's ties with Trump have nosedived after the US leader eased sanctions on Russia as part of a deal to supply diesel.

Trump branded Kyiv's actions a "disgrace" and said it was easier to deal with Russia's President Vladimir Putin than Zelensky after the Ukrainian leader ordered his forces to resume strike on Russian refineries.

"I defend the interests of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people exclusively," Zelensky told journalists after talks with EU leaders in Brussels.

Asked if he was being made a scapegoat for Trump's domestic woes ahead of the US midterms, Zelensky just smiled.

"This is my answer," he said, after an extended pregnant pause.

The latest breakdown between Trump and Zelensky has fuelled fear that the US leader is siding with Moscow.

Those concerns have been heightened by disruptions to a critical US-provided satellite system that has hampered Ukraine ability to counter Russia's intense bombardments.

Ukraine uses the Starshield system from Elon Musk's SpaceX for battlefield communications, mid-range strikes on Russian-occupied territory and interceptor drones. It also uses SpaceX's parallel Starlink civilian satellite system, but not for offensive operations.

Tech billionaire Musk -- though a virulent Zelensky critic -- said his company was not behind the disruption and a US official denied any intervention by Trump.

"Has the speed been fully restored to what it was before? No. Is the speed being restored now? Yes," Zelensky said.

In his speech to EU leaders, Zelensky said that he believed that most Americans supported Ukraine's fight against Moscow's invasion.

"At the end of the day, the American people will have their say," he said.

- 70 billion euro question -

While he grapples with Trump, European leaders put on a show of unity with Zelensky.

"This is no time to withdraw the support to Ukraine. This is no time to relieve Russia's sanctions," European Council chief Antonio Costa said.

"Now it is time to increase our support, to increase our pressure."

Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten said that "the situation in Ukraine is currently truly dire, with numerous Russian attacks and a tense relationship between Ukraine and the US."

"It is crucial that we, as Europe, demonstrate our unconditional support for them today -- and explore what additional steps we can take," he said.

But the EU leaders will need to find more than just words to keep Ukraine going.

Zelensky asked the bloc to provide Kyiv an extra 70 billion euros ($79 billion) in funding next year to help it keep fighting Russia.

"This is a realistic amount. And I ask you to find this support. It will help us hold Russia back."

- Frozen assets -

The EU -- Ukraine's biggest intentional backer -- is currently paying out instalments of a 90-billion-euro loan for Kyiv that was set to help cover funding to the end of 2027.

But the Ukrainian authorities have warned they will still face a major budget black hole as Russian strikes have battered the country's economy.

Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Thursday the European Union will have to find more money to finance Ukraine.

The talks on new funding have reignited calls for the European Union to tap around 200 billion euros in frozen Russian central bank assets to fund Ukraine.

"The frozen assets are there. That's what should be used for supporting Ukraine," said Latvian premier Andris Kulbergs.

But there seems little momentum on that front as Belgium, where most of the funds are held, remains opposed.

H.Ercolani--PV