European Leaders Rally Around Zelensky as Trump-Ukraine Ties Falter
Thestandard · 3 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago3 MIN
Summary
European leaders on Friday rallied around Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at an EU summit in Brussels, offering firm backing as Kyiv's relationship with Washington has sharply deteriorated and uncertainty grows over US policy toward Russia. Zelensky used the October 15-16 summit to request at least 70 billion euros in additional EU funding for 2027, warning that Ukraine's war costs would reach 155 billion euros next year while Russian strikes continue to batter the country's economy .
European Council President Antonio Costa stood alongside Zelensky to deliver a strong message of solidarity, declaring: "This is no time to withdraw the support to Ukraine. This is no time to relieve Russia's sanctions. Now it is time to increase our support, to increase our pressure" . Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten acknowledged the gravity of the situation, stating: "The situation in Ukraine is currently truly dire, with numerous Russian attacks and a tense relationship between Ukraine and the US" . German Chancellor Friedrich Merz indicated the EU would need to increase funds, saying: "We must do everything we can to help Ukraine through the winter and also to help next year" .
Key Points
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asked EU leaders at the Brussels summit to provide an additional 70 billion euros (US$79 billion) for 2027 to cover defense, weapons and national resilience
- Ukraine's war costs are projected to reach 155 billion euros in 2027, creating a significant budget shortfall despite existing 90-billion-euro EU loans
- Relations between Kyiv and Washington have soured after Trump eased sanctions on Russia in exchange for Moscow releasing diesel onto global markets
- Zelensky ordered Ukrainian forces to restart strikes on Russian oil refineries, defying Washington's demands and further infuriating the US administration
- US-controlled Starlink satellite communications have had speed limits lowered, disrupting drone interceptions and military logistics—a development Zelensky called a "very dangerous and unpleasant surprise"
Why It Matters
The rift between Washington and Kyiv marks a fundamental shift in Western unity on Ukraine, with European nations now being asked to fill a potential vacuum as the US appears to pivot toward accommodating Moscow . For Hong Kong, this realignment carries implications for global sanctions regimes and the broader question of how democratic nations respond to territorial aggression—issues that resonate directly with Hong Kong's own experience under pressure from authoritarian powers .
The rift between Washington and Kyiv marks a fundamental shift in Western unity on Ukraine, with European nations now being asked to fill a potential vacuum as the US appears to pivot toward accommodating Moscow . For Hong Kong, this realignment carries implications for global sanctions regimes and the broader question of how democratic nations respond to territorial aggression—issues that resonate directly with Hong Kong's own experience under pressure from authoritarian powers .