Another week in Brussels, another round of diplomatic drama. As the European Council summit wrapped up, the mood among EU leaders was tense, with the war in Ukraine and its economic fallout dominating discussions. But the real story this week was not in the room—it was the escalating war of words between Washington and Kyiv.
President Donald Trump, facing a tough midterm election cycle, has chosen to blame Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for the global energy crisis. The accusation is as convenient as it is misleading. With US gasoline prices hitting $4.27 a gallon, Trump needs a scapegoat, and Zelenskyy fits the bill.
The root cause of the price surge is not Ukraine's strikes on Russian refineries, but the US-Israeli war on Iran and Tehran's weaponisation of the Strait of Hormuz. By choking off a fifth of the world's oil supply, Iran has created a crisis that Washington has no quick fix for. Instead of addressing that, Trump has escalated his rhetoric against Zelenskyy, accusing him of creating problems for American farmers and ranchers, and even suggesting Ukraine needs a new leader.
This is a shocking stance, especially given that Ukraine is under daily missile attacks and has faced serious operational difficulties this week due to intelligence and infrastructure challenges. Trump has never used such language towards Vladimir Putin, nor has he called for free elections in Russia. The bias is striking, and it undermines any claim of US neutrality in the conflict.
There is also a personal edge to Trump's attacks. He has criticised Zelenskyy's military attire, his manners, and his refusal to concede territory. The US president seems to view Zelenskyy as an obstacle to a quick deal, but that deal would be disastrous for Ukraine and for Europe. Zelenskyy is right to stand his ground: the war is about survival, not just land.
A flawed US strategy
The US administration appears convinced that the war has reached a stalemate and that Ukraine cannot regain its occupied territories. They believe Putin can be coaxed back to the negotiating table through economic incentives and business deals. This is a fundamental misreading of Putin's motivations, as his 2021 essay on the historical unity of Russians and Ukrainians makes clear. For Putin, this is a war to erase Ukrainian independence.
Zelenskyy's refusal to make territorial concessions is not stubbornness; it is a recognition that any deal must include ironclad security guarantees. No country would willingly give up land for vague promises. The wider European security architecture is at stake, and the EU must stand firm.
Zelenskyy's visit to Brussels on Friday was a mix of gratitude and urgency. He thanked EU leaders, calling them 'real leaders' in a clear dig at Trump, but he also brought a list of unresolved issues. Ukraine faces a brutal winter, with much of its energy infrastructure damaged. The EU summit ended with a budget deadlock, leaving a funding gap for Ukraine that could not be filled.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration's suspension of new Russia sanctions in exchange for a diesel deal has only added to the uncertainty. The deal gives Russia revenue with no strings attached, and it does little to address the underlying problem of the Strait of Hormuz.
European leaders are watching these developments with growing alarm. The EU and Ukraine have launched a joint task force to accelerate accession reforms, but the bloc's unity is being tested. The rise of Le Pen's agenda in France, with its budget caps and Ukraine aid cuts, could reshape the bloc's approach.
As the winter sets in, the stakes could not be higher. Trump's scapegoating of Zelenskyy is a dangerous distraction from the real issues. Europe must not be lulled into a false sense of security. The war in Ukraine is not just about territory; it is about the future of the European continent.
