Zelenski: "We Are Losing a Strong Partner" as Trump Sides with Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenski said Wednesday that Ukraine is losing the support of the United States, following President Donald Trump's latest agreement with Russia. Speaking in London, Zelenski told British interviewer Piers Morgan it was "painful" to watch Trump choose Russia's side. "It is painful when Trump chooses a side and it is not ours," he said. "If you are in the middle, you must stay in the middle, not on the wrong side. This is not the right side of history." When asked if he felt betrayed, Zelenski did not deny it. "It is a pity that we are losing a strong partner," he said. "We cannot be weak. If we are, we will not survive. We will not sell our country." His comments came after Trump announced he would lift sanctions to buy Russian diesel — a move that reverses a bipartisan agreement he signed only weeks ago to tighten sanctions on Russian energy. The amount of diesel is symbolic, but analysts see it as a signal of Washington's shifting position toward Moscow. **A Warm Welcome in London** Zelenski received a warm reception in London. King Charles III greeted him at Buckingham Palace, and he later met Prime Minister Andy Burnham at Downing Street. The visit included a rare military ceremony with royal guards, usually reserved for state visits. British Foreign Ministry staff applauded him at their headquarters. Burnham promised the UK would keep supporting Ukraine and asked his ministers to find new ways to help Kyiv. He also announced that British missiles against Russia's new generation of drones would be delivered earlier than planned. However, Burnham avoided criticizing Trump, saying his priority is to "repair bridges" with Washington. **Intelligence and Starlink Concerns** Ukraine says it did not receive intelligence warnings before several recent attacks on Kyiv. The US government says it still shares intelligence with Kyiv, and Zelenski did not directly blame Washington. Zelenski was more direct about Starlink, Elon Musk's satellite internet network, which Ukrainian drone units rely on. The service stopped working on the front line on Wednesday. "It is clear that this action is not a coincidence and is related to the current political situation," said Serhii Beskrestnov, an advisor to Ukraine's Defense Ministry. Government sources confirmed the outage to the Financial Times. Musk, who owns X and Starlink, has again attacked Zelenski on his platform this week. Zelenski described both issues as "difficulties" and "surprises" but gave few public details. **Europe's Gas Dilemma** The European Union still buys natural gas from Russia and has not stopped since the full-scale invasion. Sanctions set to take effect in 2027 aim to end those imports completely. In September, Spain did not buy Russian liquefied natural gas for the first time in five years, according to Enagás data. The European ban takes effect in January. Russia has continued attacks on civilians and energy infrastructure despite Trump's announced truce, showing no sign of wanting to negotiate peace. One of the most advanced negotiations involves Lukoil, a Russian energy company now sanctioned by the United States. According to The New York Times, it could sell its assets to a US investment group led by a Trump donor and Qatari investors who already do business with Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and envoy to Moscow.