--- title: "Zelensky smiles when asked if Trump uses him as scapegoat" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/zelensky-smiles-when-asked-if-trump-uses-him-as-scapegoat" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/zelensky-smiles-when-asked-if-trump-uses-him-as-scapegoat" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/zelensky-smiles-when-asked-if-trump-uses-him-as-scapegoat.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/zelensky-smiles-when-asked-if-trump-uses-him-as-scapegoat" category: "Politics" area: "Ukraine" published: "2026-10-16T15:25:14.001Z" source_reported: "2026-10-16T15:02:30.384Z" updated: "2026-10-16T15:25:14.001Z" trust_score: 42 critic_score: 65 hype_score: 41 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-10-16T15:15:14.536848+00:00" --- # Zelensky smiles when asked if Trump uses him as scapegoat *Ukrainian president pauses for 15 seconds before responding to a Sky News journalist's question in Brussels.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 42 of 100, higher is better. Central claim attributed to a named body, but relies on anonymous sourcing for details about Trump's actions. - Craft 65 of 100, higher is better. Reports include quotes, attribute claims, and separate fact from comment, but lack depth on context. - Hype 41 of 100, lower is better. Headlines use loaded language like 'stirred laughter' and 'witty grin' to sensationalize the response. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - Volodymyr Zelensky was asked by a Sky News journalist if he felt used as a scapegoat for Donald Trump's domestic issues. - Zelensky paused for approximately 15 seconds before responding with a smile, "That is my answer." - The response reportedly caused laughter in the press room at the European Council in Brussels. - HotNews.ro reported that Trump had previously announced an agreement between Kyiv and Moscow not to attack energy facilities and that the war in Ukraine was causing increased diesel prices in the US. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was asked by a Sky News journalist if he felt he was being used as a scapegoat for Donald Trump's domestic problems. The question was posed during a press conference at the European Council in Brussels. Zelensky paused for approximately 15 seconds before responding with a smile, stating, "That is my answer." The response reportedly caused laughter in the press room. ## Disagreement on Trump's prior statements and Starlink restrictions HotNews.ro reported that Trump had previously announced an agreement between Kyiv and Moscow not to attack energy facilities and that the war in Ukraine was causing increased diesel prices in the US. HotNews.ro also stated that the US imposed restrictions on Starlink communications, affecting Ukrainian armed forces. ## What the coverage left out None of the right-rated reports mention the specific details provided by HotNews.ro regarding Donald Trump's prior announcement of an agreement between Kyiv and Moscow not to attack energy facilities, nor the report that the war in Ukraine was causing increased diesel prices in the US, nor the statement that the US imposed restrictions on Starlink communications affecting Ukrainian armed forces. ## Who covered it Shares of the 9 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 22% (2) - Centre: 11% (1) - Right: 67% (6) 18 of 27 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-10-16T15:15:14.536848+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 1 time; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-10-16T15:30:31.139Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - The left-rated reports focused on the question posed to Zelensky and his reaction. Meduza stated that Zelensky declined to discuss his relationship with Trump. HotNews.ro provided additional context, reporting that Trump had previously announced an agreement between Kyiv and Moscow not to attack energy facilities and that the war in Ukraine was causing increased diesel prices in the US. This report also stated that the US imposed restrictions on Starlink communications, affecting Ukrainian armed forces. ### Centre - The centre-rated report from 15min.lt highlighted Zelensky's 15-second silence and smile in response to the question about being a scapegoat for Trump's problems. It noted that he eventually said, "That is my answer," which prompted laughter in the press room. ### Right - Right-rated reports from Het Laatste Nieuws, Le Figaro, Times of India, La Nación, news-pravda.com, and Aftenposten focused on Zelensky's reaction to the question. Headlines described his response as a "witty grin," a "simple smile," or noted that he "just smiles." Several reports mentioned the 15-second silence before his response. La Nación noted Zelensky reacted to questions about Trump while calling for unity between Europe and the US. News-pravda.com stated Zelensky "could not find the words" and "only forced a smile." ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - veryLow: 1 - mixed: 1 - high: 7 - unknown: 18 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [Meduza](https://meduza.io/en/news/2026/10/16/asked-whether-trump-is-making-him-a-scapegoat-for-his-own-low-approval-ratings-zelensky-simply-smiled) — Asked whether Trump is making him a scapegoat for his own low approval ratings, Zelensky simply smiled - [Het Laatste Nieuws](https://hln.be/nieuws/kijk-zelensky-antwoordt-met-gevatte-grijns-op-vraag-of-hij-zondebok-is-voor-problemen-van-trump-in-aanloop-naar-de-midterms~a14a8495) — LOOK. Zelensky Answers with a Witty Grin to the Question of Whether He Is a “Scapegoat” for Trump’s Problems in the Run-up to the Midterms. - [Le Figaro](https://lefigaro.fr/international/volodymyr-zelensky-bouc-emissaire-de-donald-trump-sa-reponse-declenche-les-rires-de-l-assistance-a-bruxelles-20261016) — Volodymyr Zelensky, Donald Trump's "Bouc Émissaire" ? His Answer Triggers the Laughter of the Audience in Brussels - [Times of India](https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/asked-if-trump-is-scapegoating-him-zelenskyy-just-smiles/articleshow/134997620.cms) — Asked if Trump is scapegoating him, Zelenskyy just smiles - [Life.ru](https://life.ru/p/zelenskiy-usmehnulsya-na-vopros-o-tom-chto-on-stal-kozlom-otpuscheniya-dlya) — Zelensky Laughed at the Question that He Was a Scapegoat for Trump. - [aftenbladet.no](https://aftenbladet.no/utenriks/i/gdj3nB/foeler-du-deg-som-trumps-syndebukk-da-ble-zelenskyj-helt-stille) — – Do You Feel Like Trump's Scapegoat? Then Zelenskyy Fell Completely Silent - [Adevarul](https://adevarul.ro/stiri-externe/europa/zelenski-intrebat-daca-trump-il-transforma-in-2564553.html) — Zelenski, Asked if Trump Turns Him Into "the Scapegoat for the War in Iran. The Ironic Answer of the Ukrainian Leader - [RTL Info](https://rtl.be/page-videos/zelensky-bouc-emissaire-de-trump-linteresse-sourit-en-guise-de-reponse/2026-10-16/video/803583) — Is Zelensky a Trump Scapegoat? The Person Concerned Smiles in Response - [La Nación, Grupo Nación](https://nacion.com/el-mundo/esta-es-mi-respuesta-el-gesto-de-zelenski-ante-una/N7TKHHX35JFL3ELYWDB25KMQEA/story) — ‘This Is My Answer’: Zelenski’s Gesture to an Uncomfortable Question About Trump - [ТСН.ua](https://tsn.ua/politika/tse-moia-vidpovid-iak-zelenskyy-vidreahuvav-na-zapytannia-chy-zrobyv-tramp-iz-nyoho-tsapa-vidbuvayla-3191747.html) — “This Is My Answer”: How Zelensky Reacted to the Question Whether Trump Made Him a “Scapegoat” - [enikos.gr](https://enikos.gr/international/zelenski-o-poutin-thelei-na-mas-katastrepsei-i-ekkofantiki-siopi-15-defterolepton-gia-ton-trab-vinteo/2661182) — Zelensky: "Putin Wants to Destroy Us" - The Deafening 15-Second Silence for Trump - [news-pravda.com](https://news-pravda.com/world/2026/10/16/2671282.html) — "That's my answer.". Zelensky could not find the words to the journalist's uncomfortable question about Trump and only forced a smile. He was asked if Trump had made Zelensky a "scapegoat." - [Hot News](https://hotnews.ro/video-zelenski-a-fost-intrebat-daca-trump-il-foloseste-drept-tap-ispasitor-raspunsul-liderului-ucrainean-a-starnit-hohote-de-ras-la-summitul-ue-2378103) — VIDEO Zelenski Was Asked if Trump Uses It as "the scapegoat." The Answer Stirred Laughter at the EU Summit - HotNews.ro - [sigmalive.com](https://sigmalive.com/news/international/1333670/zelenski-h-oykrania-eksartatai-apo-to-starlink-ghia-anakhaitisi-rosikwn-drones) — "Are You Trump's Scapegoat?": Zelensky's Smiling Response - [lrytas.lt](https://lrytas.lt/pasaulis/ivykiai/2026/10/16/news/po-klausimo-apie-d-trumpa-iskalbinga-v-zelenskio-reakcija-44498191) — After a Question