‘This is my answer’: Zelensky smiles when asked about Trump making him a ‘scapegoat’ as he faces disastrous mid-terms
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded with a smile and the words “This is my answer” when asked whether Donald Trump was making him a scapegoat for problems in the United States. The exchange followed Trump’s criticism of Zelensky and came amid strained US-Ukraine relations, making the moment a pointed but indirect response to the dispute.
Zelensky also said Starlink service in Ukraine was still being restored after restrictions disrupted communications used by Ukrainian forces to defend against Russian drones. He said the slowdown left forces unable to intercept some drones, while noting that Ukraine and US officials were discussing a possible meeting. At an EU summit, he requested an additional €70 billion in European funding for next year, saying the war would cost €155 billion.
- Zelensky smiled rather than directly answering whether Trump was scapegoating him.
- Starlink restrictions hindered Ukraine’s ability to intercept some Russian drones.
- He asked EU leaders for €70 billion in additional funding next year.
New here? Start with this
Ukraine is a country in eastern Europe that Russia invaded in 2022. Volodymyr Zelensky is Ukraine’s president, and his government relies on military and financial support from the United States and European countries to defend the country.
Donald Trump is the US president, and decisions by his administration can affect American support for Ukraine. Starlink, a satellite internet service run by Elon Musk’s company SpaceX, has also been used by Ukrainian forces for communications. Ukraine’s requests for further European funding reflect the large costs of continuing the war.