Zelenskyy's meeting with von der Leyen in New York was tense – media

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen met in New York, with the session reportedly tense due to disagreements over further financial aid and defense support. Ukraine expressed apprehension over the possibility of a Russian escalation during winter, with a shortage of air defenses to protect their cities.

EU officials countered by insisting on progress in creating new legislation to tackle the shadow economy, raise tax revenues, and align Ukrainian laws with EU regulations. Ukraine criticized the EU for removing sanctions on two Russian oligarchs as part of a deal to extend sanctions. The Ukrainian nation requested assistance from allies to bridge a budget gap of approximately EUR 26 billion ($30 billion) and pleaded the EU to expedite the release of a EUR 90 billion loan, which is meant to finance Ukraine until the end of the following year.

Zelenskyy also mentioned that Ukraine and Europe were working towards addressing the defense funding shortfall. The European Commission President later stated that further financial assistance for Ukraine would hinge on the progress of reforms in the Verkhovna Rada. She also hinted at a fresh EU-Ukraine missile defense program that could speed up manufacturing volumes.

Additional defense aid was also on the horizon, contingent on advancements in the Verkhovna Rada's reforms. Von der Leyen indicated that Europe still had EUR 37 billion remaining this calendar year.