About D. Trump, V. Zelensky's Eloquent Reaction - [antena3.ro](https://antena3.ro/externe/acesta-este-raspunsul-meu-reactia-lui-zelenski-intrebat-daca-trump-il-face-tap-ispasitor-pentru-razboiul-sau-esuat-din-iran-807527.html) — "This Is My Answer. Zelenski's Reaction, Asked if Trump Makes Him "Spendable Turkey" for His Failed War in Iran - [OnAlert](https://onalert.gr/kosmos/i-antidrasi-zelenski-stin-erotisi-an-einai-apodiopompaios-tragos-tou-tramp-oi-anafores-se-patriot-starlink-kai-poutin/826745) — Zelensky's Reaction to the Question of Whether He Is Trump's “Scapegoat” — The References to Patriot, Starlink and Putin - [online-listing.com](https://online-listing.com/news/blogger/2026/10/16/that-is-my-answer-zelenskyy-smiles-at-suggestion-he-is-a-scapegoat-for-trumps-problems-europe-live/happenings) — ‘That is my answer’: Zelenskyy smiles at suggestion he is a scapegoat for Trump’s problems – Europe live - [www.ertnews.gr](https://ertnews.gr/eidiseis/diethni/zelenski-anamenoume-epipleon-70-dis-eyro-to-2027-o-apodiopompaios-tragos-tou-tramp-to-starlink-kai-oi-diapragmateyseis-me-ti-rosia) — Zelensky: We Expect an Additional 70 Billion Euros in 2027 – Trump's "Scapegoat", Starlink and Negotiations with Russia - [Actualno.com](https://actualno.com/europe/vypros-za-trymp-usmihna-zelenski-incidentite-v-bylgarija-pokazvat-golemite-riskove-za-evropa-ot-vojnata-v-ukrajna-video-news_2651198.html) — Question About Trump Made Zelensky Smile: Incidents in Bulgaria Show the Great Risks for Europe From the War in Ukraine - [Business Daily](https://businessdaily.gr/diethni/238455_o-zelenski-apanta-me-hamogelo-se-erotisi-gia-ton-tramp-kai-tis-ipa) — Zelensky Answers a Question About Trump with a Smile - [frognews.bg](https://frognews.bg/novini/zelenski-starlink-vazstanoven-napalno-tarsim-alternativi-frantsiya.html) — Zelensky: Starlink Has Not Been Fully Restored, We Are Looking for Alternatives with... - [15min.lt](https://15min.lt/naujiena/aktualu/pasaulis/paklaustas-ar-donaldas-trumpas-ji-vercia-atpirkimo-oziu-volodymyras-zelenskis-tik-nusisypsojo-57-2786700) — 15 Seconds of Silence and a Smile: Zelensky Asked if Trump Made Him a Scapegoat - [Unknown](https://glavcom.ua/world/world-politics/zelenskij-zrobiv-pokazovij-zhest-u-vidpovid-na-zapitannja-pro-trampa-video-1149611.html) — Zelensky Made a Demonstrative Gesture in Response to a Question About Trump - [dnews.gr](https://dnews.gr/eidhseis/kosmos/616849/zelenski-se-tramp-an-den-antistatho-odigoymaste-se-mia-epikindyni-katifora-vinteo) — Zelensky to Trump: "If I Don't Resist, We Are Headed Down a Dangerous Path" - [Folha de S.Paulo](https://redir.folha.com.br/redir/online/mundo/rss091/*https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/mundo/2026/10/europa-da-o-apoio-possivel-a-zelenski-que-se-ve-bode-expiatorio-de-trump.shtml) — Europe Supports Zelenski, Who Sees Trump's Scapegoat - [Aftenposten](https://aftenposten.no/verden/i/qybrRE/foeler-du-deg-som-trumps-syndebukk-da-ble-zelenskyj-helt-stille) — – Do You Feel Like Trump's Scapegoat? Then Zelenskyy Fell Completely Silent ## Questions **What was Volodymyr Zelensky asked about Donald Trump?** A Sky News journalist asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky if he felt he was being used as a scapegoat for Donald Trump's domestic problems. This question was posed during a press conference at the European Council in Brussels. **How did Zelensky respond to the question?** Zelensky paused for approximately 15 seconds before responding with a smile. He then stated, "That is my answer." This response reportedly caused laughter in the press room. **Did any reports mention specific actions by Trump related to Ukraine?** HotNews.ro reported that Donald Trump had previously announced an agreement between Kyiv and Moscow not to attack energy facilities. This report also stated that the war in Ukraine was causing increased diesel prices in the US and that the US imposed restrictions on Starlink communications affecting Ukrainian armed forces. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/politics/zelensky-smiles-when-asked-if-trump-uses-him-as-scapegoat. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Zelensky smiles when asked if Trump uses him as scapegoat", https://mediabias.news/politics/zelensky-smiles-when-asked-if-trump-uses-him-as-scapegoat