Zelenskyy Presses EU for Aid and Weapons as Rift With Trump Deepens

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asked EU leaders at a Brussels summit on Friday for nearly $80 billion (€70 billion) in additional financial support next year, as his public dispute with U.S. President Donald Trump deepens. According to DW, he left without concrete promises or figures, but with renewed pledges of support from European leaders.

Zelenskyy was applauded on arrival, DW reported. He warned that Ukraine faces a hard winter and asked Europe to provide the military power Kyiv needs to get through it.

What did Zelenskyy ask the EU for?

He asked for nearly $80 billion (€70 billion) more in 2027 and called it a realistic amount. He told leaders it would help Ukraine hold Russia back. The EU gave Kyiv a loan of about $100 billion (€90 billion) last year, which made it Ukraine's biggest international backer, according to DW.

Olena Prokopenko, a senior fellow at the German Marshall Fund of the United States, told DW that the war is becoming more expensive. She said Russian strikes are cutting Ukraine's tax and customs revenues sharply, so its needs will keep growing.

How did EU leaders respond?

European Council President Antonio Costa said Ukraine “remains a priority.” He asked the European Commission to draw up a proposal for pooling more funds for the country in 2027. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU will continue to lead, but urged international partners to do more as well.

DW noted that it looks as though the EU will try to meet Ukraine's cash demands, though how it would do so is not yet clear.

What is behind the dispute with Trump?

DW described a worsening relationship, with growing worries in the EU and Ukraine that Washington is becoming more sympathetic to Russia. Trump told Newsmax he finds Zelenskyy harder to deal with than Russian President Vladimir Putin. After Zelenskyy ordered fresh strikes on Russian oil refineries, Trump called the decision a disgrace.

DW also reported that Trump struck a deal on Oct. 12 to buy Russian diesel. The outlet described this as a step back from sanctions on Russia and a blow to Ukraine.

Zelenskyy said he knows U.S.-built missiles are being sent to the Middle East, adding that it is no secret Ukraine is not a priority. The U.S. has been Ukraine's largest military donor since Russia's full-scale invasion began in February 2022, but ties have grown more difficult since Trump's second term began, according to DW.

What is the problem with Starlink?

Ukraine relies on Starlink, the satellite internet service developed by Elon Musk. It also uses Starshield, the military-grade version, for battlefield communications, mid-range strikes on Russian-occupied territory and interceptor drones. DW said it is not used for long-range strikes inside Russia.

Zelenskyy said he was deeply and unpleasantly surprised to learn of disruptions to the systems, which he said hampered Ukraine's ability to defend itself. Musk and the White House both say they are not responsible for the slowdown. Zelenskyy said speeds have improved but are not fully restored, and that Ukraine is working with several countries, including France, on a partial solution.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Starlink is really necessary for Ukraine and that Europe cannot replace the capability in the short term. Prokopenko said that makes continued reliance on the U.S. Ukraine's most credible medium-term option, and that the EU can help by backing Kyiv's requests to Washington.

Why does it matter?

The summit shows how much Ukraine's wartime resilience now depends on both Europe's money and access to U.S.-linked technology. Prokopenko told DW that Ukraine is arguably entering its most difficult winter since the full-scale invasion. Zelenskyy said Putin wants to destroy Ukraine and that the country must prepare for the cold season.

Europe has pledged continued support, but no amount or funding mechanism has been agreed. Ukraine's access to key communications tools still depends on companies and a U.S. administration that have denied responsibility for the disruptions. Closing his press conference, Zelenskyy said: “We will keep living and fighting with dignity.”

What happens next?

The European Commission has been asked to come up with a proposal for additional funding for Ukraine in 2027. DW did not report a timeline for that proposal.

Around Prague, based on reporting by DW