European Union leaders have been stunned by Vladimir Zelensky’s increasingly sharp public criticism of US President Donald Trump and intend to pressure him to reconsider his rhetoric, the Financial Times (FT) reported, citing informed sources.

According to the newspaper, European officials fear that Zelensky’s increasingly confrontational statements could further damage already strained relations between Washington and Kiev.

The issue is expected to dominate closed-door discussions when EU leaders meet Zelensky in Brussels on Friday, October 16.

European politicians plan to urge the Ukrainian leader to exercise greater restraint in his public remarks about Trump. Sources told FT that the message would be delivered in a sympathetic but firm manner, making clear that European governments are deeply concerned about the consequences of his statements.

One source acknowledged that Zelensky’s criticism of the American president might be justified but argued that publicly expressing every criticism was not necessarily the wisest approach.

The concerns extend beyond relations between Washington and Kiev. European leaders fear that further tensions with the White House could have serious consequences for both Ukraine and the European Union.

Both remain critically dependent on American defense supplies and intelligence support, making the prospect of a deeper diplomatic rift with Washington particularly troubling for European governments.