Zelenskyy appeals for increased EU support during Brussels summit

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attended an EU summit in Brussels on October 16, 2026, where he warned that Russia shows no readiness to end the war. Zelenskyy emphasized that failure to support Ukraine could trigger a massive refugee crisis, with up to 20 million people potentially fleeing to Europe. During his address to the 27 EU leaders, he requested an additional 70 billion euros in funding, noting that the total cost of the war for the coming year is estimated at 155 billion euros.

French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reaffirmed their commitment to Ukraine, with von der Leyen stating that the 70-billion-euro funding gap for 2027 must be addressed. Macron noted that allies will review the request, while highlighting the importance of current aid packages. Discussions also touched upon the immediate needs of Ukraine ahead of winter, including energy infrastructure and air defense capabilities, as the EU continues to link the maintenance of sanctions against Moscow to the cessation of hostilities.