World · Europe · 2 hrs ago
EU leaders discuss more Ukraine aid as funding gap looms
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met leaders of the 27 EU countries in Brussels to discuss continued support in the war against Russia.
The talks came as Germany’s Friedrich Merz urged more EU funding to help Ukraine through the winter and into next year.
Ukraine’s finance minister has said the regular budget faces a $32.6 billion shortfall next year, with a separate $45 billion gap for defence spending; the EU Commission is checking those estimates.
Zelenskyy also raised tensions with US President Donald Trump, whose dealings with Russia and call for Zelenskyy’s removal have strained relations.
A temporary reduction in the US Starlink satellite service weakened Ukraine’s drone defences, while Russian attacks have damaged energy infrastructure and left people without power.
Zelenskyy said air defence is the top priority before winter, as the EU considers what further support to provide.
Leaders of the 27 EU countries are discussing further support for Ukraine with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at an EU summit in Brussels.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called for increasing aid to help Ukraine through the winter and into next year.
Ukraine’s finance minister said the country faces a $32.6 billion gap in its regular budget next year and a $45 billion shortfall in defense spending.
The European Commission is reviewing how reliable the Ukrainian government’s estimates are.
The talks are also expected to address tensions between Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump, including Starlink and US dealings with Russia.
- Who
- Leaders of the 27 EU countries and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
- What
- They are discussing further support for Ukraine; German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called for more funding.
- When
- At the EU summit on October 16, 2026. Zelenskyy held other meetings in Brussels on Thursday.
- Where
- Brussels.
- Why
- Ukraine needs further support as it faces budget and defense funding gaps and Russian attacks.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Ukraine’s finance minister Serhij Martschenko said in Brussels that next year’s regular budget would have a $32.6 billion gap and defense spending a $45 billion gap.
Zelenskyy met NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and held talks with leaders from France, Belgium, Denmark and Poland in Brussels.
EU leaders were due to discuss further support for Ukraine with Zelenskyy at the summit.
- EU countries
- 27
- Regular budget gap
- $32.6 billion for next year
- Defense spending gap
- $45 billion
- People without power in Volhynia
- Nearly 15,000
- Merz’s call
- Increase funding to help Ukraine through the winter and next year
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What people are saying
Ich habe heute Morgen in verschiedenen kleineren Treffen dafür plädiert, dass wir alles tun, um der Ukraine auch über den Winter zu helfen, auch im nächsten Jahr zu helfen
Wir werden hier auch noch einmal die Mittel aufstocken müssen, um der Ukraine wirklich dauerhaft zu helfen.