World · Europe · 2 hrs ago
EU leaders plan to reaffirm support for Ukraine amid US pressure
European leaders plan to reaffirm political and military support for Ukraine at a summit in Brussels on Thursday and Friday.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to join the EU leaders on Friday morning.
The move comes amid tension with US President Donald Trump, who has threatened to ease sanctions on Russia and limit intelligence sharing with Ukraine.
Trump has also called for a change of leadership in Kyiv and urged Ukraine to stop attacking Russian refineries.
Those attacks are giving Kyiv more leverage by worsening fuel shortages in Russia and hurting the Kremlin’s ability to fund the war.
European leaders fear that pressuring Ukraine to stop could weaken its position without persuading Russia to end the fighting.
A draft summit statement criticises a reported US-Russia diesel import agreement, and EU leaders will set out their support in their final declaration.
EU leaders plan to reaffirm political and military support for Ukraine amid rising tensions with the Trump administration.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to join EU leaders in Brussels for talks on Thursday and Friday.
The planned summit declaration pledges “full and determined support” for Ukraine and criticizes a US-Russia diesel import agreement.
Trump has pressed Ukraine to stop attacks on Russian refineries and has threatened to ease sanctions and restrict intelligence cooperation, according to Handelsblatt.
Zelensky vowed to resume strikes on Russian oil refineries despite Trump’s demands, France 24 reported.
- Who
- EU leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The Trump administration is also central to the dispute.
- What
- EU leaders plan to reaffirm political and military support for Ukraine amid US pressure.
- When
- EU leaders are due to meet Thursday and Friday; Zelensky is expected Friday morning.
- Where
- Brussels.
- Why
- European leaders want to show solidarity with Ukraine amid US pressure over refinery attacks, sanctions and intelligence cooperation.
European leaders and Ukraine
Trump administration
Ukraine’s refinery attacks
European leaders and Ukraine
European leaders warn that pressuring Kyiv to stop the attacks could weaken its position; Zelensky vowed to resume strikes.
Trump administration
Trump has demanded that Ukraine stop attacking Russian refineries.
Sanctions on Russia
European leaders and Ukraine
European leaders call for support for Ukraine and, according to Politico, for sanctions to be strengthened.
Trump administration
Trump has threatened to ease US sanctions against Russia, according to Handelsblatt.
Conditions for ending the war
European leaders and Ukraine
Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski said the aggressor should be persuaded to limit its ambitions, rather than asking the victim to capitulate.
Trump administration
Trump said Putin wanted a deal more than Zelensky, according to Politico.
Trump signed the Lindsey O. Graham Russia and Iran Sanctions Act of 2026.
EU leaders are due to meet in Brussels to discuss reaffirming support for Ukraine.
Zelensky is expected to join the EU leaders’ discussions.
Zelensky sought European backing and vowed to resume strikes on Russian oil refineries, France 24 reported.
- EU summit location
- Brussels
- Summit schedule
- Thursday and Friday
- Zelensky’s expected arrival
- Friday morning
- Planned declaration
- Full and determined support” for Ukraine
- Sanctions law signed
- Lindsey O. Graham Russia and Iran Sanctions Act of 2026, on September 18
3 sources
What people are saying
In less than two years we went from the stage of no cards to the stage of don't play your cards
You end the war by persuading the aggressor to limit his level of ambition, not by asking the victim to capitulate
This is not the time to lower the sanctions regime, but to strengthen it
Let us take seriously this issue of the energy ceasefire that President Trump has talked about, not simply a refinery ceasefire but a broad energy ceasefire, because in the last week alone we've seen 200 Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure
Posts on X
Here's my full exchange with @realDonaldTrump where he said Putin wants to make a deal more than @ZelenskyyUa PAP: How are you going to make Putin abide by the ceasefire? TRUMP: I think what's happening is he wants to make a deal, and we have to get Zelensky to want to make a