The key facts

  • Zelensky asked the EU for nearly $80 billion (€70 billion) in support for the next year; he received no specific promises, but the European Council instructed the Commission to prepare a funding proposal for 2027.
  • Trump called Zelensky 'more difficult to deal with than Putin' and his strikes on Russian refineries a 'disgrace'; on October 12 the US concluded a deal to purchase Russian diesel.
  • Zelensky reported Starlink and Starshield outages; Musk and the White House deny any involvement, and Kaja Kallas acknowledged that Europe cannot yet replace this capability.

Speech amid conflict with Trump

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke at the EU summit in Brussels, where he was greeted with applause from the leaders. However, as Deutsche Welle notes, getting what he needs from Europe will not be easy: his public dispute with US President Donald Trump has put him in a difficult position. 'Putin wants to destroy us,' Zelensky told journalists, adding that Ukraine must prepare for a hard winter. Olena Prokopenko, a senior fellow at the German Marshall Fund, called the coming season 'probably the most difficult winter since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion.'

Relations with the US are deteriorating

The visit to Brussels came at a moment when Ukraine needs European support more than ever: in the EU and Kyiv, concerns are growing that the US is drawing closer to Russia. Trump told Newsmax: 'I think it's harder to deal with Zelensky than with Putin.' On October 12, the US concluded a deal to purchase Russian diesel fuel, which DW sees as a departure from sanctions and a blow to Ukraine. When Zelensky ordered new strikes on Russian oil refineries, Trump called the decision a 'disgrace.' At a press conference, Zelensky said that American missiles 'are going to the Middle East, and it's no secret that we are not a priority.' Since 2022, the US has remained Ukraine's largest military donor, but relations have become complicated since the start of Trump's second term.

Starlink outages

Ukraine uses Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet, as well as the military version Starshield — for communications on the battlefield, medium-range strikes on occupied territories, and interceptor drones (but not for long-range strikes on Russia). At the summit, Zelensky spoke of his 'deep and unpleasant' surprise at the outages in the systems' operation, which, according to him, undermined Ukraine's ability to defend itself. Both Musk and the White House deny any involvement in the slowdown. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said: 'Starlink is really necessary for Ukraine, and unfortunately, in the short term Europe cannot replace this capability.' Prokopenko noted that therefore, in the medium term, Ukraine will have to rely on the US, and the EU's role is to support Kyiv's requests to the American administration. Zelensky added that Starlink speed has not been fully restored but has improved, and Ukraine is working with various countries, including France, on a partial solution.

Financial request and summit outcomes

Zelensky urged EU leaders to continue financial support, requesting nearly $80 billion (€70 billion) for the next year: 'This is a realistic amount, and I ask you to find this support. It will help us contain Russia.' Last year, the EU already provided Kyiv with a loan of about $100 billion (€90 billion), becoming its largest international sponsor. Prokopenko explained that the war is becoming more expensive, and Russian strikes on the economy are sharply reducing tax and customs revenues, so needs will grow. Closing the summit, European Council President António Costa said that Ukraine 'remains a priority' and instructed the European Commission to prepare a proposal to raise additional funds for 2027. How exactly the EU will meet the financial requirements remains unclear. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen promised that the EU 'will continue to lead,' but called on international partners to also increase their contribution. Zelensky left Brussels without specific promises or figures, but with renewed commitments of support, ending the press conference with the words: 'We will continue to live and fight with dignity.'