‘This is my answer’: Zelenskyy smiles at suggestion he is a scapegoat for Trump’s problems – Europe live

Zelenskyy smiles at suggestion he's a 'scapegoat' for Trump's problems ahead of midterms

Oh, that’s tasty.

Zelenskyy got asked by Sky News if he feels he’s being treated as a scapegoat for Trump’s domestic problems ahead of the tricky midterm elections.

In response, he pauses for 15 seconds, and eventually smiles before saying:

“This is my answer.”

Ouch.

Zelenskyy answers question on whether he thinks he's a scapegoat for pressures facing Trump

And the press conference immediately wraps up after that.

Key events

Merz gets asked if he had any words of advice for Zelenskyy.

He says he wouldn’t offer any advice publicly as the two talk regularly to each other.

He says he is aware that the Americans have other interests as well, but the Russian invasion on Ukraine is “an assault on the political order across all of Europe.”

He also takes note of Russia’s own actions to place European companies in Russia under state-mandated administration, and says the government will examine these cases closely.

But he says the leaders also discuss a further restrictions on “a very large number of visas still being issued to Russian citizens travelling to the EU.”

“There is certainly room for us to restrict this type of travel … If Russia chooses to respond, we will be ready with a reply,” he says.

He also gets a question on migration, and he says this discussion is still ongoing – but reveals that other leaders, including the Greek PM, noted “enormous progress” made in recent years.

Back to the question of further financial support to Ukraine, he says no decision has been made on the form in which this could be offered.

Merz backs Ukraine's strikes on Russia's communications, energy infrastructure in response to attacks

Merz gets asked about the fallout between Zelenskyy and Trump, and what can be done about it.

He says he is in regular contact with Trump by phone, and will see him in person “by December at the latest.”

But focuses on saying that he sees “no willingness on the Russian side to end this war,” with all indications actually going in the opposite direction as “the escalation continues.”

“Against this backdrop, I believe it is appropriate, logical, and understandable for Ukraine to strike targets within Russia that hinder the war effort of the Russian government and the Russian army – including both communication and energy supply systems.”

He says that’s “the only means Ukraine has to signal to Russia that it is prepared to defend itself.”

'Broad consensus' to keep supporting Ukraine, but details on funding yet to be agreed, Merz says

Germany’s Merz gets asked about the discussion with Zelenskyy and his request for more money for Ukraine.

He says it was more of a discussion with no formal decisions, but says “we are all very concerned about the situation in Ukraine.”

He says there is “a broad consensus” to keep supporting Ukraine “through the winter and into the coming year,” with the commission “assessing the financial requirements,” acknowledging the €90bn loan from last year may not be enough.

He says further discussions on this are expected in November and December.

'Significant differences' on EU budget, but broad support for new trade instrument, new proposals for automotive industry, Merz says

German chancellor Friedrich Merz is the first national leader to leave the room, and he’s now briefing reporters on today’s talks.

He begins by saying the talks are “not quite finished yet,” but gives a bit of a readout from the discussions.

He says the leaders discussed the issue dear to his heart, namely how to improve the bloc’s competitiveness, and agreed that “only an economically strong and sovereign Europe can hold its own in today’s world.”

He says the leaders will meet to discuss in again in early February.

He also says there was “unanimous, unequivocal” support for a proposal put forward by Macron and Merz on trade policy, with a new instrument to “allow for rapid response” to any imbalances (as covered on the blog on Wednesday).

On the EU budget, he says there are “significant differences” in how countries look at this issue, as “a smaller group” calls for the budget to be reduced, and “a larger group” want it to be expanded further.

“We are all facing the need for substantial fiscal consolidation at home; it is simply not tenable for the European budget to increase by around 50% during the same period,” Merz says.

He says there will be likely an extra council in November with a “multi-day session” in December to discuss this further. He hopes for a deal before the end of the year, but is not sure if that’s going to happen.

Merz also welcomes a new German-French deal on the future policy on automotive industry, concerning certain technologies and climate targets.

“To put it simply: the phaseout of internal combustion engines is now off the table. We are receiving a great deal of support for this,” he says.

The focus is on “technology neutrality,” he says, adding that Italy is “largely in agreement” with the proposals, too.

“This now needs to be integrated into the formal legislative process, but I believe we will be able to reach a final decision at the European level quite quickly. If the European Parliament follows this path, then we will have solved this major problem together,” he says.

EU talks move on from Ukraine to migration and Ceuta

in Brussels

EU leaders have finished their talks on Ukraine and hybrid threats in Europe in the last half hour, according to an EU source. They now move to the topic of migration, where sudden influx of arrivals in Ceuta is likely to be in focus.

Zelenskyy asks for another €70bn to fund Ukraine's defence against Russia - snap analysis

in Brussels

Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has asked the EU for another €70bn next year to fund Ukraine’s defence against Russia.

According to a transcript of his remarks, he told EU leaders that the war will cost €155bn in 2027 (15:13).

“And we need at least €70 bn more from you – for defence, for weapons, and for our resilience. This is a realistic amount.”

