Zelensky seeks €70 billion as Trump condemns refinery strikes

Summary

At an EU leaders’ summit in Brussels on Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asked for an extra 70 billion euros next year to help Kyiv continue fighting Russia, France 24 reports. France 24 also says Zelensky said Ukraine depends on Starlink to intercept jet-powered Russian drones after reported disruptions to the satellite system. The South China Morning Post reports that U.S. President Donald Trump called Ukraine’s resumed strikes on Russian refineries a disgrace and said they were keeping global energy prices elevated; The Japan Times says Kyiv would no longer abide by Trump’s demands not to strike the sites. This follows earlier reports that Zelenskyy was due to visit Britain and that Burnham had pledged support for Ukraine.

Timeline

1. The Japan Times

   16 Oct 2026, 01:43 UTCSource ↗

   The Japan Times reports that Kyiv said it would no longer abide by Trump’s demands not to strike Russian oil refineries, as Zelenskyy rallied European allies amid worsening ties with Trump.

2. France 24

   16 Oct 2026, 01:50 UTCSource ↗

   France 24 reports that Zelensky asked EU leaders for an extra 70 billion euros next year at a Brussels summit and said Ukraine depends on Starlink to intercept jet-powered Russian drones; its liveblog headline says Trump called renewed refinery attacks a disgrace.

3. South China Morning Post

   16 Oct 2026, 04:56 UTCSource ↗

   The South China Morning Post reports that Trump told Newsmax Ukraine’s refinery strikes were a disgrace that kept global energy prices elevated, after Kyiv declared it was abandoning an energy ceasefire and struck a Russian refinery.