Asked if Trump is scapegoating him, Zelenskyy just smiles

Brussels: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy gave a knowing smile and stayed mum Friday, when asked if Donald Trump was scapegoating him for troubles in the US.

"This is my answer," Zelenskyy said, as journalists broke into laughter at a press conference in Brussels after he met EU leaders.

Zelenskyy had been asked if Trump was lashing out at the Ukrainian leader as a way to deflect from his own political strife ahead of next month's midterm elections as he is bogged down with Iran and diesel prices have soared.


The question came after Trump said he found it easier to deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin than Zelenskyy as ties have soured with Kyiv.

"Yesterday was a thousand drones in Ukraine, a thousand, but the American side said that it is difficult to speak with Zelenskyy, it's less difficult to manage with Putin," Zelenskyy said.