Ukraine’s president downplayed a rumoured European backlash after his latest spat with Washington. He answered questions in a Brussels press conference immediately after his departure from the European Council meeting on Friday.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy took questions from reporters in Brussels after talks with European leaders. Journalists asked about frozen assets, Starlink, air defence, relations with Washington, and peace talks. Mr Zelenskyy answered at length.

A reporter from Deutsche Welle asked whether he felt pressure as European politics moved to the right and whether territory would form part of any negotiation. Mr Zelenskyy said Donbass was not the real issue.

“The issue is not withdrawing from Donbass. It’s the issue of our country’s existence. We’re now standing and fighting. What’s the alternative? Annihilation. Ukraine is standing against this large enemy because otherwise we’ll be annihilated,” Mr Zelenskyy stressed.

He noted Europe was united and aware of the risks. He listed drone border violations in Romania, Poland, Germany, Moldova, and Bulgaria. “I feel full support from Europe now, especially over this past month,” he pointed out.

Putin’s aims

Mr Zelenskyy said Russian President Vladimir Putin wanted more than Donbass — the full-scale invasion, he recalled, began with almost occupying Kyiv. He stressed the state does not exist without its capital. “Putin wants to destroy us. He doesn’t respect us, our sovereignty and territorial integrity,” said Mr Zelenskyy.

What’s the alternative? Annihilation. Ukraine is standing against this large enemy because otherwise we’ll be annihilated. — Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s president

Euronews asked about reports that US President Donald Trump called Mr Zelenskyy more difficult to deal with than Mr Putin. It also asked whether European leaders backed strikes on Russian refineries.

Mr Zelenskyy replied: “I am standing up for Ukraine’s interest solely. Our people are getting killed. We have a right to defend ourselves. The priority is to end the war, but Putin has no interest in peace negotiations. It’s a travesty,” said Mr Zelenskyy.

Reuters asked two questions—on Starlink and on intelligence sharing—and whether Ukraine’s relationship with Mr Trump had worsened. Mr Zelenskyy first explained how Ukraine uses Starlink.

Starlink restrictions

“Ukraine is using Starlink to intercept jet-powered drones attacking our civilians. That is why we addressed SpaceX and the White House (about it). We do not use it for attacks on Russian territory,” explained Mr Zelenskyy. “Starlink was not turned off, but the speed limits were lowered,” he said. He said the cut left Ukraine unable to shoot down certain Shahed drones. The limit fell to 70km an hour while the drones move at 400km.

Mr Zelenskyy said Ukraine’s defence ministry was in touch with partners. They told him of signals from the White House that it would return the capabilities. The previous speed limits had not yet returned, he said.

TVP World and Suspilne asked about interceptors for Patriot air-defence systems. Suspilne also asked whether Europe could replace Starlink. Mr Zelenskyy said Ukraine buys PAC2 and PAC3 missiles through the US, and Europe pays for them.

“Most of PAC2 and PAC3 missiles are now being sent to the Middle East. So it’s an open secret that we are not a priority destination for these missiles now,” said Mr Zelenskyy. He said Ukraine had asked European leaders for the minimum it needs for the winter. He said Europe has enough interceptors to meet that request.

Relations with Europe, Washington

“Will Europe support us? Yes. In what numbers? I don’t know. We ask for a bare minimum; nobody is (thinking of) using two missiles to shoot down one drone,” said Mr Zelenskyy. He mentioned the German side had received licences to produce the relevant missiles. “We have already signed an agreement and all of this is now being financed. And in 2027 we should have the relevant packages,” he noted.

Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung asked whether Mr Zelenskyy had mishandled his response to Washington. It also asked how he would mend fences with Mr Trump. He said he had heard only support from European colleagues. “I heard from our European colleagues support and only support. I’m grateful to them for this. They understand Ukraine’s position,” said Mr Zelenskyy.

He said Ukraine had not known of the diesel deal between the US and Russia. The lifting of sanctions surprised everybody; Mr Zelenskyy mentioned an offer to Washington of an energy ceasefire he had made.

He said he made a second offer if Russia refused. “And if there is no energy ceasefire, give us anti ballistic missiles so that I could protect my energy facilities,” he said, before clarifying that he had not received them.

Frozen assets and EU ties

VTM News asked whether Europe’s debate on frozen assets had shifted. Mr Zelenskyy first thanked Belgium for hosting his team: “We are grateful for the meeting with the Prime Minister and for the meeting with His Majesty the King.”

He said Ukraine and Belgium discussed F-16 jets. “We expect new F-16s to arrive by the end of the year,” said Mr Zelenskyy. He stressed Ukraine uses the aircraft to shoot down the fastest Russian jet-powered drones.

Our people are getting killed. We have a right to defend ourselves. The priority is to end the war, but Putin is not interested in peace negotiations. It’s a travesty. — Volodymyr Zelenskyy

On the assets, he thanked EU leaders for last year’s decision on a loan of 90 billion, or 45 billion for each year. He said Russia wants its assets back. Ukraine wants to ensure Russia cannot influence them.

Ukrinform asked whether Europe could speak with one voice on peace. “I believe that Europe is taking certain steps to get on its own track that represents our interests, too, when talking to the Russians. Even in the US, I see things that are moving in parallel,” said Mr Zelenskyy.

Freedom Channel asked about Mr Zelenskyy’s first official meeting with the Hungarian prime minister, and about EU accession. He thanked Hungary for supporting the opening of two negotiating clusters. “We are coming close to each other. We had a very good meeting, we are moving,” he said.

Refineries and NATO

Bloomberg asked whether Ukraine was hitting Russian refineries again. It also asked about Ukraine’s strategy for striking targets in Russia. Mr Zelenskyy declined to give details. “Usually I don’t communicate the details of our operations, so the main role of our operation is to respond,” said the president. He closed with a warning about NATO. Russia was testing Europe with drones, and NATO countries do not want to escalate over a few of them.

“NATO countries, it’s understandable, they don’t want to escalate now. It’s understandable when you have one drone, two drones or ten. But you will be very loud when it is ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and thousands (of drones). Yesterday, a thousand drones were in Ukraine. But the American side said that it is difficult to speak with Zelenskyy. It’s less difficult to manage with Putin. Of course,” said Mr Zelenskyy.

The president found a moment to lighten up the mood at the end of the press meeting. Asked whether he thought Donald Trump treated him as a scapegoat for his own problems (inflation, poor pre-election polling, the Iran war not going well), he just flashed a wide smile. “This is my answer,” he said. Ukraine’s leader then declined to take further questions due to scheduling pressure. “We have very good relations with your country,” he told the journalist in what appeared to be a thinly veiled parody of Mr Trump’s tone.