Politics · Other · 3 hrs ago
EU leaders reaffirm support for Ukraine and prepare new Russia sanctions
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky joined EU leaders in Brussels on October 16 for talks on support for Ukraine, its 2027 budget and its bid to join the bloc.
European Council President Antonio Costa said the EU would not withdraw support or ease sanctions on Russia, while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said support and pressure should increase.
The EU is preparing a 22nd package of sanctions against Russia, and von der Leyen said sanctions would remain while Russia continues its war.
The summit comes amid rising tensions with Washington; Kyiv says the United States has reduced intelligence sharing and restricted Ukraine’s use of Starlink.
EU leaders also welcomed reforms passed by Ukraine’s parliament that help its membership bid move forward.
The EU aims to open two more membership negotiation areas by year’s end, and leaders were expected to announce a task force to help Ukraine with rule-of-law reforms.
The EU has approved a €90 billion loan programme for 2026 and 2027, but leaders were not expected to make broad new commitments at the summit.
EU leaders said on Oct. 16 that they would continue supporting Ukraine and would not ease sanctions on Russia.
European Council President Antonio Costa called for increased support for Ukraine and increased pressure on Russia.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU was working on a 22nd package of sanctions against Russia.
Volodymyr Zelensky met EU leaders in Brussels as tensions with Washington rose.
EU leaders also backed Ukraine’s path toward EU membership and discussed reforms needed to advance it.
- Who
- EU leaders, including Antonio Costa and Ursula von der Leyen, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
- What
- EU leaders reaffirmed support for Ukraine and opposed easing sanctions on Russia. The EU is preparing a 22nd sanctions package.
- When
- Oct. 16, 2026, the final day of the EU leaders’ summit.
- Where
- Brussels, Belgium.
- Why
- EU leaders said Russia had not stopped the war and had not respected an energy ceasefire. They said support for Ukraine and pressure on Russia should increase.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Zelensky arrived in Brussels ahead of the EU leaders’ summit.
Ukraine’s parliament passed reforms that Costa and von der Leyen said allowed the EU membership bid to proceed.
Zelensky joined EU leaders on the summit’s final day and discussed support for Ukraine.
Von der Leyen announced that the EU was working on a 22nd package of sanctions against Russia.
- Sanctions
- EU working on a 22nd package against Russia
- EU loan program
- 90 billion euros for 2026 and 2027
- Summit location
- Brussels, Belgium
- Ukraine membership goal
- Open the final two clusters toward the end of 2026
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What people are saying
Our message to President Zelensky is very simple. The support of the EU to Ukraine remains as strong as ever. This is no time to withdraw support... no time to relieve Russia sanctions. It is time to increase our support, increase our pressure
there is one thing that is absolutely clear: we will not lift any sanctions as long as Russia does not stop the war.
I'm so thankful that we have such huge support from EU leaders, real leaders
You are not alone.