BRUSSELS, October 17 — The story begins on the final day of an EU summit in Brussels, where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy found himself navigating a dramatically shifting geopolitical landscape. European leaders pledged continued support for Ukraine amid what unfolded as a significant shift in U.S. policy under President Donald Trump. At its heart, the summit addressed Ukraine’s urgent needs as winter approaches, with Zelenskyy requesting an additional €70 billion ($79 billion) in funding for 2027 to cover defense, weapons, and resilience.
He stated the war would cost €155 billion ($175 billion) next year, highlighting the enormous financial burden facing his nation. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa emphasized the need to maintain sanctions on Russia and increase pressure.
Von der Leyen made clear the EU would not lift sanctions unless Russia stops the war, a position that took on added significance following Trump’s unilateral decision to lift sanctions on Russian oil exports and purchase diesel from the Kremlin after a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Zelenskyy thanked EU leaders for their encouragement, noting Ukraine aims to end the war quickly but must prepare for winter due to lack of Russian readiness for peace.
When asked if Trump was scapegoating him, Zelenskyy declined to comment, offering only a knowing smile before journalists laughed. The summit occurred amid growing tensions between Ukraine and the Trump administration, which has called for Zelenskyy’s removal and criticized Ukraine’s attacks on Russian energy infrastructure as a ‘disgrace.’ Earlier in the week, Ukraine reported restrictions on its use of Elon Musk’s Starshield system, a military-grade Starlink service vital for battlefield communications, though Trump denied U.S. responsibility for the limitations.
European Support Amid Shifting Alliances
French President Emmanuel Macron said Europe is working to help Ukraine strengthen its defense through satellite imagery and early-warning systems, positioning the EU as a steadfast ally despite American policy changes. Zelenskyy also praised a bilateral meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar on the summit’s sidelines, describing it as ‘very good’ and noting they discussed ‘many topics.’ This diplomatic outreach highlighted Ukraine’s efforts to maintain international support amid changing dynamics. The summit occurred as winter approached, heightening urgency for energy, air defense, and financial support to sustain Ukraine’s resistance.
For those involved in the conflict, the coming months represent a critical period where adequate resources could determine the course of the war. European leaders’ remarks came just a week after Trump’s decisions blindsided Ukraine and its allies, creating uncertainty about the future of international support.
The €70 billion ($79 billion) request now stands as a test of Europe’s commitment to maintaining pressure on Russia without the full backing of the United States.