Belgium, which hosts the vast majority of the Russian funds, remains strongly opposed to using the frozen assets, fearing it will be left to carry the financial burden if the plan went wrong. But Zelenskyy said there could be an alternative.

“We need something like a special EU-controlled custodian to reduce the risk of them being unfrozen and divided up among those who clearly do not want what is best for Europe or an end to this war.”

De Wever said:

“So are you, as a European family, still willing, ready and able to put your money where your mouths are and support Ukraine and keep Ukrainian society and Ukrainian defence up and running?”

Zelenskyy warns against Putin using energy to 'tempt the world into looking the other way'

The full text of Zelenskyy’s address, released by his office, also includes some further interesting nuggets.

Describing Putin’s Russia as an existential long-term threat to Europe, he explained:

“Some of today’s European leaders, some of today’s people running in elections and taking part in politics in your countries were still at school when Putin was already waging war. And even back when Bill Clinton was still President of the United States, Putin was already waging war. Against the Chechens. And that war taught Putin a lesson.

If he uses oil and gas to tempt the world, many politicians look the other way – even when cities are turned to rubble and villages are burned to the ground. That is exactly how Putin has been running things ever since. And he always has some “excuse” for why he can’t live in peace with one country or another.”

He also tried to set out a pan-European logic for fighting Putin, saying:

“That is why the EU – and your unity, and every truly independent European country – is a target for him.

Not because you are doing something wrong. Not because someone once offended Russia or failed to give Putin something he wanted. Putin only gets along with those who want to wage wars themselves and have no respect for human life. If he wins, everything that holds you together and keeps your people living in peace will simply be gone. Look at what he has been saying all these years. He has a problem with everything that happened after 1985. We don’t want to go back there.

It’s important that people understand this across the whole European Union – from Poland and Finland and all the Nordic countries to France, Spain, and Italy.

We may argue and disagree on politics. Sometimes we have serious disagreements over decisions. And that’s normal for democracies – I’m sure.

Despite all our differences, we all want the same thing – a security system that really works and can deal with today’s threats.”

There is also a nice touch as Zelenskyy paid tribute to Italy’s Giorgia Meloni – although she is not mentioned by name – after she delivered a rousing speech in the Italian parliament, explicitly warning about Russia.

Speaking in the Senate on Wednesday, Meloni said:

“If Ukraine stopped defending itself tomorrow, as many are hoping and proposing, we would not have peace. We would be discussing the occupation of a European nation and the return of the Soviet-style imperialism that Europe has known for half a century.

Personally, I don’t miss those years. I don’t miss the Russian tanks that repressed the uprisings in Prague and Budapest. I don’t miss the Berlin Wall.”

Zelenskyy responded to that in his speech:

“I am grateful to every one of you who does not miss the tanks that crushed the uprisings in Prague and Budapest – or the Berlin Wall.”

You may think it’s a small detail, but be in no doubt: everyone in that room knew what he referred to.

Zelenskyy's address to EU leaders includes targeted praise for 'people with good hearts' in America and request for further funding for Ukraine

Ukraine’s Zelenskyy has just released five clips from his earlier address to the EU leaders, delivered behind the closed doors, and there are some really striking bits there.

He started with general praise for the EU …

“Unity in defence is always built by many, many standing together, and without a determined European Union capable of making strong decisions, Putin would have gone much further by now.

The European Union has not fallen apart, and it has not backed down or given in to fear when it came to defending the European way of life, and that mattered just as much as the courage of Ukrainians.”

… before turning to the most controversial issue of Ukraine’s relations with the US under Trump, and seemingly making a direct reference to the upcoming midterm elections in the US.

“I am grateful to all of you who are trying to keep Europe and the United States together. There are so many people with good hearts in America who sincerely want evil to lose and Ukraine to stand strong, and these are the very hearts that helped Europe defend its freedom and that fought on D-Day, won the Cold War and won want is best for Europe, Hearts that want to be allies, not to divide or humiliate Europe, and I believe most Americans still feel this way.

And at the end of the day, the American people will have their say.

Putin will listen to America if America really turns up the heat on him and makes one thing clear: either he chooses peace or he gets no more money for his war.”

Zelenskyy also specifically criticised the US-Russia diesel deal once again, warning that lifting any sanctions anywhere will create incentives for Russia to try and get them removed elsewhere – just as what is needed is exactly the opposite.

“We warned that if sanctions are eased … anywhere in Europe, others will quickly … take advantage of it, and now we can see how cash will start flowing back into Russia through the diesel deal.

This diesel deal will never be enough to offset the impact of the Strait of Hormuz on global markets, but it will put more money straight into Putin’s pocket to fund this war.

And we need a strong 22nd package, EU sanctions package, please. And please, we need real sanctions against every company and every person involved in making Russian ballistic missiles, advanced communications systems, and drones, and those involved in Russia’s financial system.”

He also laid bare Ukraine’s pressing financial needs, asking for this issue to be included in planning for the EU’s next budget:

“The war will cost 155 billion euros next year, and we need at least 70 billion euros more from you for defence, for weapons, and for our resilience. This is a realistic, yeah, a realistic amount.

And I ask you to find this support. It will help us hold Russia back.

