Zelensky's ask: 300 Patriot missiles, 70 billion euros, and Russian assets
"Without a determined European Union capable of making strong decisions Putin would have gone much further by now," Zelensky said, before calling on the bloc to double down on its support.
President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed EU leaders at their Oct. 16 summit in Brussels, outlining Ukraine's needs to survive the winter and beyond. However, he made clear these requests come at a high cost. Zelensky expressed gratitude for existing support but warned without strong EU decisions, Russia would have exerted more influence.
Russia's increased use of ballistic missiles and drone attacks on Kyiv prompted new demands from Zelensky. He requested 300 Patriot interceptors to counter Russian missiles, along with 70 billion euros to address Ukraine's financial needs. Unfrozen Russian assets in the EU also came under discussion, but consensus on this remains elusive.
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever staunchly opposed any use of these assets, fearing Russian retaliation and potential financial instability. For his part, Zelensky sought the EU to cover Ukraine's 155 billion euro budget gap for 2027, in addition to the 70 billion euros already pledged. While some countries have offered support, a decision on these demands is not expected immediately, with Brussels discussions likely to focus on these issues in the coming weeks.
Written by urgent.news from Kyiv Independent's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
