Europe unites behind Ukraine amid Trump's criticism

Trump's top security adviser called Zelensky's criticism of the US president "unacceptable" and urged him to sign a critical minerals deal

- Agencies

KYIV: Volodymyr Zelensky was meeting on Thursday with US envoy Keith Kellogg after Donald Trump branded the Ukrainian leader a "dictator" and said the Russians "have the cards" in any talks to end the war.

The US has provided essential funding and arms to Ukraine, but the US president has rattled Kyiv and its European backers by opening talks with Moscow they fear could end the war on terms unacceptable to them.

Zelensky has also hit out at Trump, saying he had succumbed to Russian "disinformation" by repeating Kremlin talking points.

Amid the war of words between Kyiv and its biggest ally, Zelensky's spokesman said there would be no public statements in Kyiv following the talks with Kellogg. Typically visiting envoys, especially from such a close backer, would hold a joint press conference following talks.

"At the request of the American side, the format of the meeting provides for protocol filming and does not include statements or questions," Zelensky's spokesman Sergiy Nykyforov told reporters.

In the US, Trump's top security adviser said on Thursday that Zelensky's criticism of the US president was "unacceptable" and urged him to sign a deal giving preferential access to Ukraine's critical minerals and natural resources.

"We're getting all this pushback... they need to tone it down and take a hard look and sign that deal," National Security Advisor Mike Waltz told Fox News.