And there are some very simple facts. We stop most Russian assaults on the frontline thanks to drones, and we cut Russian supply lines with these technologies. Our drones are helping to weaken Russia’s economy.

Right now, we could produce two or three times more drones, depending on the type. But we simply, simply, don’t have enough money for that. It’s true. Just imagine if we could put two or three times more pressure on Russia than we do today.

We believe this war will be over as soon as possible, but Putin plans to stick around much longer.

He is building a Russia that looks like North Korea, where children are raised from an early age for war and to die for their leader.

So Russia will not stop being dangerous, and it’s our Ukrainian strength, our army, our technology that help guarantee also European security, your security.

These security guarantees are not yet reflected as we think in your budget from 2028 onward. So let’s get serious about it. Let’s work out exactly how Ukraine’s defence capabilities should be included in that budget.”

That’s a brave response from Zelenskyy, but I’m not sure he had any better option available to him. We all know the answer to this question.

Zelenskyy smiles at suggestion he's a 'scapegoat' for Trump's problems ahead of midterms

Oh, that’s tasty.

Zelenskyy got asked by Sky News if he feels he’s being treated as a scapegoat for Trump’s domestic problems ahead of the tricky midterm elections.

In response, he pauses for 15 seconds, and eventually smiles before saying:

“This is my answer.”

Ouch.

Zelenskyy answers question on whether he thinks he's a scapegoat for pressures facing Trump

And the press conference immediately wraps up after that.

Putin 'wants to destroy us' as he questions Ukraine's 'existence,' Zelenskyy warns

Asked again if he’s feeling some pressure among European leaders or fearing potential changes in European politics with big elections coming up next year, he says that he “feels full support from Europe now.”

“Europe is very united and it’s cognisant of all of the risks,” he says.

He says the war clearly shows “major risks for Europe” as he recalls recent incidents in Bulgaria, Germany, Poland, Romania.

“Europe understands as long as Ukraine stands, there will be fewer escalation with Russia,” he says.

He says Russia’s demands are not about Donbas or any part of its territory, but about “our country’s existence.”

“We’re now standing and fighting. What’s the alternative? Annihilation.”

He says Putin “wants to destroy us,” and “does not respect our sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

“So you really trust that he needs only a part of our country?”

He also warns that any further progress in Ukraine could also trigger a wave of Ukrainian migrants in Europe.

Zelenskyy says that he often hears from Trump that he just wants to “stop the killings.”

“Yes, [but] Russia is killing us, on our territory. They came on our land and further pushing further. They don’t want to stop. They even don’t want to freeze [the conflict], as you see. And what will be after that? On what borders will he [stop]?”

Visibly frustrated, he says that more than 1,000 drones were sent to Ukraine yesterday, but the American side “said that it’s difficult to speak with Zelenskyy.”

'I’m only standing up for Ukraine’s interests,' Zelenskyy says after Trump's comments comparing him with Putin

Zelenskyy gets asked about Trump’s comments that he is more difficult to deal with than Putin (11:09).

He says that in his meetings with Trump he always found topics for discussion and decisions.

“I’m only standing up for Ukraine’s interests,” he says, responding to Russian attacks.

“And no matter how Russia would like to limit all of our rights, it’s clear that we do have a right to defend ourselves.”

He says Putin “does not seek negotiations in any format,” but only “playing these games of words.” “He does not want the war to end,” he says, saying Putin’s actions are a “parody” of efforts to end the war.

He says that’s why he cannot accept any diesel deals with the US, because they will then be followed by gas agreements or other attempts to lift sanctions on Russia or its frozen assets, banking system, chemical industry, certain Russian individuals.

“If I don’t stand up to this, if I don’t defend it, who else will do this diplomatically?”

Zelenskyy praises 'very good' meeting with Hungary's Magyar

Asked about his relationship with Hungary’s Magyar (13:08), Zelenskyy says it was “a very good meeting” on the economy, logistics, energy.

He says he is “not against” meeting the Hungarian PM in Budapest next.

Zelenskyy says he heard 'only support' from EU leaders despite his clash with Trump over diesel deal

Zelenskyy gets asked if he heard any criticism from fellow leaders to his response to the US deal with Russia on diesel.

He says he “heard … only support,” and he is “grateful to them for this.”

He says the diesel deal caught Ukraine by surprise, and he believes Ukraine “should be aware of these things.”

He says despite all of that Ukraine is ready to support an energy ceasefire, but “it all depends on Russia and they do not want it.”

“And if there is no energy ceasefire, give us anti-ballistic missiles so that I can protect my energy facilities – … not too many, but for the period … of the diesel deal.”

He says Ukrainian negotiators are in touch with their US counterparts, and “in the coming days, they will arrange a meeting at a certain level,” and they will keep discussing it.

Zelenskyy declines to say if Ukraine targets Russian refineries

Zelenskyy gets directly asked if Ukraine is hitting refineries in Russia.

He says he “usually don’t communicate” the details of Ukraine’s military operations, but says “the main rule of our operations is to respond.”

Earlier he said Europe is “making certain steps” to have its own track in peace negotiations, but he didn’t offer more details on that.