EU leaders to tell Zelensky to tone down his public criticism of Trump over fears he is wrecking relationship

EU leaders are set to tell Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky to tone down his public criticism of Donald Trump amid fears he is further damaging the already-strained relationship between Washington and Kyiv. 

Zelensky has been openly criticising Mr Trump this week following a series of decisions that have put Ukraine on the back foot. 

He condemned the American president's recent deal with Russia, which saw the US lift sanctions on Russian diesel exports and announce an energy ceasefire in an effort to lower fuel prices ahead of midterm elections. 

He also slammed the 'dangerous' decision to withdraw American intelligence and weaken the Starlink satellite service at a time when Russia is pummelling Ukraine. 

Zelensky also accused Mr Trump of having an instinctive admiration for autocrats like Vladimir Putin, telling the Financial Times (FT): '[Trump] speaks about it openly and loudly that he loves such people and he respects such people. Because for him people who can be leaders 20 years, 30 years, 40 years, it means they can be very strong.'

The damning indictment of Mr Trump has shaken many European leaders who are set to meet with the Ukrainian leader today. 

At this meeting, he will be told to moderate his public rhetoric. 

An official told the FT that the messaging to Zelensky will be empathetic but firm: 'It might be true, but it doesn't always need to be said out loud.'

Despite this, EU chief Antonio Costa publicly said yesterday it was time to up pressure on Russia and support for Kyiv, rallying behind Zelensky as tensions spike with Washington.

'This is no time to withdraw the support to Ukraine. This is no time to relieve Russia's sanctions. Now it is time to increase our support, to increase our pressure,' Mr Costa told reporters flanked by Zelensky as they arrived at a summit of EU leaders in Brussels.

Meanwhile, German chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Thursday: 'We want to continue helping Ukraine. And I am pleased that Zelenskyy will be with us.

'We must do everything in our power to support Ukraine... it remains my firm conviction that we are not merely defending Ukraine’s territorial integrity; we are defending the political order of Europe, which is currently being put under intense pressure from Russia in every respect.'

Despite Mr Trump's announcement of an energy ceasefire, Zelensky resumed attacks on Vladimir Putin's oil refineries after he expressed anger over Mr Trump's 'betrayal' at a time of intense Russian attacks.

In an interview with the FT, the Ukrainian leader said the cutting off of US intelligence sharing and the simultaneous weakening of the Starlink satellite internet service was 'dangerous' for civilians.

'The block [on attacking refineries] is out. We’re done,' Zelensky said defiantly.

On Thursday, a Ukrainian drone attack on Russia's Ryazan region caused a fire to break out at a major oil refinery, marking the first Ukrainian strike on an energy facility since Mr Trump announced a surprise 'energy ceasefire' on Sunday.

Separately, a fuel terminal spectacularly reignited after blazing for five days in Rostov-on-Don in southern Russia.

Zelensky had paused energy strikes for three days to comply with US wishes but said he would now resume them because Mr Putin was still attacking Ukraine's essential ⁠infrastructure. 

Mr Putin vowed revenge following the attack at the refinery, which accounts for almost 5 per cent of Russia's total oil refining throughput.

Moscow responded by obliterating a Ukrainian supermarket in a drone strike on Thursday.

The store in the Odesa region was partially destroyed and three people were injured in the jet-powered Shahed drone attack, which Zelensky condemned as an act of 'bloody terror'.

A Russian drone strike on Ukraine's city of Kharkiv killed three people and injured at least five on Friday.

Emergency services were working at the scene and the injured were receiving medical assistance.