Zelensky Responds to Trump Scapegoat Question at Brussels Press Conference Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded with a smile when asked if Donald Trump was scapegoating him, amid Starlink restrictions and a US-Russia diesel deal. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded with a knowing smile when asked at a Brussels press conference on Friday whether US President Donald Trump was scapegoating him for domestic troubles. The question came after meetings with European Union leaders. A Sky News journalist noted Trump faces difficult midterm elections, low personal popularity, high diesel prices, and a war in the Middle East that is not going as desired. Zelensky paused, smiled, and said: This is my answer. Trump Prefers Putin Over ZelenskyThe exchange followed Trump's comment that he finds it easier to deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin than with Zelensky, as US ties with Kyiv have soured ahead of November midterm elections. Zelensky said that the previous day saw a thousand drones in Ukraine, but the American side said it is difficult to speak with him and less difficult to manage with Putin.Trump later called Ukraine's renewed strikes on Russian oil refineries a disgrace in an interview with Newsmax. He blamed Zelensky for the war, claiming he, not Putin, had destroyed Ukraine. Trump added that Ukrainians want a deal with Russia but will not do it with Zelensky, and said he is not a big fan of the Ukrainian leader.In an interview with the Financial Times, Zelensky had said the cutting off of US intelligence sharing and the weakening of the Starlink satellite internet service was dangerous for civilians, adding: The block is out. We are done.Starlink Service Disruption and RestorationZelensky said Starlink services in Ukraine were still being restored after partial restrictions impeded the military's ability to defend against Russian forces. He noted that speed had not fully returned to previous levels but was being restored now. He added that partners told him the US administration and the White House sent a message to SpaceX asking them to restore it.Kyiv reported restrictions to the service, operated by Elon Musk's SpaceX, on Wednesday, shortly after Trump criticised Ukraine and urged it to stop targeting Russian oil refineries. Musk said any disruption was the responsibility of the US government, not SpaceX. Zelensky called the disruption a very unpleasant and dangerous surprise.Ukraine uses Starshield, Starlink's military-grade satellite service, for battlefield communications, mid-range strikes on Russia-occupied territory, and interceptor drones. It also uses SpaceX's parallel Starlink civilian satellite system. Zelensky said slowing down Starlink meant Ukrainian forces were left unable to shoot down a certain number of drones, adding that it was very painful.EU Funding Request and US-Russia Diesel DealZelensky asked European Union leaders to provide Kyiv an extra 70 billion euros, or 59 billion pounds, in funding next year to help it keep fighting Russia. He said the war will cost 155 billion euros next year and that Ukraine needs at least 70 billion euros more from the EU for defence, weapons, and resilience. He described the amount as realistic and asked leaders to find this support.He suggested that Ukrainian and US negotiators could arrange to meet soon, despite anger in Kyiv over Washington's diesel deal with Russia. Both Zelensky and US senators called the deal a gift to Putin that would provide Russia with revenue to keep funding its invasion of Ukraine. The waiver allows Moscow to add 300,000 tons of diesel to global markets to ease fuel prices before the US midterm elections next month.Zelensky told reporters that his team is in constant contact with the US side and he thinks they will agree on a meeting at one level or another in the coming days.Renewed Strikes and Putin's VowOn Thursday, a Ukrainian drone attack on Russia's Ryazan region caused a fire at a major oil refinery, marking the first Ukrainian strike on an energy facility since Trump announced a surprise energy ceasefire on Sunday. Vladimir Putin vowed revenge after Zelensky resumed attacks on Russian oil refineries.Trump called Ukraine's renewed strikes a disgrace in an interview published on Friday, adding that Kyiv's recent strikes were driving up global energy prices.