Zelensky drums up European backing as Trump ties slump

Key Points:

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged EU leaders to provide nearly $80 billion more in funding next year to support Kyiv's fight against Russia, emphasizing his commitment to defending Ukraine's interests amid tensions with US President Donald Trump.
• Relations between Kyiv and Trump have deteriorated after Trump eased sanctions on Russia and criticized Zelensky, calling Ukraine's actions a "disgrace" and expressing preference for dealing with Putin over Zelensky.
• Disruptions to the US-provided Starshield satellite system, crucial for Ukraine's battlefield communications and strikes, have raised concerns about US support, though Elon Musk and US officials denied involvement in the outages.
• EU leaders expressed solidarity with Ukraine and highlighted the need to increase support and pressure on Russia, but discussions on funding face challenges, including debates over using frozen Russian central bank assets held by the EU.
• Despite ongoing financial aid, Ukraine warns of a significant budget shortfall due to the war's economic impact, prompting calls for the EU to mobilize additional resources to sustain Kyiv’s defense efforts.